Animal Support Technician III

Benaroya Research Institute•Seattle, WA

8d•$26 - $37•Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Support Technician III (AST III) provides technical research support and coordinates the daily care and husbandry of rodents housed in the vivarium. This role supports internal and external researchers by coordinating study requirements, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring animal care activities are performed in accordance with approved protocols and regulatory requirements. The AST III performs advanced animal procedures, provides training and procedural certification to research staff, and serves as a resource and leader for Animal Support Technicians I and II. The position works collaboratively as part of a professional team and completes assignments with reduced supervision while maintaining a high standard of animal welfare, research support, and regulatory compliance.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Five years of laboratory animal care and research experience with mice, or an equivalent combination of related education and required experience.
Surgical experience required.
Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations governing laboratory animal care and use, including applicable animal care and use guidelines.
Advanced knowledge of animal health, husbandry, behavior, disease transmission, sanitation, aseptic techniques, and environmental factors affecting laboratory animals.
Advanced knowledge of anesthetic principles and advanced skills in animal handling, restraint, dosing, blood collection, anesthesia, euthanasia, and surgical procedures.
Advanced computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word.
Strong mathematical, observational, documentation, and recordkeeping skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to follow detailed oral and written instructions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and work collaboratively in a team environment.
Ability to exercise discretion, analyze problems, and apply sound judgment.
Ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend English.
Ability to push or pull up to 100 pounds and lift or carry up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology preferred.
Bachelor's degree in Biology, Animal Science, Life Sciences, or a related field preferred.
AALAS Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) or Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Coordinate with internal and external researchers to determine study requirements, supplies, schedules, costs, and billing; maintain accurate animal inventories and project records.
Perform advanced lab animal procedures, including dosing, blood collection, anesthesia, survival and terminal surgical procedures, irradiation, euthanasia, and tissue collection.
Monitor animal health and well-being, conduct health assessments and clinical observations, and report abnormalities or concerns to appropriate personnel.
Perform animal husbandry activities, including cage changes and sanitation, feeding, watering, environmental enrichment, and cleaning and disinfecting animal rooms and support areas.
Provide training and certification for research procedures such as animal restraint, injections, blood collection, anesthesia, and euthanasia.
Assign Animal Support Technicians to studies based on their procedural proficiency and provide leadership and technical guidance to AST I and AST II staff.
Develop, update, and maintain standard operating procedures, protocols, records, instructions, and job aids.
Maintain accurate animal health, study, environmental monitoring, and regulatory records in accordance with facility procedures and applicable regulations.
Prepare for the arrival of new animals, evaluate their condition, and house them according to established procedures.
Perform animal identification, tissue harvesting, weaning, database entry, and research data collection.
Monitor environmental conditions and support environmental monitoring activities to help ensure animal health and facility compliance.
Follow IACUC protocols, federal regulations, facility procedures, and applicable standards governing laboratory animal care and use.
Identify opportunities to improve processes and make recommendations to enhance operational efficiency and quality.
Perform other duties as assigned and comply with all organizational policies and standards.