Animal Technician 1 (Multiple Opportunities)

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

About The Position

Position Description: The Department of Comparative Medicine (DCM) is one of 12 basic science departments in the School of Medicine. The mission of the department is to advance knowledge and improve the health and welfare of humans and animals through excellent service support, biomedical research, and teaching. DCM is the central laboratory animal medicine resource at the University of Washington, supporting over 114,000 assignable square feet of animal facilities with an average daily census in excess of 100,000 animals across multiple species (e.g., rodents, rabbits, swine, and zebrafish). The department employs over 175 individuals who provide a comprehensive range of animal husbandry, veterinary, and laboratory services across numerous vivaria. The UW animal care program is accredited by AAALAC International and provides services to over 400 principal investigators. DCM faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and residents conduct basic and clinical research on a wide range of subjects including, but not limited to, comparative aspects of infectious disease, aging, cancer biology and genetics. DCM has an outstanding opportunity for a full time Animal Technician 1 position. These individuals will perform full cagewash room duties, animal care in rooms, and custodial care for animals and animal facilities.

Requirements

Physical ability to do required work
Ability to read, write, and communicate orally in English.
Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma
Physical ability to do required work
Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively with others in written and spoken form
Ability to take direction
Ability to maintain records and to ensure accurate data collection
Ability to learn to operate equipment such as autoclaves and tunnel or rack washers
Basic computer skills to include sending and receiving emails, word processing (e.g., Word), and internet navigation
Ability to learn to successfully complete time reporting using an online database
Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment
Ability to work collaboratively in a research environment with culturally diverse populations and with individuals of varying educational and professional backgrounds (e.g., Animal Technicians, Veterinarians, Research Technicians, Principal Investigators).
Must have a current Washington driver’s license
Must be comfortable working in biohazard facilities
Experience working with animals
Experience working in a research facility
An aptitude for machine and motor operations
Experience operating a box truck and a small car (Prius)
Hold a valid Washington State driver's license that has not been suspended or revoked for the past three years for any reason
Ability to successfully complete University driver education and training
Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and carry 30 pounds
Must be willing and able to work with a wide variety of animals
Work schedule will be Friday - Tuesday, 7:00am - 3:30pm; future work week schedules and facility assignments may change to meet the needs of the department
Some weekend and holiday work will be required.
Must be able to pass a Washington State Patrol background check
May be required to work with and take specific precautions, against and/or be immunized against potentially infectious agents. Specific precautions may include wearing respirators and/or protective clothing.
The employee is personally responsible for following health & safety and security policies/procedures.
Punctuality and regular attendance are critical components of this position.
This is an essential position and the employee will be expected to report to work under conditions that other employees are not required to report to work, such as inclement weather and UW suspended operations.

Responsibilities

Follow Standard Operating Procedures, Working Guidelines, and related documents for cage wash room duties, animal care and housing in the rooms and in the facilities
Perform and document daily animal health checks to assess animal behavior and well-being. Identify and report animal illness or abnormalities as directed.
Perform routine husbandry including routine cage changes and housing; providing appropriate feed, water and environmental enrichment; weaning or separating animals; handling, restraining, weighing, and determining the sex of all common laboratory animals; and determining daily animal census.
Provide food and water (including specialized food and water) to animals according to instructions. Document food and water administration as well as animal food and water consumption. Report deviations as instructed.
Prepare clean animal cages and enclosures for a wide variety of animals according to requirements.
Clean and/or sanitize animal use areas including walls, floors, ceilings, windows, and food preparation rooms.
Perform general custodial duties within the vivarium (e.g., sweep and mop hallways, transport waste materials).
Maintain separation of animals of different health or experimental statuses; observe precautions to avoid cross-contamination.
May provide animal husbandry duties in biocontainment (e.g., ABSL2, ABSL2+ rooms) or bioexclusion (e.g., isolation, quarantine, Helicobacter spp -free rooms) areas.
Monitor and record room environmental parameters; report deviations as instructed.
Maintain detailed and accurate written and electronic records and logs.
Dispose of animal carcasses in accordance with facility, state and federal requirements.
Operate machinery as directed (e.g., change stations, floor scrubbers, animal racks).
Maintain equipment (e.g., ventilated caging racks, laminar flow stations, biological safety cabinets) and premises in accordance with specified standards.
Monitor inventory levels and stock and maintain supplies. Initiate supply and equipment orders.
Maintain appropriate communications with research personnel.
Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings and continuing education; communicate animal care issues to research personnel, supervisors, and co-workers.
Assist with the delivery of animals to the facility and the transportation of animals within the facility.
Assist with basic cagewash duties (e.g., operate autoclaves, rack washers, and tunnel washers), as needed.
May occasionally operate departmental vehicles (car and box truck).
Perform related duties as required