Cage Wash Technician

Princeton University•Princeton, NJ

2d•$47,000 - $52,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Laboratory Animal Resource (LAR) group at Princeton University is seeking a Cage Wash Technician to provide state-of-the-art animal care for laboratory animals. This role is considered essential services staff, responsible for operating and maintaining animal cage washing equipment, ensuring the cleanliness of facilities and supplies, and maintaining adequate stock of food, bedding, and PPE. The technician will also support other animal care technicians with tasks like cage change-outs and will rotate through all LAR facilities. This position requires good communication skills and a commitment to high-quality animal care and research support. The role reports directly to the Facility Manager.

Requirements

Willing and able to work safely with biological and chemical hazards.
Able to lift a minimum of fifty (50) lbs.
Basic knowledge of biology and behavior of laboratory animal species including non-human primates.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a laboratory animal resources team.
Ability to share husbandry knowledge with other animal care staff, students, and new researchers.
Proven ability to work independently.
Ability to communicate well with different levels within the organization.
Ability to work well with a diverse team for a common goal.
Proficient knowledge of federal, state, and local Animal Welfare legislation.
Sound judgment on how to balance optimal animal care, research goals, and regulatory requirements.
Stand or walk continuously up to 6 hours per day.
Sit for up to 2 hours per day.
Lift or carry up to 20 pounds frequently (34-66% of the day) and up to 50 pounds occasionally (less than 33% day).
Push or pull using forces up to 50 pounds frequently (34 – 66% of the work day).
Use hands for simple grasping, pushing or pulling, and fine manipulations constantly (more than 66% of the day).
Kneel, bend, squat, reach overhead, lift overhead, or push or pull frequently (34 – 66 % of the work day).
Knee stand, crawl, or climb step stools or 6-foot stepladders occasionally (less than 33% of the workday).
Lift up to 50 pounds in a range of motions from floor to waist height.
Lift up to 20 pounds in a range of motions from floor to overhead.
Work in a controlled laboratory environment under a variety of temperature and humidity conditions.
Possess ability to maintain balance, a full range of body motions, and physical tasks.
Ability to handle assignments and changing priorities as circumstances may arise.
Ability to use Microsoft Office Applications including Outlook and other software applications used in animal research and compliance such as an electronic animal management programs.
Ability to follow-up tasks from beginning to completion and carry out duties in accordance to supervisor deadlines and university requirements.
Preserve confidential information and not disclose contents of this information except in the performance of the work assignment and in accordance with University and departmental policies and expectations.
The final candidate will be required to successfully pass a background review.

Nice To Haves

Must achieve ALAT certification within the first year of employment and keep current through ongoing professional development in animal husbandry, equipment, caging, and related topics in laboratory animal science through active participation in local and national professional organizations.

Responsibilities

Sanitize all supplies including cages, water bottles, and food bins.
Maintain clean animal rooms, procedure rooms, hallways, and other support areas.
Keep records related to animal support areas.
Operate cage wash machinery, ventilated rodent caging, watering systems, bedding dispensing/disposal units, and autoclaves following safety procedures.
Discover and report facility maintenance issues to the Lead Animal Technician and LAR Facility Manager.
Maintain facility equipment and perform routine preventative maintenance on cage wash and autoclaves.
Monitor, document, and report deviations of environmental parameters such as room temperature, humidity, lights, and air quality.
Receive and maintain adequate inventory levels of cleaning materials, chemicals, PPE supplies, and bedding materials.
Receive and maintain adequate levels of food, fruit, vegetables, and other dietary supplements, ensuring proper labeling of expiration dates.
Enter data accurately and timely into electronic management systems, husbandry logs, vivarium calendar, and time reporting system.
Perform jobs necessary to maintain basic University operations, including work attendance during scheduled or unscheduled work closures.
Cross-train and provide absentee support for other animal care technicians, including cage changing tasks.
Rotate with other animal care technicians for weeknight, weekend, and holiday coverage.
Assume additional responsibilities and increase knowledge, skills, and abilities.