Senior Animal Care Technician

DLAR-Animal Husbandry - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (26000849)

The Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) Senior Animal Care Technician will perform administrative and facility support functions to ensure optimal operations. In addition, the individual will provide husbandry and care of laboratory animals with a commitment to animal welfare and well-being. The candidate will: • provide food and water to animals, change and clean animal cages, and complete daily health observations • administer medical treatments, procedures and research support activities with minimal supervision • perform duties that require specialized skills associated with the care and handling of laboratory animals, the sanitation of facilities and the operation and maintenance of equipment • oversee and maintain appropriate documentation of animal husbandry and care activities and schedules, room and equipment functioning • use an electronic animal management system to document animal movement, census and health issues for records and billing information • manage inventory, orders and receipts of supplies and services • assist researchers and staff with facility issues • serve as a mentor and provide leadership during the absence of facility supervisor.

The successful candidate must have lab animal experience; consistently demonstrate positive interpersonal and customer service skills; be proficient with technology in order to use common applications (e.g. email, Microsoft Office, Zoom) and to learn CAMS (DLAR business application software); be available to work occasional weekends and holidays; stand for extended periods of time; lift 50 pounds; push/pull heavy equipment; and pass the mandatory criminal and social background checks. Preferred candidate will have completed criteria in the DLAR Career Development Program. Candidates working in the Rangos Research Building at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh will need to obtain Child Protection Clearances. Vaccinations and TB testing may be required.

Job Summary

Provides animal care to laboratory animals, including feeding, watering, enrichment, health observations and basic medical treatments. Performs cage cleaning and facility sanitization procedures, generates task schedules, and maintains timely and accurate documentation. Orders facility supplies and maintains accurate inventory. Performs floor supervision and ensures employees' compliance with Standard Operating Procedures. Serves as a mentor, provides performance feedback, and in the absence of the supervisor, oversees facility operations.

Essential Functions

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 • demonstrate sufficient fine motor skill to manipulate animals and equipment; negotiate around equipment within close quarters; move between rooms and workspaces • have sufficient visual acuity to recognize and identify normal and abnormal species-specific clinical appearances and behavior patterns, safely handle and restrain the animal species, and operate and maintain facility equipment and supplies utilized in the provision of animal husbandry and care and in the cash wash areas • have sufficient audible acuity to hear equipment alarms and other warnings • wear facility specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for extended periods of time 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 • successfully enroll in University of Pittsburgh Animal Exposure Surveillance Program (AESP) and other medical surveillance/immunization programs as dictated by current research activities • 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.

Physical Effort

The employee must be able to: • stand for extended periods of time for the majority of the workday • 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 • operate flatbed hand trucks or pallet jacks to push/pull heavier objects or weights exceeding 50 pounds • perform repetitive motion tasks that involve pushing, pulling, twisting, reaching, 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.

Assignment Category: Full-time regular

Job Classification: Staff.Senior Animal Care Technician

Job Family: Research

Job Sub Family: Animal Research

Campus: Pittsburgh

Minimum Education Level Required: High School Diploma/GED

Minimum Years of Experience Required: 1

Will this position accept substitution in lieu of education or experience: Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.

Additional details about Required Licensure/Certification: Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) at the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) level. External candidates will need to attain within one year.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; some weekends and holidays

Work Arrangement: On-Campus: Teams that work on campus, in an office, or in a lab.

Hiring Range: TBD Based Upon Qualifications

Relocation_Offered: No

Visa Sponsorship Provided: No

Background Check: For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check

Child Protection Clearances: Not Applicable

Required Documents: Resume

Optional Documents: Not Applicable