Research Animal Caretaker

Job Title

Research Animal Caretaker

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Comparative Medicine Program

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

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 by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Who We Are

The Comparative Medicine Program (CMP) enhances excellence in research and teaching at Texas A&M through high quality animal care. We provide a variety of services to researchers at the university through standard and specialized facilities. These services include the procurement of animals and animal husbandry supplies, provision of veterinary care, use of CMP surgical facilities, a polyclonal antibody production service, technical support services, and animal use training services. To learn more, visit https://vpr.tamu.edu/manage-research/cmp .

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. The preferred candidate will have knowledge of animal care and safety processes, have great oral and written communication skills, organizational skills and the ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others. We seek to hire a candidate who will support our commitment to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences per our Core Values . If the description sounds interesting to you, we invite you to apply to be considered for this opportunity to join our team

What You Need To Know

Compensation will be commensurate to selected hire’s experience.

A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses and Certifications:

• Must have a Class “C” vehicle operator’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

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

Preferred Qualifications:

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

Why Texas A&M University? 

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences.  Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes. 

• Health , dental , vision , life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays 

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave  and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month

• Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas 

• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time

• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning  training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more 

• Employee Tuition Assistance and Educational Release time   for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

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.