Animal Technician II

The University of Arizona•Tucson, AZ

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Technician II performs moderately complex animal care and husbandry activities in support of research and animal welfare programs within a designated animal care facility. The position applies established procedures and species-specific care practices to promote animal health, maintain regulatory compliance, and support effective facility operations. The Animal Technician II operates specialized equipment, maintains required records, monitors environmental conditions, and coordinates with research, veterinary, and compliance personnel to ensure that daily operational standards are met. The position works under general supervision and is responsible for prioritizing assigned duties and resolving routine issues in accordance with established procedures and guidelines. The work schedule includes participation in the Animal Care holiday rotation, as well as weekend work and, when necessary, compensated overtime.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalency is required.
Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
Good verbal and written communication skills.
Strong time management and computer skills.
Ability to apply general knowledge of the organization, job content, practices and procedures.
Knowledge and skills necessary to be proficient in all aspects of job.
Ability to perform work that requires continuous bending, stooping, twisting, standing and walking.
Ability to perform repetitive hand motion (changing cages).
Ability to be medically cleared to wear a respirator.

Responsibilities

Perform intermediate animal husbandry activities to laboratory animals including species-specific feeding, watering and cage maintenance, following established protocols and care standards to support animal health and welfare.
Perform basic breeding colony task, such as separating breeders and weaning litters.
Follow established biosecurity, sanitation, animal welfare, and safety procedures to maintain compliance with institutional, regulatory, and facility requirements.
Observe animals for routine health and welfare concerns and communicate observations to veterinary, supervisory, or research personnel in accordance with established procedures.
Administer routine medications and treatments to animals as prescribed and directed by veterinary staff while maintaining required documentation.
Operate and maintain specialized equipment, including autoclaves and laminar flow hoods, individually ventilated cage racks following established procedures to support a controlled and compliant animal care environment.
Monitor animal rooms for temperature, humidity, sanitation, and other environmental conditions; identify and report deviations from established standards through appropriate channels.
Accurately record husbandry activities, animal observations, treatments, and procedural data in accordance with regulatory, institutional, and departmental requirements.
Notify research staff, veterinary staff, laboratory personnel, compliance personnel, and maintenance personnel to exchange information necessary to support daily animal care operations and research activities.