Job Title: Large Animal Care Technician

Job Description

Work independently on routine yet complex tasks in accordance with several policies including the USDA Animal Welfare Act, the ILAR Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and the Animal Care and Use Committee policies. Perform sanitation, husbandry, and support functions required for the humane care of a wide variety of laboratory animal species including rodents, rabbits, birds, and frogs. Must achieve Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification within fifteen (15) months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Perform all tasks of the Animal Cage Washer as needed.
• Clean, sanitize, and sterilize animal cages, feeders, water bottles, animal rooms, support space, and related equipment.
• Fill animal feeders, bowls, and water bottles or other containers with the appropriate types and amounts of food and drinking water in accordance with schedules and detailed instructions.
• Use aseptic technique and disease prevention principles in a Class I or Class II biological safety cabinet.
• Remove animals from soiled cages and transfer them to clean, sterilized cages in accordance with schedules and detailed instructions.
• Work under isolation conditions using specialized caging units such as micro-isolation cages and individually ventilated cage systems while adhering to aseptic techniques and disease prevention principles.
• Place bedding, feed, water bottles, etc. into assembled, sanitized cages.
• Observe and report to the supervisor signs of animal injuries, illness, or irregularities in appearance, health, and environment such as abnormal food consumption, death, abnormal stool, or unusual behavior.
• Assist in providing routine treatments as instructed, including procedures such as ear mite medication and clipping overgrown teeth.
• Perform euthanasia following detailed training and instructions.
• Receive and process incoming animals and materials. Assist in examining incoming animals for compliance with specifications, rejecting unsuitable animals, and referring questionable cases to the supervisor.
• Assist in maintaining colonies of genetically altered rodents and may be required to perform data collection.
• Maintain accurate records of the numbers and types of animals cared for and the animal's food and water consumption.
• Calculate the animal census.
• Maintain detailed records of animal room environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, lighting, and other environmental controls, and report deviations to the supervisor.
• Maintain adequate stock of feed, bedding, and other supplies.
• Report to the supervisor the need for repairs to cages and support equipment.
• Perform preventive maintenance and minor repairs on automated watering systems, individually ventilated cage systems, and other support equipment. Adjust and repair automatic drinking devices.
• Lubricate equipment, make minor adjustments and repairs to cages and other equipment, and change air filters related to laboratory animal equipment and facilities as needed, using hand tools if required.
• Collect, process, and remove waste material. Follow appropriate procedures for disposal of animal carcasses, bio-hazardous wastes, etc.
• Observe all safety policies and procedures and use equipment and chemical treatments properly to avoid harming animals, self, others, and damaging property.
• Perform tasks that require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, safety shoes, protective clothing and gloves, fume hoods, biological safety cabinets, etc.
• Follow good laboratory practice and good housekeeping procedures in accordance with standard operating procedures, health, safety, and environmental policies.
• Maintain equipment and work area in clean and orderly condition. Sanitize the area, reach upper cages, and clean animal racks or shelves.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills

• Knowledge of basic animal husbandry and research techniques.
• Knowledge of basic scientific terminology, basic conversion calculations, and basic measuring devices.
• Knowledge of principles of asepsis, disease control and prevention, barrier and isolation methods, and general breeding and mating systems.
• Knowledge of current regulations, policies, and principles for the care and use of laboratory animals.
• Ability to handle, restrain, and determine the sex of laboratory animals without causing injury or harm to the animal, self, or others.
• Ability to understand and follow detailed oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read and write in order to maintain records, read instructions, and labels.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends and holidays.
• Ability to interact and work with faculty, students, staff, and visitors in a knowledgeable, respectful, and courteous manner.
• Ability to discuss animal-related projects with investigators and report these discussions to the supervisor.
• Ability to work under environmental conditions that require the use of safety equipment.
• Ability to lift, carry, or otherwise move and position objects and materials weighing up to 50 lbs.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• High school degree or equivalent required.
• Must achieve Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification from the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) within fifteen months of employment.

Work Environment

Animal Research Lab. 1st shift opening, working hours are from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Must be comfortable with weekend work when needed.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $17.00 - $20.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Baltimore,MD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Feb 17, 2025.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I are embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

Salary : $17 - $20