Animal Attendant

McGill University • Montreal, QC

1d • CA$22 - CA$27 • Onsite

About The Position

This position involves assisting in the proper care and maintenance of animals, including feeding, cleaning, and providing enrichment according to established standards and schedules. The role also includes monitoring animal health, assisting with treatments, and managing the receiving and shipping of animals. Facility maintenance, equipment processing, and acting as a resource person for research staff are also key responsibilities. The schedule is based on a 5-day shift, including weekends, and may require supporting different areas of CMARC. Use of Personal Protective Equipment is mandatory, and participation in OHP is mandatory for personnel in contact with non-human primates.

Requirements

• High School Diploma
• 6 Months Related Experience
• Authorized to work in Canada
• Willing to work in the province of Quebec
• Knowledge of English (level # on a scale of 0-4)

Nice To Haves

• Participation in OHP is mandatory for personnel in contact with non-human primates.

Responsibilities

• Assists in the proper care and maintenance of animals
• Feeds animals according to standards and schedules.
• Ensures animals have access to an adequate source of potable water
• Inspects animal housing conditions
• Cleans and changes cages, pens, enclosures, and ancillary items
• Provides appropriate enrichment for different animal species
• Ensures the macro environment follows the Canadian Council on Animal Care standards (CCAC).
• Verifies macroenvironment - this includes visual, auditory and olfactory for anything abnormal.
• Verifies that the equipment is functioning normally for the individually ventilated caging system.
• Completes standard reports and logs for all tasks mandated by CCAC.
• Monitors the general health of the animals and informs the Animal Health Technician of any changes via the rodent illness & injury reports.
• Reports in person or via email/phone if urgent matters arise concerning any physical and/or behavioural abnormalities, according to CMARC standards for veterinary care, following job aids.
• Reports any deviations to the approved housing standards (example, overcrowding)
• Required to apply various treatments to animals after instructions from the Veterinary Care group (eye ointments, application of green clay over wounds, or providing wet food in a dish).
• Verifies that the received animals' paperwork matches the order's paperwork
• Following established standards, verifies the sex, the number of animals, and the health condition of each animal and reports any discrepancies
• Prepares and verifies animals for shipment following standards.
• Sanitizes all animal-related areas according to standards.
• Reports any malfunctioning equipment or facility-related issues
• Performs minor work relating to the construction or repair of cages, enclosures, pens, etc.
• Takes inventory of animals.
• Assists in the inventory and restocking of animal-related supplies and Equipment
• Disposes of carcasses and waste according to standards
• Sanitizes, prepares and sterilizes animal-related equipment according to standards
• Performs scheduled maintenance of processing equipment.
• Weekly and monthly maintenance of rack washers, cage washers, tunnel washers, autoclaves, dumping stations, filling stations and all associated equipment.
• Liaise with research staff regarding access to the equipment in the room
• Vet care questions that can be answered in some cases or redirected to AHTs in other cases.
• Demonstrate how to properly use various equipment
• Assist in demonstrating all duties of an animal care attendant, if required, to new employees
• In collaboration with all team members, ensures that all tasks are accomplished on a daily and weekly basis
• Attends required meetings and training sessions
• Identifies and suggests any potential improvements to the supervisor regarding processes and/or equipment.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)
• Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)
• Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
• Competitive vacation policy
• Two (2) personal days
• Two (2) floating holidays
• Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day
• Paid time off over the December holiday period
• Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents
• Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED