Title: Animal Care Technician
Location: Gaithersburg, MD
Duration: 03 months
Schedule: M-F 8am to 4:30pm
Position Summary
The Housekeeping/Cage Wash Technician is responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, and SOP-compliant animal research facility. This role supports vivarium operations through housekeeping, sanitization, cage wash activities, inventory management, and general operational support.
Essential Responsibilities
- Perform general housekeeping duties, including:
- Removing trash
- Sweeping and mopping floors
- Cleaning corridors, stairwells, restrooms, procedure rooms, surgery clinics, and necropsy areas
- Clean, sanitize, and restock bathrooms and facility areas as needed
- Scrub and disinfect rooms in accordance with SOPs
- Transport equipment and supplies between rooms and facilities
- Operate cage wash equipment and ensure proper functionality
- Assist with maintenance and minor repairs of cage wash equipment
- Receive, store, and inventory animal feed, bedding, and facility supplies
- Maintain accurate records and documentation
- Assist Animal Technicians with husbandry duties as needed
- Monitor and maintain housekeeping supply inventory levels
- Follow all safety procedures and facility protocols
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Education
- High School Diploma or GED required
Experience
- Minimum 1 year of cage wash experience in a laboratory animal facility preferred
- Experience handling chemicals, detergents, and disinfectants safely
- Receiving and inventory management experience preferred
- Experience operating large equipment preferred
Technical Skills
- Familiarity with Microsoft Outlook, Email, and Teams
- Understanding of chemical safety practices
- Ability to follow SOPs and safety procedures
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Adaptable and willing to ask questions when clarification is needed
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to prioritize tasks and solve problems independently
- Capable of working with minimal supervision
- Follows instructions accurately and consistently
Physical Requirements
- Frequent standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, bending, and reaching
- Ability to lift, push, pull, and move equipment and materials
- Regular lifting up to 50 lbs.
- Occasional movement of heavier items up to 100 lbs.
- Ability to work at a fast pace throughout the shift
- Must possess close vision and the ability to adjust focus
Work Environment
- Laboratory animal facility environment
- Exposure to:
- Cleaning agents, detergents, and disinfectants
- Fumes and airborne particles
- Wet, humid, hot, and cold conditions
- Moving mechanical equipment
- Biohazardous materials and infectious agents
- Potential electrical hazards
- Moderate noise levels
- May occasionally work in elevated or restricted-access areas
- Must comply with all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements
Additional Requirements
- Previous cage wash or laboratory animal facility experience strongly preferred
- Comfortable working around large equipment
- Strong teamwork and communication skills
- Reliable attendance and adherence to schedule requirements
- Must be approved to wear respiratory, eye, and hearing protection