HUSBANDRY TECHNICIAN II

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute•San Diego, CA

17h•$19 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

Sanford Burnham Prebys is a global research facility and hub for innovation, fostering a vibrant community of scientists from over 30 countries. The institution aims to advance biomedical sciences by cultivating scientific leaders and providing opportunities for researchers to innovate and make discoveries that improve human health. The Husbandry Technician II, under direct supervision, will be responsible for husbandry activities related to the care of laboratory research mice and rats, essential for continuing critical vivarium operations. Duties and responsibilities are subject to change and may include other tasks as assigned.

Requirements

High School diploma required
Two years' general work experience required or an equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been attained
Ability to pass post-employment physical as required by OLAW (Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare)
Ability to work in environment which contains animal dander and dust particles
Ability to perform repetitive motions with arms, wrists and hands; regular bending and lifting, sitting and standing on hard floor surfaces and pushing and pulling of carts loaded with caging and accessories
Ability to lift and stack feed and bedding bags up to 40 pounds
Must wear institute supplied scrubs, face mask, shoe covers and hair bonnet as well as other task-related personnel protective equipment including face shield or goggles, heat resistant autoclave gloves, nitrile or chemical resistant gloves, apron, and back support belt
Ability to work one of the defined work schedules: 6:30-3:00 or 7:00-3:30 Monday through Friday
Work independently as well as in a team environment
Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
Possess good time management and organizational skills
Adhere to department and institute safety and occupational health policies and procedures while demonstrating competency in safety protocols
Maintain compliance with all training requirements
Professional proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, and LabTracks
Standing and Walking: Ability to stand for extended periods and move around the facility to attend to animal needs and maintenance.
Lifting and Carrying: Capability to lift, carry, and stack feed and bedding bags that typically weigh up to 40 pounds; and move heavy equipment (mouse housing racks and carts loaded with water bottles or caging supplies), using proper lifting, pushing or pulling techniques.
Manual Dexterity: Proficiency in handling small animals and using various tools and equipment with precision.
Repetitive Motions: Comfort with repetitive tasks involved with animal care such as feeding, cage changing and animal health checks; and animal holding room and procedure room janitorial tasks
Bending and Stooping: Flexibility to remove and hold rodent cages from various heights within their holding rack (cages weigh 8 lbs.) for cage changing and animal health check
Visual Acuity: Ability to observe animal behavior and health, distinguishing subtle changes that may indicate issues.

Nice To Haves

ALAT or LAT certification preferred

Responsibilities

Checks cages daily for adequate food and water and replenishes feed and water bottle as needed
Changes cages following the 10-day cage change cycle
Checks cage cards for accuracy of information and corrects information as needed
Maintains animal room activity logs and husbandry records
Maintains changing hoods, ventilated animal housing racks and related work equipment
Performs daily animal health checks and reports observed health conditions to Laboratory Animal Technicians (LATs)
Restocks room supplies and maintains common use storage and procedure support areas
Cleans and maintains assigned animal rooms, surrounding support areas and procedure labs
May perform routine animal health treatments
May perform technical procedures such as blood collection and injections
May cross-train with LAT staff, and perform breeding colony maintenance procedures, such as weaning mouse litters and ear notching mice
Assists with cage washrooms as needed or when scheduled
Washes rodent cages and related caging accessories
Operates the tunnel washer and rack washer machines
Organizes the cleaned caging and accessories
Prepares caging for autoclaving and operates the steam autoclave
Operates the bedding dispenser and adds nesting material to bedding filled cages
Participates in required EH&S and department training courses
Prepares cleaning solutions and labels stock solutions with preparation date
Performs rodent euthanasia
Cleans and restocks procedure rooms
Perform other related tasks, duties and responsibilities as required, assigned or directed.