Animal Caretaker

OVERVIEW: This position serves as an Animal Caretaker II for the Multispecies Unit in Beltsville, MD. These responsibilities include all activities required for the proper care and maintenance of on-site animals. The work scheduled is 7 am to 3:30 pm (M-F). You will be required to work on the weekends and holidays as scheduled. This position is designated as essential. In addition you will be expected to work extra hours during emergency situations or if any unexpected situation arise until work is completed.

Primary Duties Include

• Must have swine experience.
• Animal caretaker shall have progressively sufficient knowledge of different livestock (swine, poultry, sheep, goats) and rodent species husbandry requirements to enable them to perform all required duties of animal caretaker II
• These personnel must have the ability to understand and operate sophisticated technological equipment (ventilated cage systems, BSL2 hoods, automatic watering systems, etc.) and complex management policies for animal care.
• Understand and follows all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Quality Assurance Standards
• Receive, examine, transfer, identify, and properly house incoming animal shipments according to SOPs
• Provide food and water to animals following SOPs or approved protocols.
• Sanitize and decontaminate all areas of the facility
• Dispose of waste from the facility following appropriate SOPs
• Maintain and repair animal caging and support equipment
• Assist with receipt, stocking and maintenance of all supply inventories
• Perform cage wash operations as needed
• Dispose of animal carcasses following SOPs
• Assist with the restraint and manipulation of various animal species
• Understand and follow SOPs, safety procedures, and quality assurance guidelines for animal care at all levels of biohazard containment
• Perform daily animal health surveillance checks and report any abnormal conditions of either the animals or the animal room environment to supervisory staff
• Perform routine animal husbandry as assigned
• Maintain an accurate animal census in assigned animal rooms, reported at least weekly.
• Perform breeding as requested, including remove weanling animals to separate cages, if required, maintain appropriate documentation
• Carry out Veterinarian instructions regarding animal treatments as well as maintaining appropriate records per SOP
• Prepare and submit records, charts, logs, cage cards, and inventories as required by SOPs.
• Maintain clean and organized work and personal areas
• Report any abnormal conditions of the animal facility or immediate vicinity to supervisory staff
• Perform other duties under supervision, as assigned
  
  

Requirements: Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. 2 years of experience or equivalent. The American Associa-tion for Laboratory Animal Science certification as an Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician is desired. Must complete the required training and receive clearance on the duties of Animal Caretaker II as outlined. Must have the ability to understand and operate sophisticated technological equipment and complex management policies, including breeding for animal care. The individual should have sufficient knowledge of different animal species husbandry requirements to perform all required duties. Must have the physical strength, dexterity and endurance to handle cages, racks, large pieces of miscellaneous equipment, feed & bedding bags and other materials and equipment normally found in a research animal facility. The individual must be able to lift a maximum of 50 lbs.; bend, push, pull, stoop, climb and stand for a prolonged period. Some knowledge of disinfectant use and operating knowledge of autoclaves, cage washers, conveyer belts, bedding dispensers, bottle fillers and high pressure & steam cleaning devises. Must attain and maintain access to workplace as set forth by WRAIR personnel, access and security requirements. Maintain all contract requirements to include quality of work, occupational health (e.g., vaccinations) and training.

Employment Type: Full Time

Bonus/Commission: No