Animal Care Helper

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Competition Number: J0225-0867

Position Title: Animal Care Helper

Position Number (Final): 00506059

Employee Group: Support Staff - CUPE Local 254

Job Category: Other Professionals

Location: Kingston, Ontario, Canada (On-site)

Salary: $41,164.00 - $51,455.00/Year

Hours per Week: 35

Job Type: Term

Length of term: 6 months

Shift: 7 Monday - Friday

Number Of Positions: 1

Date Posted: March 6, 2025

Closing Date: March 20, 2025

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COVID 19 On-Campus Requirements

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof that they were fully vaccinated or had an approved accommodation to engage in in-person University activities. These requirements were suspended effective May 1, 2022, but the University may reinstate them at any point.

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Queen’s University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research, faculty administration, engineering & construction, athletics & recreation, power generation, corporate shared services, and many more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

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Job Summary

This position reports to the Associate Director, Animal Care Services. Graduates of an approved Veterinary Technician / Technologist or Animal Health Technician / Technologist program are welcome to apply.

Job Description

Core Duties:

• Feeding and watering assigned animals or cages as prescribed. Filling water bottles and feed containers at room level with prescribed feed for that species.
• Observing animal's behaviour and body condition while attending to their cages and report any abnormalities to the Associate Director, Animal Care Services or Animal Health Technician. Reporting any apparent problems in the cages or rooms within the facility.
• Following prescribed methods and transfer animals from one cage to another.
• Putting enrichment devices in or on cages as prescribed.
• Moving clean and dirty caging. Flushing watering systems or automatic watering cages.
• Performing minor room maintenance such as changing exhaust filters as prescribed.
• Bedding and preparing pens or cages as directed. Process includes sterilization by running autoclave.
• Accurately identify, handle, weigh, and restrain animals used in the facilities using indelible pens, cage cards, animal record cards, and appropriate restraint devices.
• Lifting heavy animals and equipment e.g. bags of food, paper, cleaning fluids, caging, and food containers.
• Cleaning and general cosmetic care of rooms.
  
  

These skills are applied to the housing, maintenance and use of the following species: mice, rats, guinea pigs, monkeys, hamsters, etc.

Equipment And/or Materials You Are Responsible For

Autoclaves; Bedding dispenser; Disinfectant units; HEPA filtered laminar sterile containment units (both vertical and horizontal); One truck (2 ton); Weigh scales; Automatic watering for animals; Mulitude of mobile animal housing units; High pressure spray units; Protective clothing; Meters; Protective transfer boxes, cages; Restraining devices; Portable transfer boxes, cages; Automatic light timers; Flush drain systems; Thermostat and temperature controls; Plastic cage racks; Pan racks; Bowl carts; Various trolleys and wagons; Racks, cages, and accessories; Animal transfer units; Bags of food and bedding; Boxes of paper and other supplies; Cleaning supplies; Various types of data records – order forms, slips, and boarding sheets, etc; Garbage bag holders and containers; Hoses and nozzles; Various hand tools; CO2 cylinder for euthanasia of small rodents; Keys for all areas, truck, and buildings; Step ladders and stools; Portable shelving units

Education

Required Qualifications:

• The minimum job requirement is a secondary school diploma and 1 year of post-secondary education in a related field. Special consideration will be given to applicants that have graduated from a Veterinary Technician / Technologist or Animal Health Technician / Technologist program.
  
  

Job Knowledge And Requirements

• Ability to follow directions and work with animals and experience handling animals is required. The graduate would normally develop proficiency after a month of direct training with follow-up support over 6 months.
• The duties, skills, and specialized techniques required include the following: adapt basic knowledge and skills to those required on the job and properly handle animals.
• Initiative in carrying out assignments independently.
• Work effectively as part of the Animal Care Services team.
• Ability to lift 18 kg (40lbs)
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written
• Knowledge of the Canadian Council of Animal Care (CCAC), the Canadian Association for Laboratory Science (CALAS), the Animals for Research Act and the University Animal Care Committee is an asset.
• The incumbent must have a patient, humane, and caring attitude towards all animals, combined with the strength and knowledge to handle them successfully and are aware of the basic principles of sterility, quarantining, conditioning and epidemiological control.
  
  

Unusual Factors Affecting This Job

• All individuals working the animal facility may come in contact with: toxic, carcinogenic, teratogenic compounds, infectious microbiological agents, dust, and other allergens.
• There is a requirement to handle animals, which may pose a risk of scratches, bites, and zoonotic agents inherent to the animal.
• The incumbent must use cleaning solutions.
  
  

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen’s is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, visible minorities, Aboriginal Peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at hradmin@queensu.ca.

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