Duties & Responsibilities

• Complies with applicable regulations and company policies. Documents and maintains records of animal care, preventive medicine, USDA-required, and study protocol-driven documents. Provides animal husbandry and care including provision of feed, water, and enrichment materials. Maintains, adjusts, and repairs animal pens, feeders, drinking systems, and livestock handling equipment. Performs cleaning and sanitation of animal rooms and equipment. May provide supervision of junior team members upon delegation from Group/Team Leader or site management.
• Restrains and manipulates animals for routine and emergency procedures. Recognizes when animals are sick, distressed or otherwise abnormal and communicates these observations to the Site Veterinarian or Group/Team Leader. Conducts daily animal health and welfare assessments. Administers treatment to animals at the direction of the Site Veterinarian or delegate.
• Conducts scientific clinical observations and disease outcome assessments (e.g. lameness, behavior, respiration, fecal consistency, central nervous system affects, etc.). May administer experimental treatment articles in accordance with study protocols. Records all scientific information on documents provided with study protocols or standard department forms as appropriate.
• Under supervision, may administer and monitor sedation, and may conduct euthanasia in accordance with study protocols and at direction of Site Veterinarian or delegate.
• May perform site biosecurity functions including water system sanitation, bagged feed and fomite decontamination, and environmental auditing sample collection.
• Assists with clinical R&D sample collection pre- and post-mortem in accordance with study protocols and direction of Investigator or delegate. Sample types may include but are not limited to blood, feces, oral fluids, nasal, tonsillar, or laryngeal swabs, tissues, etc. Assists with necropsies at direction of Site Veterinarian or delegate.

Requirements

• This position requires a High School diploma or equivalent degree (GED) and a minimum of two (2) years experience in a related field. Such fields may include livestock handling, husbandry, and healthcare, veterinary clinical assistance, and/or scientific animal research. This related experience may be obtained concurrent with the diploma/degree.
• This person should either already possess or be willing to obtain Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification, preferably within 12 months of employment. Certification time lines will be dependent upon prior education and experience.
• Physical and Mental Requirements to Perform Essential Functions:
• Physical Demands / Surroundings - This position requires the ability to work in extreme environments (hot, cold, noisy, humid, etc.) with a high priority focused on biosecurity, attention to detail, and timeliness. Individual must demonstrate persistence and energy in a dynamic, fast-paced, and demanding work environment. Some heavy lifting is required, and must be able to lift up to 70 pounds occasionally and up to 50 pounds frequently. Travel outside of local area is rarely required. Must be willing to work directly with animals during ante-mortem and post-mortem procedures. This person must not have allergies to animals or livestock/feed dust.
• Visual Demands – Must be able to read and see clearly. Prescription eye wear is allowed.
• Temperament / Mental Requirements - Must be able to maintain even temperament when working with livestock. Position requires willingness to learn at a rapid pace. Individual must be results oriented, cooperative, and a systematic thinker. Must be able to work in a multi-disciplinary matrix environment and value the importance of teamwork. Must exhibit sound judgment and analytical thinking. This person must demonstrate ability to manage processes, projects, and to function well in a team or committee role.
• Other Proficiencies – Must possess effective verbal and written communication skills in English, sufficient for accurate transmission of information internally. Requires ability to interface and build working relationships with team members at all levels of site organization. Must be proficient in basic computing skills such as e-mail communication and word processing.
• Attendance / Schedule – Attendance requirements are based upon BI AH general attendance policies. Must be able to work weekends.

These physical and mental requirements represent a sampling of those considered essential to this position. Although this is an accurate representation, it is by no means complete and may be changed or updated as needed.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.
• Must be willing to take a drug test and post-offer physical (if required).
• Must be 18 years of age or older.