Senior Lab Animal Technician

Syracuse University•Syracuse, NY

51d

About The Position

Under immediate supervision provides animal care, husbandry, and facility cleaning in an AAALAC accredited facility. Provides diligent and responsible animal care, feeds and waters animals, changes and cleans cages, sanitizes equipment and animal care facilities. In addition, records and/or reports animal abnormalities and environmental abnormalities. May take on additional duties as assigned by supervisor or manager such as but not limited to: conducting animal user training, preparing supply orders, assisting animal users, and performing facility quality control. Must be available for weekend and holiday work rotation; must be able to lift 50 pounds and work for extended periods of time in a facility maintained at approximately 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Must be able to use a ladder for brief periods of time for tasks above six feet but no more than eight feet high. This position is part of a bargaining unit and is represented by the union SEIU, Local 200United.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED required, Bachelor's degree preferred.
Knowledge of animal facility, animal husbandry and colony maintenance as would normally be acquired with a bachelor's degree in biology or animal sciences, a Veterinary Technician license, or 2-5 years of mouse room and/or freshwater aquarium experience. Other means of acquiring this knowledge will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Some level of AALAS certification preferred.
Knowledge of laboratory animal regulations, procedures, husbandry and colony maintenance.
Receive, inspect and put away incoming animals and materials.
Sentinel, PCR testing of colony.
Operate equipment and use supplies according to safety guidelines; perform general housekeeping and adhere to safety procedures.
Must be available for weekend and holiday work rotation.
Ability to write and revise SOPs.
Strong written and oral communications skills sufficient to permit clear and effective exchange of information.
Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
Must be able to work in a room maintained at approximately 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
Must be comfortable on a ladder (maximum height 8 feet) for brief periods of time.

Responsibilities

Provides diligent and responsible animal care, feeds and waters animals, changes and cleans tanks/cages, sanitizes equipment and animal care facilities.
Monitors and maintains life support systems for fish colonies.
Records and/or reports animal abnormalities including altered eating, drinking, waste elimination, altered behavior, superficial lesions, and/or death.
Senior Technician assignments (provide training, quality control, ordering, etc.).
May take on additional duties as assigned by supervisor or manager such as but not limited to: conducting animal user training, preparing supply orders, assisting animal users, and performing facility quality control assessment/scheduling/maintenance.
Training includes but is not limited to basic husbandry, compliance with all operating procedures, animal welfare and safety standard operation procedures (SOPs), procedures, and basic biomethods and other technical aspects of animal care.
May assist the manager in training, program development and may be involved in sentinel/PCR testing of colony.
Performing quality control includes but is not limited to organizing the cleaning and maintenance of all equipment and animal holding rooms, and maintaining MSDS binders.
Maintains the facilities stock supplies, performs cleaning and maintains equipment.
Technical assistance.
Other duties as assigned.