Research Associate Animal Technician - Open Pool

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: 5 days ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 31 Mar 2024

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Research Associate Animal Technician - Open Pool
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Work Location Position is fully in-office/in-person
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202300550AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week
Proposed Annual Salary Range $39,719 - $65,219
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ & https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ .
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 03/31/2024
Description of Work Unit
Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.
The mission of Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR) is to use our expertise to provide the highest standard of care for laboratory animals in support of the Colorado State University research community. These positions fulfill a vital role in the administration of LAR to carry out this mission. CSU LAR manages over 48,000 ft. of AAALAC accredited research animal facilities on three campuses, including Main Campus, South Campus, and Foothills Campus. Research and teaching activities supported by LAR include infectious disease research, including ABSL work using select agents, cancer biology, hibernation, nutrition, and metabolism studies, orthopedic research, therapeutics, toxicology and teaching activities to support a diverse program of learning. LAR exists to provide state of the art care and support for the animal models component of these studies.
Position Summary
Research Associate Animal Technician positions are available throughout the year in Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR) at Colorado State University. These positions are full-time, 12 month administrative professional positions that will be integral to facilitating research activities at CSU that utilize animal models.
This position provides routine and specialized care for a variety of laboratory animal species. Animal welfare and assessments, animal husbandry and room and cage sanitation are the primary job duties for this position. Additional duties include record keeping and communication tasks as well as research support.
Animal husbandry work is physical, and entails standing, bending, lifting, and carrying up to 50 pounds, and repetitive motions. Staff work in various environments including outdoors, close quarters, increased heat and humidity and dusty surroundings. Some of the research at CSU involves infectious diseases. We ensure biosecurity and the safety of our staff by requiring personal protective equipment (such as respirators and Tyvek suits), tuberculosis testing, vaccinations and showering. CSU has a large variety of animal species, and applicants must be willing and able to work with all types of animals. Staff are expected to work safely, and adhere to all safety instructions and rules at all times.
Required Job Qualifications
  • High School Diploma, General Education Development (GED) or equivalent.
  • 6+ months of professional or volunteer experience performing vertebrate animal husbandry (providing food, water, enrichment, cleaning, and sanitation).
  • Must have a valid driver’s license and pass an annual motor vehicle check to drive department owned vehicles.
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Experience working with a variety of animal species.
  • Experience working in a research setting, biomedical research preferred.
  • American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification (Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT), Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) or Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATg)).
  • Experience or training related to Animal Biosafety Level 2 (ABSL2) and Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL3) biocontainment.
  • Experience performing animal welfare assessment and monitoring environmental conditions.
  • 1+ year’s professional or volunteer experience performing vertebrate animal husbandry (providing food, water, enrichment, cleaning, sanitation, etc.) with multiple animal species.
  • Experience following SOP’s, protocols or other procedural guidelines.
  • Experience with generating and maintaining records such as medical, inventory, maintenance logs, etc.
  • A degree in a related field such as animal sciences, veterinary technology, zoology, etc.
Diversity Statement
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Animal Welfare and Environment Assessments
Duty/Responsibility
  • Perform daily animal welfare checks to assess animal behavior and well-being.
  • Identify and report any abnormalities to the veterinary staff and/or research staff. 
  • Assist in treatments as directed by the veterinary staff. Perform routine procedures such as weighing animals, nail/hoof trims, etc. as outlined in the LAR SOPs as appropriate for the given species and research application. 
  • Euthanize or assist in euthanizing animals as directed. 
  • Perform room/stall environment checks daily including recording temperature and humidity, overall room condition, and room/stall sanitation. 
  • Participates in training new animal husbandry staff for this and all job duties.
Percentage Of Time 30
Job Duty Category Animal Husbandry
Duty/Responsibility
  • Perform routine husbandry including providing appropriate feed and water and housing conditions. 
  • These duties are performed as outlined in the LAR animal care SOPs as appropriate for the given species and research/teaching application. 
  • Prepare room/barn for incoming animals. 
  • Prepare and stock animal rooms with feed, water and other supplies as directed, and in particular for weekend coverage. 
  • Assure the appropriate cage cards are in place to accurately track animal numbers. 
  • Count animals based upon protocol, project, cage card, or other parameters for regulatory and billing purposes. 
  • These duties may be performed in an Animal Biosafety Level 3 containment area. 
  • Follow biosecurity practices to minimize cross contamination.
Percentage Of Time 30
Job Duty Category Room and Cage Sanitation
Duty/Responsibility
  • Using the appropriate disinfectants and cleaning agents, disinfect and sanitize in and around animal holding areas prior to receipt of animals and on a scheduled basis as outlined in the LAR SOPs as appropriate for the given species. 
  • Perform quality assurance standards to assess adequacy of disinfectants. 
  • Work with sterilized equipment taking precautions to avoid cross contamination. 
  • Work in the cage wash rooms; process dirty cages and other materials (dirty side). 
  • Work safely with the cage wash machines and chemicals in accordance with SOPs. 
  • Process and store clean cages and other materials (clean side).
Percentage Of Time 20
Job Duty Category Record Keeping and Communication
Duty/Responsibility
  • Complete daily records for animal husbandry duties and medical treatments. 
  • Submit electronic medical records and work orders as needed and in a timely manner. 
  • Maintain appropriate feed and disinfectant logs to track regular usage to assure materials are used within the appropriate amount of time. 
  • Complete records as needed for various assurances to animal welfare regulatory agencies the IACUC, Good Laboratory Practices. 
  • Maintain appropriate communications with research staff, supervisors, veterinarians and coworkers. 
  • Attend regularly scheduled staff and research meetings, and continuing education events. 
  • Check work e-mail daily, and remain current with occupational health and training requirements.
Percentage Of Time 15
Job Duty Category Research Support
Duty/Responsibility
  • Assist with common research procedures as requested such as substance administration, collection, genotyping, and post-operative care.
Percentage Of Time 5

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
This is an open pool, and applicants will be contacted when a position becomes available.
Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume that address how the applicant’s experiences align with the minimum and preferred qualifications. Three professional references are required, including e-mail addresses.
References will not be contacted without prior notification of the candidate.
This open pool is valid through March 31, 2024. Applicants wishing to be considered beyond this date must reapply.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Search Contact Janel.Trumble@colostate.edu
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, titleix@colostate.edu .
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu .
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu .
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

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