Animal Care Technician II

Tulane University•New Orleans, LA

About The Position

Performs routine and specialized animal-care duties, including feeding, medicating, cleaning, restraining, and transporting animals. Maintains adequate inventory of necessary supplies and equipment; observes animal behavior and condition, collects specimens, and provides technical assistance to research and veterinary personnel. Performs minor repairs and maintains the animal housing facility. May train and supervise new technicians from ACT Trainee to ACT Level I, and performs related responsibilities as required. Responsible for assessing and maintaining the security of animals in their primary enclosures. Weekend work and overtime are required. The employee may be designated essential personnel during a storm or other natural disaster. If required to work during a closure, the employee must provide current contact information and maintain communication with TNPRC. Attendance, punctuality, communication about absences, and courteous, tactful interactions are essential. Failure to report when requested or to meet performance and conduct standards may result in disciplinary action under the Staff Handbook. The TNPRC maintains biosafety level 3 facilities and works with diverse infectious agents, some of which can cause serious human disease if standard operating procedures—including use of appropriate personal protective equipment—are not followed. Depending on agent-specific risk assessments, individuals may be offered or required to receive relevant vaccinations. Assignment to ABSL3 containment areas may require passing a U.S. Department of Justice Security Risk Assessment for access to select biological agents and toxins, performing job duties while wearing respiratory protection, and participating in and complying with the TNPRC drug and alcohol program. Specific precautions against and/or immunization against potentially hazardous agents are required.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and two years of animal husbandry or related animal-care experience; OR a bachelor’s degree in a biological science; OR graduation from a two-year veterinary technician program; OR one year of laboratory animal experience and certification as an AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT).
Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to work with nonhuman primates and other laboratory animal species without jeopardizing their health.
Specific precautions against and/or immunization against potentially hazardous agents are required.
Weekend work and overtime hours are required.
If assigned to ABSL3 containment areas, may be required to pass a U.S. Department of Justice Security Risk Assessment, perform duties while wearing respiratory protection, and participate in and comply with the TNPRC drug and alcohol program.

Responsibilities

Perform routine and specialized animal-care duties, including feeding, medicating, cleaning, restraining, and transporting animals.
Maintain adequate inventory of necessary supplies and equipment.
Observe animal behavior and condition and collect specimens.
Provide technical assistance to research and veterinary personnel.
Perform minor repairs and maintain the animal housing facility.
May train and supervise new technicians from ACT Trainee to ACT Level I.
Assess and maintain the security of animals in their primary enclosures.
Follow oral and written instructions.
Work with nonhuman primates and other laboratory animal species without jeopardizing their health.
Follow standard operating procedures and use appropriate personal protective equipment when working with infectious agents.
If required to work during a closure, maintain current contact information and communication with TNPRC.
Meet established attendance and work schedules, communicate about absences, and report to work when requested.