Animal Caretaker I & II
About The Position
Temple University's Central Animal Facilities Department is searching for an Animal Caretaker I or II. The Animal Caretaker I and II position is based in Temple University’s 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. The individual 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.
Requirements
- Demonstrated ability to work with and handle rodents, USDA-covered species, and other animal species involved in the Temple University animal program.
- Animal Caretaker I- High school/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.
Responsibilities
- Perform daily animal health checks and report any abnormal animal conditions to the veterinary staff.
- Ensure 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, animal care and enrichment logs, room equipment logs, and other forms as requested by the Area Supervisor.
- Ensure 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 parts, 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.
Benefits
- Full medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Paid time off
- 11 Paid Holidays
- Tuition remission - eligible employees and their dependents can obtain a degree TUITION-FREE
- A generous retirement plan
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
