Experience and a proven ability to work with rodents and administer medications, treatments, and post-operative care
Must be familiar with general biology
Be able to determine the health status of a variety of animal species
Must have knowledge of regulatory requirements for maintaining research animals in an Institutional Research Program.
Be available to work occasional weekends and holidays
Stand for extended periods of time
Lift 50 pounds
Push/pull heavy equipment
Pass the mandatory criminal and social background checks, and Child Protection Clearances.
Vaccinations and/or TB testing may be required.
Baccalaureate or equivalent work experience (2+ years) in a research/lab/animal care setting could be substituted for education.
Minimum Education Level Required: Bachelor's Degree
Minimum Years of Experience Required: 1
The employee must be able to:
Read, understand, and follow DLAR and other institutional guidance documents (SOPs, policies), including IACUC approved animal protocols when applicable;
Follow written and verbal instructions;
Have sufficient visual and hearing acuity to recognize and identify normal and abnormal species specific clinical appearances and behavior patterns, safely handle and restrain the animal species involved with his/her duties, and operate and maintain facility equipment and supplies utilized in the provision of animal husbandry and care and in the cash wash areas;
Wear facility specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required by the job duties based on risk assessment from EH&S;
Work directly with live or dead animals and clean or soiled bedding and caging with reasonable accommodations if necessary;
Accurately and legibly document written information in English in a timely manner, including electronic formats and applications (e.g., PRISM, CAMS);
Effective written and verbal communication in English, including the use of email;
Receive vaccinations and health assessments, including TB testing, required to work in some animal holding or procedure areas in accordance with DLAR and/or EH&S; policies and practices.
Stand for extended periods of time throughout the majority of the work day;
Lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds including but not limited to caging and equipment, bags or boxes of animal diet and animal bedding, and operate flatbed hand trucks or pallet jacks to move heavier objects or weights exceeding 50 pounds;
Perform repetitive motion tasks that involve pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting and/or bending;
Physically handle and restrain a variety of small and large laboratory animals;
Negotiate and navigate around animal facility caging, equipment, and the physical plant.
Ability to wear personal protection equipment (PPE) appropriate for the species, animal housing conditions, or work area.
Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) at the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) level within 24 months of start date
The following PA Act 153 clearances and background checks are required prior to commencement of employment and as a condition of continued employment: PA State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI Criminal Record Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance.
