Large Animal Facility Assistant (Research Animal Resources)

Johns Hopkins University•Baltimore, MD

95d•Onsite

About The Position

Johns Hopkins University is seeking a Large Animal Facility Assistant to provide animal care, welfare, and technical assistance in support of research initiatives. The role follows the USDA Animal Welfare Act, the ILAR Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Johns Hopkins University and Animal Care and Use Committee policies, and animal-facility standard operating procedures. The position performs sanitation, husbandry, and other support functions for laboratory animal species. Its primary focus is care for large animals, including birds of prey and mammals such as pigs, sheep, dogs, cats, and non-human primates; at least 70% of the employee’s effort must support these species. The role is a bargaining-unit position, and new hires are probationary for their first 90 calendar days of employment.

Requirements

High school diploma or graduation equivalent.
Ability to understand and follow detailed oral and written instructions.
Ability to read and write to maintain records and read instructions and labels.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays.
Ability to interact and work respectfully and courteously with faculty, students, staff, and visitors.
Ability to discuss animal-related projects with investigators and report these discussions to the supervisor.
Ability to work in environmental conditions requiring safety equipment.
Ability to lift, carry, or otherwise move and position objects and materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to stand, walk, or otherwise move about campus continuously.
Ability to ascend and descend stairs regularly.

Nice To Haves

One year of laboratory animal care or related experience.

Responsibilities

Perform Animal Cage Washer tasks as needed.
Clean, sanitize, and sterilize animal cages, feeders, water bottles, animal rooms, support spaces, and related equipment.
Fill feeders, bowls, water bottles, and other containers with appropriate food and water according to schedules and instructions.
Use aseptic technique and disease-prevention principles in Class I or Class II biological safety cabinets.
Transfer animals from soiled cages to clean, sterilized cages according to schedules and instructions, including moving non-human primates and other large animals using specified equipment or by hand.
Work under isolation conditions with specialized caging, including micro-isolation cages and individually ventilated cage systems, while following aseptic and disease-prevention practices.
Place bedding, feed, and water bottles in assembled, sanitized cages.
Observe and report signs of animal injury, illness, or irregularities in appearance, health, or environment, including abnormal food consumption, death, abnormal stool, and unusual behavior.
Provide enrichment to large animals according to instructions and document it appropriately.
Perform euthanasia following detailed training and instructions.
Receive and process incoming animals and materials; examine incoming animals for compliance with specifications, reject unsuitable animals, and refer questionable cases to the supervisor.
Maintain accurate records of animal numbers and types and animal food and water consumption.
Record animal-room environmental factors, including temperature, humidity, and lighting, on room environment logs and report deviations to the supervisor.
Maintain adequate supplies of feed, bedding, and other materials.
Repair caging and equipment when necessary, including broken water lines, and report repair needs to the supervisor.
Lubricate equipment, make minor adjustments and repairs to cages and other equipment, and change air filters related to laboratory animal equipment and facilities as needed, using hand tools when required.
Collect, process, and remove waste, following appropriate procedures for animal carcasses and biohazardous waste.
Follow safety policies and procedures and use equipment and chemical treatments properly to protect animals, people, and property.
Use required personal protective equipment and safety equipment, including safety glasses, safety shoes, protective clothing, gloves, fume hoods, and biological safety cabinets.
Follow good laboratory practice, housekeeping procedures, standard operating procedures, and health, safety, and environmental policies.
Keep equipment and work areas clean and orderly; sanitize work areas and reach upper cages or clean animal racks and shelves as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.