Biology Tech III/Animal Care

Akima, LLC•Madison, WI

18d•Onsite

About The Position

Akima Systems Engineering (ASE) is hiring a Biology Tech to provide technical assistance with laboratory and vivarium operations in the pursuit of scientific data, and in accordance with fundamental science practices and quality assurance standards. The work involves pathogens and animals. As such, compliance with regulatory aspects of the work is imperative. For animal care, work performance on some weekends and federal holidays is required. About the customer: The National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) is a science center of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) with specialized laboratories that works to safeguard our Nation’s health by studying the causes and drivers of wildlife diseases and by developing strategies to prevent and manage them. The NWHC is dedicated to wildlife disease detection, control, and prevention in the United States. Their mission is to advance wildlife health science for the benefit of animals, humans, and the environment. Specific activities of the NWHC include wildlife disease research, conducting surveys of epidemic wildlife diseases and surveillance for outbreaks of novel pathogens in wildlife.

Requirements

Pass a standard background check.
Degree in biology, animal care or related field.
1-2 years lab experience.
Able to work weekends and holidays as needed.

Responsibilities

The Biology Tech will provide technical support for laboratory and animal studies of wildlife diseases, including chronic wasting disease as follows:
Rely on a moderate level of experience and judgement to plan and accomplish goals.
Perform laboratory procedures, which may not be standardized according to specified protocols.
Collect, curate, and prepare animal and environmental samples for CWD prion extraction.
Assess and document wildlife behavior by performing ethogram surveillance.
Operate laboratory equipment (balances, centrifuges, incubators, shakers, pipettes, thermal cyclers, spectrophotometers), autoclaves and vaporous hydrogen peroxide generators, other disinfections systems.
Collect biological and environmental samples (e.g., feces, blood, tissues) from research animals.
Perform animal care and assist with the design of animal husbandry protocols.
Maintain accurate records of sample collection, and procedural support.
Adhere to all NWHC-established protocols for containment, PPE use, decontamination, and security. Participate in required training related to biosafety, zoonotic disease prevention, and emergency procedures.
The contractor shall travel as required to support program tasks. Including travel to pick up or drop off samples.
Work performance on some weekends and federal holidays is required.