Vivarium Support Technician (Temp-to-Hire)

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI); United States; On-site; USD 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) in Ashburn, VA is hiring for a Vivarium Support Technician to clean, sanitize, and maintain cagewash materials and vivarium spaces. The role involves working with mice, rats, and zebrafish under supervision, with a focus on timely task completion in a collaborative team environment.

This is a 3-month temporary position with potential for extension or permanent conversion based on business needs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; relevant post-secondary education preferred but not required.
• Experience operating mechanical washing equipment is highly desirable.
• Strong communication and ability to work in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Operate equipment in the cagewash facility according to safety guidelines.
• Sanitize, maintain, and repair caging materials as needed.
• Maintain clean and organized cagewash facilities and keep records.
• Monitor daily operation of cagewash equipment and perform routine maintenance.
• Assist with receipt, stocking, and maintenance of supply inventories.
• Interact with customers and provide technical assistance as needed.
• Dispose of animal carcasses, biohazards, and chemical hazards following procedures.
• Clean and sanitize vivarium spaces.

Skills

Mechanical washing equipment

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Independent work

Adaptability

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Cagewash equipment

Job description

Primary Work Address: 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA, 20147

About the role

In this role, you will provide vivarium support by cleaning, sanitizing, and maintaining all animal caging materials, cagewash equipment, and vivarium spaces to support scientific research at Janelia. This will include caging for a variety of laboratory animal species, including, but not limited to mice, rats, and zebrafish. Under minimal supervision, the position will be focused on meeting the needs of the vivarium and exhibiting good time management. This will support the Janelia researchers conducting basic science in a dynamic team-oriented environment. Please note, this is a 3-month temporary position with the potential to be extended or become permanent based on business needs.

About the Vivarium

The Vivarium at Janelia is an AAALAC accredited facility that supports ground-breaking research in a variety of animal models (currently with a focus on mice, rats, and zebrafish) and is one of the highest regarded in the world. Vivarium operations are designed to enhance scientific progress and impact, while providing best-in-class welfare for, and responsible use of, laboratory animals. Our approach involves Vivarium staff working very closely with our scientists by taking responsibility and ownership of processes that involve animals, but are not data driven, to allow researchers to focus on data intensive tasks.

What we provide

An opportunity to broaden research experience in a collaborative environment. A team that believes in continuous learning and cultivates an environment of collaboration. Once trained, flexible schedule

What you’ll do

• Operate equipment in the cagewash facility; including a rack washer, robotic index washer and sterilizers, according to safety guidelines.
• Sanitize, maintain, and repair caging materials as needed.
• Maintain cagewash facilities in a clean and organized manner, in adherence with all facility requirements.
• Monitor daily operation of cagewash equipment, including proper function, and user level maintenance.
• Maintain and record appropriate data for all duties completed. (e.g. written records, charts, logs and inventories.)
• Assist with the receipt, stocking, and maintenance of supply inventories.
• Actively interact with customers as required to resolve customer requests, inquiries, and complaints and to provide technical assistance.
• Dispose of animal carcasses, biohazards, and chemical hazards following established procedures.
• Clean and sanitize facility.

What you bring

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required.
• One year post high school experience working with mechanical washing equipment; minimum of six (6) months experience working in a research animal facility preferred.
• Enthusiasm and self-motivation, with the ability to make and meet commitments, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to learn tasks quickly and balance multiple requests.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office and/or Google Docs.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative, rapidly changing team environment to accomplish mutual goals.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication, written and verbal, skills to deal effectively with research scientists, laboratory technical staff, administrative staff, and management.

Physical Requirements

• Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace.
• The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).
• Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Hiring Pay Range

$18.00 - $19.15 Pay Type: Hourly The posted range reflects HHMI's good faith estimate of the anticipated hiring salary range for this role at the time of posting. Actual hiring compensation is determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more.

HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.

Why HHMI

To move science forward we need a diverse collection of talents, expertise, and backgrounds in scientific research and science education, as well as communications, finance, human resources, information technology, investments, law, and operations. At HHMI, we encourage collaborative and results-driven working styles and offer an adaptable environment where employees can do their best work. What makes us strong is the diversity of our perspectives. We work to promote a culture of inclusion in our work environments and across the greater scientific community. To find more information about us and the steps we’re taking to make HHMI a more inclusive organization, visit our About Us page.

Applicants have rights under federal employment laws. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please review these posters: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Know Your Rights, and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).

All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.