Materials Handler I

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

8d•$42,264 - $43,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Materials Handler I is a full-time University Staff (unclassified) Operations Technician I position in the Office of Laboratory Animal Resources (OLAR) at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The role provides routine and specialized operational support for laboratory animal facilities serving biomedical research and education. The position reports to the Operations Supervisor and performs assigned work in cage wash, dock, auxiliary support, and procedure-room areas across OLAR-run facilities. The position is onsite in Aurora, Colorado. The role supports supply and inventory operations, receives and inspects goods, records inventory information, and distributes or stores supplies after appropriate sanitation or decontamination. It also cleans, sanitizes, and sterilizes animal cages, equipment, and work areas; operates cage-washing, sterilizing, material-handling, and other facility equipment; maintains logs and equipment; and handles waste and carcasses according to procedures. Work requires following SOPs, using PPE, and working safely around chemicals, biological materials, machinery, and other hazards. The position may operate a university vehicle to transport supplies and is designated essential personnel, subject to 24/7 call-in and possible shift coverage or emergency response.

Requirements

At least one year of relevant experience in an occupation related to the assigned work; appropriate education or related experience may substitute year for year.
Ability to perform physical work involving hauling, lifting, and moving.
Ability to sit, stoop, kneel, and balance occasionally, with or without accommodation.
Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 100 pounds occasionally; lift and carry up to 50 pounds frequently; and lift and carry up to 25 pounds constantly, with or without accommodation.
Ability to stand, walk, climb stairs, crouch, and squat frequently, and bend and reach above the shoulders constantly, with or without accommodation.
Ability to type or enter data occasionally and use peripheral vision, near and far vision, and depth perception frequently.
Ability to use hearing and verbal communication constantly.
Ability to work around chemicals and solvents, infectious and radioactive agents, hazardous conditions, noise, and vibration; walk on uneven surfaces; work in small, confined spaces; operate moving equipment or vehicles; and work around machinery.
Ability and willingness to wear appropriate respiratory and hearing protection.
Ability and willingness to euthanize rodents and work with dead animal carcasses.
Current, valid State of Colorado driver’s license by the time of hire.
Willingness and ability to work straight or rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to maintain activity logs.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to exchange and collect information and handle situations calmly and professionally.
Ability to communicate in writing.
Knowledge of different waste streams.
Ability to work in a team environment and prioritize, plan, organize, and multitask assignments.
Legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring current or future sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience with email, word processing, and entering data into a database.
Experience operating and maintaining complex machinery.

Responsibilities

Decontaminate equipment belonging to OLAR or research staff, including animal transfer stations, animal housing rooms, procedure rooms, veterinary equipment, and research equipment, according to procedures.
Follow standard operating procedures and use required personal protective equipment.
Receive and inspect goods, including animal diets, live-animal deliveries, equipment, supplies, and disposable items; check expiration dates and sanitize or decontaminate items before distribution or storage.
Enter received goods into the inventory system, rotate stock, monitor expiration dates, and remove expired items to minimize waste.
Use computers and electronic databases to enter information, communicate by email, and participate in training.
Operate mechanical equipment used to clean and sanitize surfaces and equipment, including pallet jacks, lift jacks, flatbeds, cage and rack washers, conveyors, foamers, floor scrubbers and buffers, autoclaves, robots, and bedding disposal and supply equipment; respond to alarms.
Prepare, dispense, and use hazardous chemicals and disinfectants according to manufacturers’ instructions for cleaning and disinfecting animal rooms, procedure rooms, racks, cages, pens, and support areas.
Work safely with hazards and follow departmental procedures.
Maintain equipment validation and monitoring logs, including biological indicator, temperature tape, and Sterigage logs.
Sanitize work areas using appropriate frequencies, methods, and materials.
Assist with records for the facility pest-control program.
Remove carcasses from refrigerators or freezers and dispose of them through the appropriate waste stream; maintain and disinfect freezers and refrigerators as scheduled.
Operate a university vehicle to transport supplies, as needed.
Operate cage-washing and sterilizing equipment, including rack washers, index washers, robotic equipment, vacuum disposal, bedding dispensers, and bulk sterilizers.
Load and unload caging and equipment onto conveyors and into or out of washers and autoclaves; disassemble and assemble equipment according to procedures to support cage production and flow.
Monitor cage-wash dust collectors in the interstitial space.
Perform basic equipment repairs and preventive maintenance, and report equipment that is broken or needs maintenance or replacement.
Assemble large equipment, including carts, racks, cabinets, chairs, shelving, and hoods.
Handle hazards, animal waste, soiled bedding, chemicals, animal blood, and bodily materials.
Participate in required training and meetings and perform other duties as assigned.
Stock and control inventory of personal protective equipment, general supplies, laundry, caging, equipment, and cleaning supplies; ensure appropriate trash removal.
Remove, sort, weigh, and prepare carcasses for vendor pickup when directed by a lead or supervisor.
Work with coworkers on facility projects and procure and transport animal feed, bedding, and supplies as needed.