Research Animal Caretaker-3

Job Title

Research Animal Caretaker-3

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Comparative Medicine Program

Proposed Minimum Salary

$13.00 hourly

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Temporary/Casual Staff (Fixed Term)

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

The Comparative Medicine Program (CMP) is the centrally administered support service for animal research and teaching programs at Texas A&M University, College Station. The program's facilities and services are available for all Texas A&M campus affiliated faculty, staff, and students who have been approved to conduct animal research by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). CMP is accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) through its affiliation with other AAALAC-accredited Texas A&M programs.

What we want

The CMP is seeking a Research Animal Caretaker who will be responsible for husbandry duties for laboratory animals, sanitation of assigned animal holding rooms, and maintenance of assigned support areas.  Although no experience is necessary, the preferred candidate will have knowledge of animal care and safety processes. The selected candidate will subscribe to and support our commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability as stated above. If the description sounds interesting to you, we invite you to apply to be considered for this opportunity.

What you need to know

Salary: $13/hr.

Position Details: Must be available to work outside of normal business hours; such as a Tuesday through Saturday shift or a Sunday through Thursday shift. Must work weekends and holidays as required. 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.

Other Factors: Must be able to lift or move heavy objects and move/push/pull carts on weight bearing wheels carrying heavy loads. Must be able to tolerate a significant amount of bending, stretching, walking, and/or moving. Must have the ability to work with animals, latex, waste products, or bedding.

Special Note: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended. You may upload them on the application under the CV/Resume section.

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:

• High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Licenses and Certifications:

• Class C Driver's License or the ability to obtain with 30 days of hire

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Oral and written communication skills. Organizational skills. Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of animal care and safety processes. Ability to cultivate and maintain professional working relationships with people of diverse backgrounds

Responsibilities:

• Animal Handling and Husbandry - Performs husbandry and care for research animals for assigned conventional, specific pathogen free (SPF), biohazard contained and barrier reared laboratory animal colonies. Follows established protocols and procedures and ensures that care supports animal wellbeing, and that facilities and practices are compliant with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines concerning quality assurance and laboratory animal care and use.  Transports animals, requiring the operation of University motor vehicle.              

• Sanitation, Maintenance, & Cage Wash - Will be trained in and may perform the following: cage wash duties for assigned conventional and specific pathogen free research animal colonies. Follows established protocols and procedures and ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and guidelines concerning quality assurance and laboratory animal care and use. Cleans and maintains laboratory animal care and cage wash areas as well as a variety of animal housing equipment. Documents sanitation and maintenance of assigned areas. Operates, cleans, maintains laboratory animal cages and related laboratory animal equipment including cage washers and autoclaves, reporting malfunctioning or broken equipment and documenting daily equipment performance. Transports caging equipment, bulk feed, and bedding materials requiring the operation of University motor vehicle.

• Observation & Record Keeping - Observes all laboratory animals in assigned work areas and reports any conditions that might indicate illness, injury or distress in accordance with established protocols, procedures and guidelines concerning quality assurance and laboratory animal care and use.  Records accurate daily observations of animals and environmental parameters.

• Continued Education & Training - Participates in training and continued education activities as provided by CMP and required by federal guidelines and accreditation standards. Interacts and communicates effectively with Texas A&M University research staff and Comparative Medicine Program (CMP) staff. Attends meetings as needed to improve skills and knowledge or as required by management. 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.