Animal Caretaker II

Job Title

Animal Caretaker II

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Dean Of Veterinary Medicine

Proposed Minimum Salary

$10.32 hourly

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment for all visitors, students, faculty, and staff by promoting a culture that embraces inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability.  Diverse perspectives, talents, and identities are vital to accomplishing our mission and living our core values .

Who we are

Welcome to the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM). From the over 550 students in our DVM program , to the 2,355 students in our dynamic Biomedical Science Undergraduate Program , to the 150 outstanding graduate students involved in quality research projects throughout the college, we’re engaged in preparing our students to meet the public and animal health needs of the 21st century and beyond. We’re proud of our college, our facilities and our programs, but it’s the people that make it all work—we’re enormously proud of our faculty, staff, and students!

What we want

The Animal Caretaker II, under supervision, provides animals and facilities care including handling and restraint of research animals; operates mechanical equipment; performs minor maintenance repair; and provides occasional student worker supervision. The selected candidate will subscribe to and support our commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability as stated above. If the description sounds exciting to you, we invite you to apply to be considered for this opportunity.

What you need to know

COVID-19 information:  Texas A&M University monitors local, state and federally mandated health guidelines to keep students, employees, prospective employees, and visitors as safe as possible. For the latest information regarding Texas A&M’s COVID-19 response, please visit the University’s COVID-19 website . For COVID-19 employment-related information, please visit the Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness’ COVID-19 website .

Required Education and Experience:

• High school graduate or GED

• Two years of experience in animal care and handling

Required Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license and good driving record

• Must be able to obtain State of Texas class “C” vehicle operator’s license within 30 days of employment

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others

• Obtain and maintain Rabies prophylaxis, Aseptic Technique certification, TAMU required training

Other Requirements or Factors:

• Ability to work around animals, dust or hay

• Physical ability to move or lift heavy loads and stand for several hours at a time

• Persons in this position are considered essential when the University declares an emergency, campus closure, class cancellations, etc., and are therefore required to report to work and remain on duty unless/until relieved by the direct supervisor. May be required to work alternate shift as needed to provide for mission of the college

Preferred Experience:

• More than two years’ experience in animal handling and care in TAMU System

• Degree in animal science or related, Certified Veterinary Assistant, AAALAC / AALAS certification

Preferred Licenses and Certifications:

• Forklift certification or ability to obtain

Preferred Other Factors:

• TAMU experience within Comparative Medicine program or other teaching environment

Responsibilities:

• Cleaning and Sanitation - Cleans and disinfects animal, surgical, anesthesia, and teaching areas to include indoor and outdoor facilities per SOP. Cleans floors, walls, bedding, sinks, corridors, windows, ceilings and cabinets. May require working above ground level. Cleans and disinfects corridors after animals are dismissed. Empties manure cans and trash receptacles daily, which includes scrubbing and disinfecting. Transports animals and supplies, operating a forklift, university vehicle, and other related equipment as advised. Maintains care and service of equipment. Launders and folds bedding, surgical items, or other items as directed.

• Animal Husbandry - Provides feed, water and care to animals in stalls and cage or moves heavy loads. Stocks bedding and feeding areas. Assists, under the direct supervision of faculty or technicians, during the transportation and positioning of animals for teaching labs or surgical procedures or while patient is recovering after and monitors behavior, problems or conditions that develop with animals under care and report to appropriate medical staff or supervisor. Feeds and cares for animal as directed. Transports animal feed from storage area. Handles, restrains, and transports animals for teaching labs to include dogs, cats, goats, rats, horses, and cattle. Brushes, bathes, dries, and exercises animals as directed.

• Transportation - Transports tissue to and from biowaste facility as needed / directed. Assists with necropsy procedures.

• Teaching model care - Looks after various teaching models used in the curriculum to include intensive SynDaver care following department standard operating procedures and schedule.  

• Student instruction setup and breakdown - Assists with setup of various teaching labs not limited to preparation of models, animals, and various supplies. Assists with breakdown upon lab completion. Instructs students on animal handling skills. Assists with surgical pack preparation; to include washing instruments, sorting and packing instruments, pack wrapping, and autoclave use. Performs other duties as assigned.

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to diversity.