Description

The Laboratory Animal Resource (LAR) group at Princeton University is a centralized administrative department reporting to the Office of the Dean for Research and is responsible for animal and veterinary care of all research animals at Princeton University. The Animal Technician provides state-of-the art animal care for laboratory animals housed within all facilities. Animal Care Technicians are considered essential services staff.

The primary responsibility is to provide animal care to the various laboratory species (rodents, aquatics, and USDA-covered species), the majority will be in the care of rodents. The Animal Technician ensures the cleanliness of the facility and the maintenance of adequate supplies of food and bedding materials, including PPE. The Animal Technician will work together with other technicians according to a schedule prepared by the LAR Manager and must be willing and able to rotate through all LAR facilities. The Animal Technician ensures the highest quality of laboratory animal care and research support, and has good communication skills with co-workers, the LAR management team, PIs, research staff, students, facility maintenance crews and other support services. This position reports directly to the Facility Manager.

Animal Husbandry:

Provides animal care for all species housed according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) including giving food and water to the animals, changing cages, sanitizing all supplies (cages, water bottles, food bins and other animal care related equipment), maintaining clean animal rooms, procedure rooms, hallways and other support areas, keeping records related to animal care. Completes work in a timely fashion and according to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and follows other written and verbal instructions as needed. Operates cage washing machinery, ventilated caging, water system, bedding dispensing units, full size to table top autoclaves and other equipment while following safety procedures.

Monitors, documents, and reports deviations from normal species specific environmental parameters such room temperature, humidity, lights, and air quality. Discovers and reports any facilities maintenance issues to the Facility Manager. Provides innovative and species specific environmental enrichment for laboratory animals including non-human primates, under the direction of Veterinary Services and according to research needs. Monitors animal health and welfare daily and reports sick and dead animals to the responsible researcher and Veterinary Services. Provides treatments to laboratory animals as prescribed by Vet Services.

Receiving, Inventory, Census, and Other Record Keeping:

Receives and maintains adequate inventory levels of cleaning materials, PPE supplies and bedding materials. Receives and maintains adequate levels of food, fruit, vegetables and other dietary supplements, and ensures adequate labeling of expiration dates consistent with the type and use of food. Prepares for the receiving of new animal shipments according to researcher's specifications. Receives new shipments of animals in LAR's electronic management software. Collects facility-wide animal census on a regular basis. Enters data accurately and timely into the electronic management systems, order and service request forms, husbandry logs, census sheets, vivarium calendar, and time reporting system. Provides receiving documents in a timely manner.

Essential services staff performs jobs that are necessary and required to maintain basic University operations. Work attendance during scheduled or unscheduled work closures due to emergencies, events or other situations. Must have the ability to work weekends and holidays when scheduled by the supervisor.

Other Duties As Assigned:

Assists with transgenic rodent breeding colony management. Demonstrates ability to perform tissue sample collection, set up mating pairs, wean animals, and track data in various software applications.

Cross trains and provides absentee support for other animal care technicians in other facilities. Rotates with other animal care technicians for week night, weekend and holiday coverage as needed. Exhibits a willingness to assume additional responsibilities and increase knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Essential Qualifications:

Work Experience: 1-3 years minimum of full-time work experience as an Animal Care Technician.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

-Willing and able to work safely with biological and chemical hazards and able to lift a minimum of fifty (50) lbs.
-Basic knowledge of biology and behavior of laboratory animal species including non-human primates.
-Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a laboratory animal resources team and ability to share husbandry knowledge with other animal care staff, students and new researchers.
-Proven ability to work independently and communicate well with different levels within the organization, and work well with a diverse team for a common goal consistent with the mission of the Laboratory Animal Resources.
-Proficient knowledge of federal, state and local Animal Welfare legislation and sound judgment how to balance optimal animal care, research goals, and regulatory requirements

The following tasks and skills that would be necessary for any person to fulfill while working as a Animal Caretaker in Laboratory Animal Resources:

-stand or walk continuously up to 6 hours per day;
-sit for up to 2 hours per day;
-lift or carry up to 20 pounds frequently (34-66% of the day) and up to 50 pounds occasionally (less than 33% day);
push or pull using forces up to 50 pounds frequently (34 66% of the work day);
-use hands for simple grasping, pushing or pulling, and fine manipulations constantly (more than 66% of the day);
-kneel, bend, squat, reach overhead, lift overhead, or push or pull frequently (34 66 % of the work day);
-knee stand, crawl, or climb step stools or 6-foot stepladders occasionally (less than 33% of the workday);
-lift up to 50 pounds in a range of motions from floor to waist height;
-lift up to 20 pounds in a range of motions from floor to overhead;
-work in a controlled laboratory environment under a variety of temperature and humidity conditions;
-possess ability to maintain balance, a full range of body motions, and physical tasks.

Preferred Qualifications:

-Ability to handle assignments and changing priorities as circumstances may arise.
-Excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate well person to person as well as per E-mail.
-Ability to use Microsoft Office Applications including Outlook and other software applications used in animal research and compliance such as an electronic animal management programs.
-Must achieve ALAT certification within the first year of employment and keep current through ongoing professional development in animal husbandry, equipment, caging, and related topics in laboratory animal science through active participation in local and national professional organizations.
-Ability to follow-up tasks from beginning to completion and carry out duties in accordance to supervisor deadlines and university requirements.
-Preserve confidential information and not disclose contents of this information except in the performance of the work assignment and in accordance with University and departmental policies and expectations.
-The final candidate will be required to successfully pass a background review.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.

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