Rodent Health and Colony Technician

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: over 1 year ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 17 Oct 2022

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Rodent Health and Colony Technician
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Is this position eligible for hybrid or remote work?
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202201428AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Research Associate II
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range 40,000 - 53,500
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 10/17/2022
Description of Work Unit
CSU LAR manages over 40,000 ft of AAALAC-accredited research animal facilities on three campuses, including Main Campus, Veterinary Medical Center, and the Judson M. Harper Complex. Research and teaching activities supported by LAR include infectious disease research, including ABSL3 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. This position is a full-time, 12-month administrative professional position that will be integral to facilitating research activities at CSU that utilize animal models.
Position Summary
The Rodent Health and Colony Technician position will fulfill the role of technical management of the experimental and breeding rodent colonies in support of the LAR department, staff, investigators, and associates. The job duties for this position include assessment and management of all rodent medical cases; management and facilitation of rodent breeding colonies for investigators; and record keeping and timely communication with customers. This position will also assist in veterinary technical services when needed; and assist in training services as needed.
This position will also assist with other Veterinary Technical Services duties including sentinel/rodent health surveillance, import/export of rodents, non-rodent care, handling, and treatments; anesthesia support; and equipment and supply support services.
The animal care and technical services work required of this position is physical, and entails standing, bending, lifting, carrying up to 50 pounds, repetitive motions, and some duties outside of normal work hours. Work occurs in various environments including outdoors, close quarters, increased heat and humidity, loud volumes, and dusty surroundings. Technical services staff also work with hazards such as gas anesthetics, radiological imaging modalities, and compressed gas cylinders. Some research at CSU involves infectious diseases and the biosecurity and the safety of staff is ensured 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 technical services staff 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
  • Bachelor’s degree with 3 years of relevant, vertebrate animal experience.
  • One year of experience providing technical Animal Services in a research facility, or other similar environment.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one by the position start date and pass a yearly motor vehicle check. Or must have access to a licensed driver.
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Experience working with a variety of animal species, with an emphasis on rodents.
  • Experience with rodent colony breeding or genetic management
  • AALAS certification (LAT or LATg), and/or a credentialed Veterinary Technician (LVT, RVT, or CVT)
  • Experience or training related to ABSL2 and ABSL3 biocontainment.
  • Experience performing animal medical assessments and monitoring health conditions.
  • Experience providing veterinary directed care and treatments to animals, including injections and blood collection
  • Experience performing animal husbandry (providing food, water, enrichment, cleaning, sanitation, etc.)
  • Experience following SOPs, protocols, or other procedural guidelines.
  • Experience with generating and maintaining records such as medical, inventory, maintenance logs, etc.
  • Experience performing techniques common to research animals.
  • Experience in training others to perform animal research techniques.
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 Rodent Health Technician
Duty/Responsibility
Daily monitoring of rodent medical case submissions with prompt attention to new cases, monitoring of ongoing cases with appropriately times rechecks, administering treatments based on prescribed schedules, communicating with veterinarians and investigators about case progress, recommending euthanasia of animals when appropriate.
Percentage Of Time 40
Job Duty Category Rodent Breeding Colony Technician
Duty/Responsibility
Management of all rodent (primarily mouse) breeding colonies including mating, weaning, genotyping, and culling as warranted based on approved investigator protocols.
Communicating with investigators regarding ongoing needs of the various colonies in order to provide accurate and necessary animal numbers.
Monitoring for colony health issues in order to protect breeding efficiencies.
Percentage Of Time 35
Job Duty Category Technical Services Support
Duty/Responsibility
Assist with the coordination and performance of technical services for research studies such as rabbit antibody production, anesthesia of large and small animals, pre and post-operative care, blood sample collection, oral gavaging, and injections.
Provide timely and effective customer communication, both written and verbal, in the course of all duties.
Assist in the provision of specialized husbandry services as needed for surgical and anesthesia projects, including after-hours treatments and care when needed.
Assist in the estimating and tracking of associated Technical Services, Supplies, and Equipment charges, with timely submission of documents to the Business Office.
Percentage Of Time 15
Job Duty Category Training Services Assistance
Duty/Responsibility
Assist the Training Coordinator with workshops, which may include: Basic Research Techniques, Rodent Necropsy, Rodent Anesthesia, Basic Research Techniques with Rats, Basic Research Techniques with Guinea pigs, and protocol specific technical training. Training includes: handling, restraint, identification, injections, blood collection, oral gavage, cardiac blood collections, and euthanasia.
Work with PI’s and research associates to design and deliver protocol specific training on a case by case basis.
Assist Training Coordinator in providing hands on training as well as skills assessments to ensure proficiency in research animal techniques.
Percentage Of Time 10

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
For full consideration, please apply by 10/17/2022 with a cover letter that addresses the required and preferred job qualifications, a resume and the contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
This position will remain open until filled. 
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License
Search Contact [email protected]
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, [email protected] .
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, [email protected] .
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, [email protected] .
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 for the finalist before a final offer. 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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