Animal Care Technician II

Princeton University•Princeton, NJ

1d•$50,000 - $55,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Laboratory Animal Resource (LAR) group at Princeton University is a centralized administrative department responsible for the animal and veterinary care of all research animals. The Animal Technician provides state-of-the-art animal care for laboratory animals housed within all facilities, with a primary responsibility for rodents, aquatics, and USDA-covered species. This role ensures the cleanliness of the facility, maintains adequate supplies of food and bedding, and adheres to safety protocols including PPE. The Animal Technician collaborates with colleagues on a schedule prepared by the LAR Manager and must be willing to rotate through all LAR facilities. This position demands excellent communication skills with co-workers, management, researchers, students, and support staff, aiming to provide the highest quality of laboratory animal care and research support. This position reports directly to the Facility Manager.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
1-3 years minimum of full-time work experience as an Animal Care Technician
Willing and able to work safely with biological and chemical hazards
Able to lift a minimum of fifty (50) lbs
Basic knowledge of biology and behavior of laboratory animal species including non-human primates
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a laboratory animal resources team
Ability to share husbandry knowledge with other animal care staff, students, and new researchers
Proven ability to work independently and communicate well with different levels within the organization
Ability to work well with a diverse team for a common goal consistent with the mission of the Laboratory Animal Resources
Proficient knowledge of federal, state, and local Animal Welfare legislation and sound judgment on balancing animal care, research goals, and regulatory requirements
Ability to stand or walk continuously up to 6 hours per day
Ability to sit for up to 2 hours per day
Ability to lift or carry up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally
Ability to push or pull using forces up to 50 pounds frequently
Ability to use hands for simple grasping, pushing or pulling, and fine manipulations constantly
Ability to kneel, bend, squat, reach overhead, lift overhead, or push or pull frequently
Ability to knee stand, crawl, or climb step stools or 6-foot ladders occasionally
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds in a range of motions from floor to waist height
Ability to lift up to 20 pounds in a range of motions from floor to overhead
Ability to work in a controlled laboratory environment under a variety of temperature and humidity conditions
Possess ability to maintain balance, a full range of body motions, and physical tasks

Nice To Haves

Ability to handle assignments and changing priorities as circumstances may arise
Excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate well person to person as well as per E-mail
Ability to use Microsoft Office Applications including Outlook and other software applications used in animal research and compliance such as an electronic animal management programs
Must achieve ALAT certification within the first year of employment and keep current through ongoing professional development in animal husbandry, equipment, caging, and related topics in laboratory animal science through active participation in local and national professional organizations
Ability to follow-up tasks from beginning to completion and carry out duties in accordance to supervisor deadlines and university requirements
Preserve confidential information and not disclose contents of this information except in the performance of the work assignment and in accordance with University and departmental policies and expectations
The final candidate will be required to successfully pass a background review.

Responsibilities

Provides animal care for all species housed according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including feeding, watering, cage changing, and sanitizing supplies.
Maintains clean animal rooms, procedure rooms, hallways, and support areas, and keeps records related to animal care.
Operates and maintains various equipment such as cage washing machinery, ventilated caging, water systems, bedding dispensers, and autoclaves following safety procedures.
Monitors, documents, and reports deviations in environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, lights, air quality) and facility maintenance issues.
Provides innovative and species-specific environmental enrichment for laboratory animals, including non-human primates, under the direction of Veterinary Services.
Monitors animal health and welfare daily, reporting sick or deceased animals to researchers and Veterinary Services, and administers prescribed treatments.
Receives and maintains inventory of cleaning materials, PPE, bedding, food, and dietary supplements, ensuring proper labeling and expiration date management.
Prepares for and receives new animal shipments, entering data into LAR's electronic management software.
Collects facility-wide animal census data regularly and enters data accurately into electronic management systems, logs, and time reporting.
Assists with transgenic rodent breeding colony management, including tissue sample collection, setting up mating pairs, weaning animals, and tracking data.
Cross-trains and provides absentee support for other animal care technicians in different facilities.
Rotates for weeknight, weekend, and holiday coverage as needed.
Exhibits a willingness to assume additional responsibilities and enhance knowledge, skills, and abilities.