Auxiliary Technician I

This competition is restricted to current/continuing students of the University of Alberta.

This competition will be used to fill up to 3 positions with a term end date of September 1, 2022.

Working for the Department

Science Animal Support Services (SASS) houses and provides husbandry for a variety of species used by Researchers and Instructors holding Animal Use Protocols (AUP) approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) Biosciences. Terrestrial species normally include mice, rats, other rodents, rabbits, songbirds and pigeons housed in conventional environments. Aquatic species normally include zebrafish and a variety of other freshwater and marine species. Care is provided 365 days/year. 

Position Summary

Reporting to the Operations Supervisor, the Auxiliary Technician I is responsible for animal care, maintenance and husbandry as well as various experimental and technical duties in SASS. This position will be able to work in the aquatics and terrestrial facility no matter the species, and provide technical assistance to the Researchers.

Duties

• Providing care and maintenance to a variety of animals including feeding, watering, regular weighing, health checks and health monitoring, cage changing, animal room cleaning and sanitation, and use of related equipment according to facility standard operating procedures
• Advising and reporting on animal health issues to the Operations Supervisor
• Administering special feeding programs and addition/modification of supplements as specified
• Maintaining detailed records on animal health including intake, weight changes, discharges, environmental conditions, and other required information
• Working on multiple research projects and performing a variety of specialized/complex technical procedures under the direction of principal investigators or other senior SASS staff members, while following complex SOPs
• Identifying when new SOPs are required and maintaining or modifying existing ones in consultation with the Operations Supervisor and approved by the ACUC
• Responsible for post-op monitoring and reporting to the Operations Supervisor for further assessment as necessary
• Maintaining detailed records with respect to experimental/technical duties

Qualifications

• Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, organizational and time management skills; accuracy and attention to detail are required
• Ability to handle a wide variety of animal species.
• CPR/First Aid, WHMIS training; Biosafety
• Heavy lifting (ability to lift 50 lbs), repetitive job movements, lots of walking, animal restraint, pulling/pushing equipment

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.