Animal Health Technician I

Under the direction of the Small Animal Health Technician III and Senior Animal Health Team Leader, the Animal Health Technician I provides technical and clinical support services within the Building 49 Central Animal Facility (CAF). This position requires a working knowledge of veterinary technology and animal science, along with the ability to perform routine technical procedures and support animal health monitoring.

The Animal Health Technician I must demonstrate competency in basic clinical and technical skills, including identifying abnormal animal conditions and supporting veterinary treatments as prescribed by the facility veterinarian.

Requirements

• Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) at the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) level required.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a laboratory animal facility.
• Experience must include species housed within Building 49 CAF (e.g., rodents, rabbits, and non-human primates).
• Minimum education: High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and general computer systems.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and work effectively within a team environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Technical & Animal Care Support

• Perform routine technical procedures including:
  • Injections
  • Blood collection
  • Tumor observations
  • Timed mating and plug checks
  • Weaning of animals
  • Tail biopsies and ear tagging
  • Weighing animals
  • Subcutaneous transponder implantation
• Support environmental enrichment activities.
• Assist with sanitation of surgical rooms and support areas.
• Transport carcasses and sentinel animals to diagnostic laboratories.
• Work under ABS Level I and II conditions.

Monitoring & Compliance

• Adhere to all established Building 49 SOPs, security procedures, and confidentiality requirements.
• Identify and report potential issues involving animals, equipment, or facility conditions.
• Maintain accurate data entry using Microsoft Office and facility systems.

Team Support

• Work effectively with co-workers, veterinary staff, and laboratory personnel.
• Follow oral and written instructions as directed.
• Assist Animal Health Team Leaders in meeting contractual obligations and daily operational needs.

Hours

Basic work week of forty (40) hours per week. Work schedule is dependent upon contract requirements and institutional research needs. Weekend and holiday work may be required. Reliable attendance is essential to ensure appropriate levels of animal care. May be subject to call-in for facility or animal health emergencies and may provide weekend coverage during staffing shortages.

Physical Requirements:

Lifting/Moving Requirements

Light work; lifting to 50 pounds occasionally; repetitive lifting/manipulation of up to 10 pounds; applying up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move or roll objects.

Environmental Conditions

Work is performed in animal care and vivarium environments. Duties may require entry into barrier facilities, surgical suites, and laboratory settings. Exposure to hot/humid conditions, odors, aerosols, dust, animal dander, and noise may occur. Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required.