Animal Care II

Job Summary:

This full-time, University Staff (unclassified) Animal Care II position will provide animal care and husbandry for research laboratory animals by feeding, watering, changing/cleaning/sanitizing soiled cages; evaluate animals for basic health status; keep records concerning environment, daily work activities and animal census; clean, sanitize and autoclave animal cages and equipment/supplies and prepare such for reuse. This position may assist with interviews for new hires. This position will also act as a lead technician that may train employees, audit work areas, and assist supervisors with daily adjustments in work assignments. 

Key Responsibilities:

The Animal Care Technician II position assists with oversight of husbandry tasks. Duties include: changing and/or cleaning soiled animal cages and/or pens, feeding devices and watering devices. Evaluates the basic health status of animals and reports abnormalities to the appropriate personnel.  Weighs, administers medications, , records breeding status data, weans, euthanizes, restrains, collects samples, performs identification (i.e. tattoo, ear tag, ear punch, etc.), houses and transports laboratory animals as directed by Supervisor, Veterinarian or Lab. Contact appropriate personnel regarding dead/sick animals, overcrowded cages, euthanasia requests and specific project requirements via e-mail or phone. Collect soiled animal bedding and other wastes and transports to designated waste disposal sites (i.e. cage washroom or dumpster). Procure animal feed and supplies from appropriate support areas and transports to required use site.  Records daily animal care activities on room check-sheets, contacts appropriate personnel regarding dead/sick animals via e-mail, flag or phone. Scans cage cards to record animal census in the animal rooms. Selects, prepares, dispenses and utilizes hazardous chemicals and disinfectants according to manufacturer’s instructions in cleaning and sanitizing animal rooms, racks, cages and pens and animal support areas. Operates mechanical equipment used to clean and sanitize surfaces. Cleans/sanitizes/disinfects animal holding rooms, procedure rooms, support rooms. Other duties relating to animal husbandry as assigned.

Monitors the progress of the assigned work area by ensuring that all SOPs/policies are being followed, assigns and adjusts coverage for their assigned area to accommodate employee absences. Performs room audits of established areas to ensure SOP/policy compliance, this includes auditing supplies and storage areas. Ensure that all appropriate documentation is completed for all rooms assigned to their area. Performs and monitors the completion of various technical assignments offered by the department including; weaning, ear tagging, transferring of animals, tail snips, injections and overall health monitoring of the rooms in their assigned care by working closely with a Supervisor, Veterinarian or Veterinary Technician. Is able to mentor/train others regarding all aspects of animal husbandry and breeding maintenance, provides input into areas that should be covered by performance plans and provides feedback to supervisors for preparation of evaluations.  On occasion may be required to drive a University vehicle to transport animals and/or supplies, in case of emergency

Work Location:

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, CO.

Why Join Us:

CU Denver | Anschutz is an AAALAC-accredited, OLAW assured institution that is in the top 25 of NIH-funded universities. We provide veterinary care for a wide variety of species and areas of research. We value teamwork, personal well-being, high standards of animal care, teaching, and service to the university and national field.  The University of Colorado offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, tuition benefits, ECO pass, paid time off – vacation, sick, holidays and more. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits-wellness .

Diversity and Equity:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty and administrative staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons within the LGBTQ+ community and all veterans. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two years of experience caring for, feeding, or providing health care for animals in a veterinary laboratory, breeding, or boarding facility. One of the two years of the experience must be for research and/or instructional purposes.
  • Substitution:  College coursework in veterinary technology, animal science, biology, or a related field of study related to the work assignment may substitute year-for-year for the general experience.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Oral communication skills with the ability to exchange and collect information.
• Ability to communicate effectively in written form, which includes the ability to check for typographical, grammatical and spelling errors.
• Ability to enter data in a database.
• Ability to handle rodents.
• Perform repetitious tasks of a dexterous nature (i.e. ear tagging and tattooing, etc. on large numbers of animals).
• Knowledge of an animal research facility.
• Ability to maintain an activity log.
• Ability to work with complex machinery.
• Planning and organizational skills.
• Mechanical ability.
• Physical ability.
• Ability to teach and lead others by example.
• Provide high quality customer service

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1.     A Cover Letter describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position.

2.     Three references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address.

Questions should be directed to: Maria Montero, [email protected]

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by April 10, 2024

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range ) for this position has been established as $45,000 - $49,500.

The above salary range (or hiring range ) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [email protected] ​.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases . If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program .