Animal Technician, Containment Laboratory

Texas A&M University System • College Station, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Technician, Containment Laboratory is a position at the Global Health Research Complex (GHRC), a biocontainment facility at Texas A&M University. This position is responsible for performing all aspects of daily animal care and animal husbandry in ABSL-2 and BSL3-Ag environments, monitoring and recording environmental parameters and conditions, and performing other related duties.

Requirements

• Associates degree in an agricultural or animal-related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three years’ experience with large animal species such as cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and goats.
• Must be able to undergo and maintain a favorable background investigation and National Select Agent Registration security risk assessment.
• Must be able to work some weekends and/or holidays and be “on-call”.
• Persons in this position are considered essential when the University declares an emergency, campus closure, class cancellations, etc., and are therefore required to report to work and remain on duty unless/until relieved by the direct supervisor.
• Ability to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, which may include communications systems, computer networks and systems, cybersecurity systems, electrical grid, hazardous waste treatment system or water treatment system.
• Ability to handle, restrain, clinically observe and identify health concerns in a wide range of large animal species.
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to ensure understanding.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain professional working relationships with people.
• Requires mobility and agility to move quickly in a dangerous situation.
• This job has a potential for safety hazard exposures and infectious disease exposures and requires the ability to work sometimes under challenging conditions (high humidity/temperature, unpleasant odors, animal excreta and noise).
• Medical evaluation is required at least annually, and full participation in a medical clearance program is required, which includes blood testing and possibly vaccinations.
• May be required to take several showers each day, is required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, and stand for prolonged periods of time.
• Must have the physical ability to lift or move heavy loads.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in an Agricultural or animal-related field.
• Prior experience in a biocontainment program (BSL-2, ABSL-2, BSL-3, ABSL-3, or BSL-3Ag).
• Prior experience working with wildlife species.
• Must be able to successfully obtain Biological Select Agent and Toxin certification.
• American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification.
• Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification.

Responsibilities

• Performs daily animal care and husbandry duties for research animals in a bio-containment facility including feeding, watering, animal handling/transport, animal health checks, providing enrichment and environmental monitoring.
• Assures animals are appropriately maintained and cared for in accordance with standard operating procedures and supervisor’s instructions.
• Decontaminates, cleans, and sanitizes animal rooms, ancillary areas, primary enclosures and caging equipment following established procedures and schedules.
• Operates equipment such as autoclaves, chemical foamer/sprayers, and pressure washers.
• May perform technical services such as blood, tissue, urine/feces collection, administering prophylactic treatments and injections.
• Assists with animal handling and restraint for tissue collections.
• Monitors and records environmental parameters and conditions.
• Maintains animal room logs, animal health records, census sheets, and other essential records.
• Responsible for the preparation of animal holding rooms before the start of experiments, including assembling penning, and penning movement/storage.
• Maintains and stocks appropriate supplies such as animal feed and PPE for the animal rooms; assists with facility laundry as needed.
• Assists with the disinfection of necropsy spaces; assists with carcass disposal in the on-site tissue digester.
• Performs weekend and holiday duties as scheduled; and other duties as assigned.
• Provides assistance and resources to facility users and departmental staff.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Free exercise programs and release time
• All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more
• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee
• Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree