Senior Animal Technician (Houston, TX)

United Therapeutics•Houston, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Animal Technician supports exceptional animal care and high standards within United Therapeutics’ designated pathogen-free (DPF) facility in Houston, Texas. This hands-on role includes daily care of pigs in accordance with established standard operating procedures (SOPs), animal and facility recordkeeping, and helping improve team performance by guiding, coaching, and training fellow animal technicians. The position is 100% onsite and may require some travel during the first six months, with no long-term expectation of regular travel. Responsibilities include daily feeding, washing, care, and movement of pigs, as well as reproductive work such as boar semen collection. The technician cleans and maintains the DPF, including lawn mowing and trimming; maintains husbandry, care, cleaning, and other records to good documentation practice (GDP) expectations; and reviews records completed by animal care staff for completeness and accuracy. The role also assists the veterinary team with setup and care during and after operations, operative care, and the collection, storage, shipment, and inventory of samples. The technician follows SOPs and quality assurance standards, authors SOPs, forms, reports, and other good manufacturing practice (GMP) documentation, and performs other assigned duties. The position requires the ability to work weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts when applicable, as well as 10-hour shifts. Physical demands include lifting 75 pounds to waist level and pushing or pulling 200 pounds on wheels. Employees must not have any other interaction with pigs outside of the company.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 4 years of experience in large animal care and handling.
Working knowledge of animal husbandry, including nutrition, reproduction, and safety.
Ability to work weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts when applicable.
Ability to work 10-hour shifts.
Excellent communication, organizational, and multitasking skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
Strong attention to operational planning and follow-through.
Working knowledge of data collection and recording.
Knowledge of animal welfare and other federal regulations regarding animal research, including USDA, FDA, and DEA regulations.
Ability to author and follow SOPs.
Must not have any other interaction with pigs outside of the company.
Ability to lift 75 pounds to waist level.
Ability to push or pull 200 pounds on wheels.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in animal sciences or a related field.
At least 4 years of experience in swine production.
At least 4 years of experience performing medical tests, observing behaviors, collecting samples, and administering medication to large animals.
Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification.
Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) certification.
Working knowledge of facility maintenance, including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing skills.

Responsibilities

Perform day-to-day activities in the designated pathogen-free facility, including feeding, washing, and caring for pigs.
Move pigs and perform reproduction-related tasks, including boar semen collection.
Clean, disinfect, and maintain the facility, including mowing and trimming the lawn.
Maintain animal husbandry, animal care, and cleaning records to GDP expectations.
Review animal care staff records for completeness, accuracy, and GDP expectations.
Assist the veterinary team with setup and care during and after operations, operative care, and sample collection, storage, shipment, and inventory.
Understand and follow SOPs and quality assurance standards.
Guide, coach, and train other operational employees within the job area.
Author SOPs, forms, reports, and other GMP documentation.
Perform other duties as assigned.