Animal Technician III (Phoenix, AZ)

University Animal Care (UAC) at the University of Arizona is in search of an Animal Technician III. Animal Technician III is responsible for cage wash duties and facility cleaning. The incumbent will also be trained to provide care for a variety of animal species in a biomedical research setting. Work is performed under minimal supervision with assigned general expectations. The work schedule includes participation in the Animal Care Program during regular business hours, some weekend hours, on a holiday rotation schedule, and may include compensated overtime.

University Animal Care (UAC) provides humane and appropriate animal care, ensuring that the highest standards are met so that each animal's well-being is attended to. This includes providing for the animals' daily needs for clean, safe housing and access to fresh food and water; the provision of necessary veterinary care; and the monitoring of the use of animals by principal investigators and their personnel.

We provide services and resources needed by investigators to accomplish their research objectives and provide training in laboratory animal care and use to technical personnel, students, and faculty.

Our staff, through contacts with the media and the public, works to enhance understanding and support for the humane use of animals in research and teaching programs at the University of Arizona.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here .

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Dirty side cage wash duties - Incumbent is expected to break down cages that are no longer in use and clean equipment that is rotated out of animal spaces, including using an air compressor. Incumbent is expected to wrap and move pallets for recycling and assist with the pick up of dirty pallets. Assists with removal of facility trash. Operate dump stations, tunnel washers, rack washers, autoclaves, and bedding dispensers.
• Cleaning and Sterilization - Perform routine maintenance and cleaning of animal facility spaces to include animal housing rooms, procedures rooms, and staff support areas.  May include laundry, routine custodial activities such as dusting, mopping, removing trash, and transporting trash to dumpster locations. Run sterilization on supplies that are used in animal cages and procedures per out SOPs. Report problems or equipment malfunctions. May perform quality assurance tasks as directed.
• Clean side cage wash duties - Incumbent is expected to make cages for Lab staff used for breeding, weaning, and experiments. Incumbent will make cages for animals incoming into the facility. Prepare caging and load for sanitization and sterilization. May participate in daily maintenance and ordering of equipment, materials, and supplies to keep stocks and inventories for animal care activities.
• Under direction of the Animal Care Manager, Veterinarian, and senior Animal Care Staff, provide care and maintenance for rodent species housed in the Phoenix Animal Facility as needed to cover time off requests or census growth.  Care includes daily health observations, providing feed and water, changing cages, weaning and sexing rodents, reporting animal health concerns to Veterinary Services, administering routine clinical treatments to rodent species, and performing humane euthanasia, etc.
• Understand and follow all UAC SOPs.  Complete all required university and department level initial and annual refresher trainings needed to work safely in an animal research environment.
• Additional duties may be assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work efficiently and with accuracy with minimal direct supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively with different groups/individuals.
• Problem solving skills.
• Knowledge of basic animal husbandry principles.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to move/lift/transport up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to maneuver cages, carts, and racks within the facility, which are on wheels and can weigh over 150 lbs.

• High school diploma or equivalent, or equivalent learning attained through experience and 5 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy .

• Bachelor’s or Associate degree in animal science or related field; experience caring for animals in a professional setting.