Animal Care Technician
Go to our website »

Position Number: 4893983
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

Animal Care Technician

Position Title:
Animal Care Technician

Position Type:
Regular

Hiring Range:

$22.02 to $25.31 per hour; 20 hours per week, 12 month position. Benefits eligible.

Pay Frequency:
HourlyA. POSITION PURPOSE

As a member of the STEM laboratory support team, this (20 hours/week) position provides for the care and maintenance of laboratory animals on a day-to-day and ongoing basis, and for the day-to-day management of two Vivariums (animal facility laboratories) that are used for both teaching and research purposes that are part of the greater STEM campus. Primary areas of responsibility include: daily animal husbandry, tracking of supplies, general facilities monitoring, and disposal of hazardous waste.

This position will typically be assigned shifts 2-3 days a week, including one weekend day, and may also include holidays. Responsibilities occasionally may require an adjusted or increased (more than 20 hours/.5 FTE) work schedule, and evening/weekend hours, in order to provide backup support when other team members are away.

B. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Animal Care and Maintenance

Daily welfare check of all animals - inspect for any possible health problems, injuries, or other anomalies.
Provide food, water, and any required supplements daily, or per protocol guidelines.
Ensure cleanliness of cages and cage racks, water bottles, and other cage accessories as often as needed or required by protocols, including bedding changes, and manual or machine-assisted cage and bottle wash and dry.
Address any found minor health issues such as light wound/infection with appropriate treatment, including courses of action prescribed by PIs or veterinarian.
Report any major health issues or concerns to PIs and veterinarian, take recommended action.
Euthanizing animals may be required.

2. Support of Laboratory (Vivarium) Operations - Facility Care and Maintenance

Daily inspection of all spaces within the vivariums, take appropriate corrective action for any found issues.
Clean facilities per Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) (daily, weekly, monthly tasks).
Perform appropriate routine maintenance
Process trash and potentially hazardous materials for disposal

3. Record Keeping and Compliance

Daily logging of certain data such as temperature and humidity to identify potential problems with environmental controls.
Monitor cage cards for accurate information, correct errors when possible and as appropriate. Report issues to PIs, as needed.
Maintain Death and Illness/Injury Log Book, report all such cases to PIs and veterinarian as needed. Present logs for inspection on demand.
Ensure compliance with SOPs and other protocols.
Ensure compliance with any rules, regulations, and laws set forth by the Animal Care and Use Committee, Appointed Facility Veterinarian, or other regulatory agency.

4. Environmental Health and Safety

Ensure health and safety policies are followed, including human health monitoring protocols.
Regularly receive required training to remain current on best practices; independently strive to maintain and improve expertise in safe animal husbandry, and educate other authorized personnel.
Participate and coordinate safety inspections and emergency preparedness drills.
Coordinate with other laboratory staff for timely removal of hazardous materials, including animal carcasses, waste/debris boxes, and hazardous chemicals.

5. Other Duties As Assigned

Assist faculty as requested, and as approved by the Director of Laboratory Operations
Attend Animal Care and Use Committee meetings
May assist in training and providing guidance to student laboratory assistants

D. GENERAL GUIDELINES

May recommend initiatives and implements changes to improve quality of animal care and services, and maintenance of vivariums.
May identify and determine cause of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices.
Maintains regular communication with PIs and EHS personnel.
Maximizes productivity through use of appropriate tools; planned training and performance initiatives.
Ensures completeness, accuracy and timeliness of all operational functions.
May contribute to guidelines and SOPs to support the functions of the Vivariums

E. QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred.

This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment and to promote and contribute to an inclusive and respectful workplace.

1. Knowledge

Understanding of animal care and basic husbandry
Understanding of basic equipment maintenance common to such facilities
Sound understanding of safety principles and protocols
Understand and support the values and ideals of a Jesuit education

2. Skills and Abilities

Basic computing skills and knowledge (experience in Google-suite preferred)
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Excellent organizational skills with an attention to accuracy and detail
Ability to prioritize and respond to a wide variety of demands
Ability to be flexible while working with a diverse population of users

Ability to take initiative and work independently as well as function well in a team environment
Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with others and maintain relationships with internal and external clients.
Maintain a high level of confidentiality and exercise sound judgement
Handle detailed information with a high degree of accuracy
Ability to prioritize, multitask, meet deadlines and handle stressful situations with tact and sensitivity

3. Education

Bachelor's degree, in biological, veterinary or other animal science (preferred), or equivalent combination of education and/or experience required.

4. Years of Experience

At least 2-3 years of experience required. Preferably working with animals in a technical setting (school, vet, zoo, accredited animal technologies program).

F. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities. A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education, or other requirements of the position, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Some time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal.
May be required to travel to other buildings on the campus.
May be required to receive orders of heavy or otherwise awkward materials (no more than 50 pounds)
May be required to attend conference and training sessions within Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations.
Understand that injury may be possible from animal bites, scratches
Tetanus vaccine is a minimum requirement, other vaccines may also be required or recommended based on type of work and model animals being used in research
Participation in SCU's medical assessment program (to ensure employee health when working with animals).

G. WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Mix of indoor office environment without windows, and spaces typical of animal labs (surgery rooms, procedure and holding spaces, wet work spaces)
Laboratory spaces with some equipment and animal noise as well as animal odors
Spaces with controlled lighting, including white and red light

COVID-19 Statement

The health and safety of the university community is a top priority. All Santa Clara University students, and employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or request a medical or religious exemption. Please visit our COVID-19 webpage for additional information.

Telecommute

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and California State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University's equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, see https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/policies-reports/

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Santa Clara University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender, and prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. Information about Title IX can be found at www.scu.edu/title-ix. Information about Section 504 and the ADA Coordinator can be found at https://www.scu.edu/oae/, (408) 554-4109, oae@scu.edu. Inquiries can also be made to the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please go to the Campus Safety Services website . To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Santa Clara University affirms its commitment to employ qualified individuals with disabilities within the workplace and to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. All applicants desiring an accommodation should contact the Department of Human Resources, and 408-554-5750 and request to speak to Indu Ahluwalia by phone at 408-554-5750 or by email at iahluwalia@scu.edu.

To view the full job posting and apply for this position, go to https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/scu/scu/job/Santa-Clara-CA/Animal-Care-Technician_R4102

Job Details

Contact Us

Follow Us