Animal Caretaker I and II

Grade: V12 and 13

Summary:

The Animal Caretaker I and II position is based in Temple's University Laboratory Animal Resources Department (ULAR). The individual filling this position will be responsible for providing exemplary animal care, husbandry, customer service, and study support. The individual will also assume a lead husbandry role in animal procurement, front end billing, staff training, and project management. will be responsible for ensuring good husbandry, nutrition, and sanitation of animals used for research, testing, and educational purposes. The individual is also responsible for monitoring compliance with institutional animal care and use policies and federal laws.

Benefits of working at Temple University include:
Great Benefit package
Generous time off
Parental Leave
Tuition Remission
Dynamic Workforce

Click here to learn more about the benefits of working at Temple University.

Essential Functions:

* Understand and follow all ULAR SOPs, IACUC policies and guidelines, safety procedures, and Quality Assurance Standards.
* Perform daily animal health checks and reports any abnormal animal conditions to the veterinary staff. This is to include, ensuring all laboratory animals in their care always have food and water.
* Change animal caging, to include feed and water, according to ULAR SOPs and/or specific approved protocols and the schedule established by the Area Supervisor.
* Determine age, sex, and weaning times for animals according to ULAR SOPs and IACUC policy.
* Dispose of dead animals according to standard SOPs and policies.
* Assist with the restraint, handling, and manipulation of various animal species as requested by the investigators or other ULAR staff members.
* Receive, examine, transfer, identify, and properly house incoming animal shipments according to ULAR SOPs.
* Maintain daily documentation to include room logs, animal census sheets, animals care and enrichment logs, room equipment logs, and other forms as requested by the Area Supervisor. This includes ensuring all animals are tagged and cages are properly identified.
* Clean and sanitize the animal facility, assigned rooms, and cages according to ULAR SOPs.
* Maintain and repair animal caging and support equipment.
* Operate mechanical equipment such as cage washing machines, the Hydropac water delivery system, and autoclaves.
* Perform routine cleaning, descaling, and preventative maintenance on the cage washers and autoclaves, including checking and cleaning filters, and spray manifolds.
* Process dirty caging to include breaking down part, dumping bedding, and soaking caging components.
* Process clean caging and accessory equipment appropriately, including putting bedding into cages, filling water bottles, and autoclaving cages and supplies.
* Prepare and submit records, charts, logs, cage cards, and inventories as required by ULAR SOP's

Required Education & Experience:

Animal Caretaker I-Highschool/GED and six months of directly animal related experience.
Animal Caretaker II-Highschool/GED and 4.5 years of directly related experience with rodents and USDA covered species OR 3 years directly related experience with rodents and USDA covered species AND AALAS ALAT certification.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Required Skills & Abilities:
* Demonstrated ability to work with and handle rodents, USDA covered species, and other animal species involved in the Temple University animal program
* Demonstrated ability to continuously lift 50lbs. Strong organizational skills, along with the ability to be detail-oriented and to handle multiple tasks.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills.
* Demonstrated computer skills, along with the ability to operate standard office equipment and software including MS Office.
* Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with diverse population of students, faculty, and staff.
* Ability to work holiday and weekend hours, as needed.
* Ability to perform husbandry for all applicable species housed at Temple University

Preferred:
* Experience working with animals in private practice, laboratory animal or zoo setting.
* Prior experience with animal husbandry and behavior
* Prior experience with cagewash operations
* AALAS ALAT Certification eligible

This position requires a background check.

Temple University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all in every aspect of its operations, including employment, service, and educational programs. The University has pledged not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or veteran status.

Compliance Statement: In the performance of their functions as detailed in the position description employees have an obligation to avoid ethical, legal, financial and other conflicts of interest to ensure that their actions and outside activities do not conflict with their primary employment responsibilities at the institution. Employees are also expected to understand and be in compliance with applicable laws, University and employment policies and regulations, including NCAA regulations for areas and departments which their essential functions cause them to interact.

To obtain additional information about Temple University please visit our website at www.temple.edu.

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You may request a copy of the report by calling Temple University's Campus Safety Services at 215-204-7900.