Cage Wash Technician

University of California, Irvine•Irvine, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

University Laboratory Animal Resources (ULAR) provides animal husbandry service and veterinary care to laboratory animals housed on campus for research, training or teaching. This includes meeting environmental and nutritional needs of a variety of animal species in accordance with established industry standards, state and federal rules and regulations, and ULAR's own standard operating procedures. This position involves keeping ULAR animal facilities supplied with clean animal cages (that can weigh around 4 pounds each). Incumbent will need to load cage racks with 144-plus animal cages, and push the racks through tunnel washers for washing. Some of the cages need to be sterilized through autoclave which also need to be loaded and unloaded. Once the cages and racks are washed, incumbent will prepare the cages for use by putting bedding and feed in the cages. Once prepared, hundreds of cages are loaded onto metal bulk trucks and transported to animal housing rooms. Incumbents will also need to move animal feed and bedding, with each bag weighing 50 pounds. Incumbent will be responsible for cleaning and minor repairs of cage enclosures and related ancillary equipment. ULAR will provide the necessary training to perform these duties.

Requirements

Ability to read, write and understand English sufficiently in order to follow given instructions and written standard operating procedures.
High School or GED degree
Able to lift, push, pull and move items weighing up to 50 pounds.
Valid California driver’s license, to pick up/deliver items around the Irvine campus, and possibly drive to/from the UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange.
Ability to function effectively as a team member.
At least 1 year of recent experience working in environment with loading/unloading heavy items and/or sanitation.
Must be able to provide proof of work authorization.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working in laboratory environment involving animal research.

Responsibilities

Load cage racks with 144-plus animal cages and push the racks through tunnel washers for washing.
Load and unload cages for sterilization through autoclave.
Prepare cages for use by putting bedding and feed in the cages.
Load hundreds of cages onto metal bulk trucks and transport them to animal housing rooms.
Move animal feed and bedding.
Clean and perform minor repairs of cage enclosures and related ancillary equipment.