Animal Care I or Animal Care Trainee

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

2d•$40,000 - $43,600•Onsite

About The Position

This full-time, University Staff (unclassified) Animal Care I or Animal Care Trainee position will perform tasks that are structured and designed to provide training and experience in the research animal care occupation. Tasks are performed under direct supervision, detailed instruction, and guidance. The duties for this position will include: evaluate and record basic health status of animals; change, clean, sanitize, and/or disinfect animal cages, pens racks animal support areas, feeding devices, watering devices, and all animal contact surfaces using appropriate methods; weigh, administer medications, breed, restrain, euthanize, and transport laboratory animals; record animal census; record daily actives in a database; procure and transport animal feed and supplies; collect and properly dispose of soiled animal bedding and other wastes; operate mechanical cleaning equipment such as buffers, high pressure washers, laundry equipment and environmental monitoring equipment; lubricate and conduct minor repairs on animal care equipment; and perform related work as assigned or required.

Requirements

Animal Care I: One year of experience caring for, feeding, or providing health care for animals in a veterinary laboratory, breeding, or boarding facility.
Animal Care Trainee: No education or experience required.
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
Must be willing and able to sit, stoop, kneel and balance on an occasional basis, with or without accommodation.
Must be willing and able to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 100 lbs. on an occasional basis, with or without accommodation.
Must be willing and able to use color and peripheral vision on an occasional basis.
Must be willing and able to stand, walk, climb stairs, crouch and squat on a frequent basis, with or without accommodation.
Must be willing and able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. on a frequent basis, with or without accommodation.
Must be willing and able to use near vision, far vision and depth perception on a frequent basis, with or without accommodation.
Must be willing and able to type/enter data on a frequent basis, with or without accommodation.
Must be willing and able to bend and reach above shoulders on a constant basis, with or without accommodation.
Must be willing and able to lift and carry up to 10 lbs. on a constant basis, with or without accommodation.
Must be willing and able to handle, finger and feel objects on a constant basis, with or without accommodation.
Must be willing and able to use hearing and verbal communication on a constant basis.
Must be willing and able to work around chemicals and solvents.
Must be willing and able to work around noise and vibrations.
Must be willing able to walk on uneven surfaces and work in small, confined spaces.
Must be willing and able to operate moving equipment/vehicles and work around machinery.
Must be willing and able to work in hazardous conditions.
Must be willing and able to wear appropriate respiratory protection.
Must be willing and able to euthanize small animals.
Must possess and maintain a current, valid State of Colorado Driver’s License by the time of hire.
Must be willing and able to work straight or rotating shifts, weekends and holidays.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.
Excellent oral communication skills with the ability to exchange and collect information and handle stressful situations in a calm and professional manner.
Ability to communicate effectively in written form which includes the ability to check for typographical, grammatical and spelling errors.
Ability to enter data in a database.
Ability to handle rodents.
Knowledge of an animal research facility.
Ability to maintain an activity log.
Ability to work with complex machinery.
Planning and organization skills.
Mechanical ability
Physical ability

Nice To Haves

College coursework in veterinary technology, animal science, biology, or a related field of study related to the work assignment may substitute year-for-year for the general experience.

Responsibilities

Change and/or clean soiled animal cages and/or pens, feeding devices and watering devices.
Evaluate the basic health status of animals and reports abnormalities to the appropriate personnel.
Clean/sanitize at regular intervals direct and indirect animal contact surfaces by washing with appropriate detergents/disinfectants.
Record daily animal care activities on room check-sheets, enter work activities into database, and contact appropriate personnel regarding dead/sick animals via e-mail or phone.
Collect soiled animal bedding and other wastes and transports to designated waste disposal sites (i.e. cage wash room or dumpster).
Procure animal feed, bedding and supplies from appropriate support areas and transport to required use site.
Weigh, administer medications, breed, record breeding status data, euthanize, restrain, and transport laboratory animals as directed by supervisor or veterinarian.
Scan cage cards to record animal census in the animal rooms and posts reports every week.
Select, prepare, dispense and utilize hazardous chemicals and disinfectants according to manufacturer’s instructions in cleaning and sanitizing animal rooms, racks, cages and pens and animal support areas.
Operate mechanical equipment such as floor buffers, high pressure washers, laundry equipment, and environmental monitoring equipment for cleaning/sanitizing purposes.
Clean/sanitize/disinfects animal holding rooms, procedure rooms, support rooms.
On occasion may be required to drive a University vehicle to transport animals in cases of emergency.