Animal Caretaker

Veterans Health Administration • East Orange, NJ

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Caretaker works in the Veterinary Medical Unit of the Research Service at the VA New Jersey Medical Center in East Orange. The position provides manual labor to care for research rodents and maintain their living environments. Work includes monitoring animal health and conducting basic interventions, providing daily nutrition and enrichment, and maintaining clean animal housing.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• A background/security investigation and pre-employment physical are required.
• Must complete the required online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• No specific length of training or experience is required, but applicants must demonstrate training or experience of sufficient scope and quality to perform the work; supporting details must be included on the resume.
• Must meet the screen-out element and demonstrate the ability to do the work without more than normal supervision, interpret instructions and specifications, use and maintain tools and equipment, dexterity and safety, knowledge of materials, technical practices, and use of measuring instruments.
• Must be able to perform moderately heavy physical work, including lifting 50 pounds or more and continual walking, bending, stooping, and stretching; considerable dexterity, coordination, and concentration are required.

Responsibilities

• Receive, label, and prepare housing for new animals.
• Provide care, food, and water to animals used in clinical research studies.
• Visually inspect cages during daily check-ins; observe animal health and cage status; and record feed and bedding inventory, changes in appearance or activity, and needs.
• Record bedding status in each animal cage and request replacement bedding shipments as needed.
• Replace cages and bedding and move cages when applicable.
• Handle animals as appropriate.
• Administer oral, inhalant, and injectable fluids and medications as directed.
• Collect urine and blood specimens according to standard operating procedures.
• Conduct rodent euthanasia procedures according to Veterinary Medical Unit standard operating procedures as directed.
• Read and record animal-room temperatures daily.
• Clean animal rooms and floors, including sweeping, mopping, and washing.
• Periodically move, arrange, clean, and polish furniture.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• Eligible employees may receive credit for prior work or military service toward annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed