POSITION SUMMARY
This position is responsible for routine processing of clean and soiled cages and accessories, maintenance and general janitorial duties in animal facilities, equipment maintenance, basic QA testing, processing deliveries from vendors and performing basic rodent husbandry tasks based on standard operating procedures and training to ensure compliance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the Animal Welfare Act and Regulations as well as all applicable federal, state, local and institutional laws, regulations, policies and guidelines.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PERFORMS THESE FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES BASED ON SOP AND TRAINING:
CLEAN AND SOILED CAGE WASH OPERATIONS
AHT 1, LEVEL A:
- Cleans, sanitizes and/or sterilizes rodent cages and accessories.
- Operates large cage washers and sterilizing equipment including rack washer, tunnel washer, autoclave, disposal units, automatic watering systems and automatic bedding dispenser.
- Washes, sanitizes, sterilizes and/or fills water bottles.
- Maintains and verifies sanitization/ sterilization parameters.
- Prepares specialized caging for sterile and BSL2 rodents.
- Maintains sufficient supply of clean cages and accessories for use by technicians/investigators.
- Operates electric power jack, manual power jack and dollies.
- Moves large equipment on casters and wheels.
AHT 1, LEVEL B: IN ADDITION TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEVEL A
- Cleans, sanitizes and/or sterilizes multi-species (including NHP, amphibians and aquatics) cages, equipment and accessories.
- Removes and processes biohazard waste materials from caging and from facilities.
- Maintains storage rooms with appropriate levels of tools and caging materials.
AHT 1, LEVEL C: IN ADDITION TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEVEL A/B
- Receives and processes all deliveries of equipment and materials from vendors.
- Assists with QA testing and tracking (eg: luminometer/ ATP, airflow, etc.).
JANITORIAL
- Sweeps, mops and disinfects floors in washrooms, halls and support areas.
- Sanitizes and decontaminates floors, walls, ceilings and other surfaces based on standardized schedule.
- Collects and disposes of trash from the animal facility to the waste receptacles.
MAINTENANCE
AHT 1, LEVEL A:
- Performs basic rack washer, tunnel washer, automatic bedding dispenser and autoclave equipment maintenance.
- Cleans and sanitizes support equipment.
- Stocks room with sufficient supplies (eg: food, bedding and materials).
- Performs room maintenance (eg: break rooms, locker rooms, ante rooms, procedure rooms, etc.).
AHT 1, LEVEL B/C: IN ADDITION TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEVEL A
- Maintains and performs preventative maintenance on cage wash equipment.
- Assists with procedure room maintenance including (but not limited to) recording of environmental parameters, cleaning of procedural space and equipment, collecting soiled equipment from carts, stocking room with supplies and caging equipment.
CARCASS DISPOSAL
AHT 1, LEVEL A:
- Manages animal carcasses in soiled cage wash and other procedure rooms for disposal.
AHT 1, LEVEL B/C: IN ADDITION TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEVEL A
- Manages USDA covered species carcasses in soiled cage wash, necropsy and other procedure rooms for disposal.
BASIC RODENT HUSBANDRY TASKS
AHT 1, LEVEL A:
- Not applicable
AHT1, LEVEL B:
- Prepares Virkon-S and disinfectants solutions.
- Prepares caging supplies for investigators and ARD based on Footprint request.
- Processes and stocks equipment and materials at on-site and off-site storage facilities.
- Collects cages targeted for euthanasia and performs euthanasia as needed.
- Ensures sufficient materials and supplies are stocked in clean storage rooms and other critical areas in the facilities.
AHT1, LEVEL C: IN ADDITION TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEVEL B
- Performs Husbandry health/ line checks/cage changes.
- Performs animal census.
- Performs equipment maintenance in animal holding rooms (eg: ATS, Ventilated racks).
- Assists with water valve refurbishment.
- Assists with ventilated rack maintenance (eg: rack processing, wheel change outs, caster replacement).
- Supports Rodent Sentinel health monitoring program with acquisition of bedding samples from animals as assigned using approved sampling techniques.
OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED
AHT 1, LEVEL A:
- Keeps records according to standards appropriate for the animal care facility.
- Folds Lab coats.
- Tests water valves.
- Performs additional projects as required or assigned.
- Communicates effectively with peers to complete job tasks.
- Performs job duties safely and promotes safety in the animal care facility.
AHT 1, LEVEL B: IN ADDITION TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEVEL A
- Assists with developing departmental Standard Operating Procedures.
- Assists in training AHT I, LEVEL A.
AHT 1, LEVEL C: IN ADDITION TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEVEL A/B
- Communicates and provides feedback for on-the-floor activity.
- Troubleshoots Operations issues as needed.
- Assists in training AHT I, LEVEL A/B.
EDUCATION
Required:
- High School Diploma or equivalent
Preferred:
- AALAS certification at ALAT or higher level (AHT I, Level C)
- A.A, B.A, or B.S degree
EXPERIENCE
Required:
- No experience necessary (AHT I, Level A)
- Minimum 6 months of related work experience (AHT 1, Level B)
- Minimum 1 year of related work experience (AHT I, Level C)
Preferred:
- Experience working in a lab animal environment
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
ABILITY TO:
LEVELS A/B/C:
- Strictly follow written and verbal instructions.
- Maintain focus during repetitive and fast-paced tasks.
- Perform procedures and repetitive tasks safely with special attention to ergonomics.
- Work in a challenging environment including but not limited to high temperatures and humidity, strong odors, loud equipment, animal waste and carcasses.
- Work in a collaborative, team environment.
- Wear personal protective equipment.
LEVEL B/C:
- Train other staff effectively.
- Identify and report issues affecting Quality Assurance program.
- Uses good judgment and follow strict guidelines/ procedures when processing biohazardous materials.
- Identify and report issues affecting QA program, cage wash operations, equipment, vendors materials and supplies and environmental parameters.
SKILLS:
LEVELS A/B/C:
- Acute observation and attention to details.
- Good and accurate record keeping.
LEVEL C:
- Recognition of basic conditions affecting the health and wellbeing of rodents.
- Performing basic rodent handling and treatment.
The salary range for this position is $16.83-$19.50 an hour.
SPECIAL CONDIDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Must be able to work a flexible schedule that may include weekends and holidays.
- Must be able to work overtime based on workload and deadlines.
- Must be able to work assigned standard schedule: Monday – Friday, Sunday – Thursday or Tuesday – Saturday, 6:00 a.m.- 2:30 p.m./6:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m./7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m./ 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Management reserves the right to change or modify assigned schedules based on operational needs.
- Post offer physical required which may include respirator fit test.
- Possible rotating schedule.
- Must be willing to sign a confidentiality agreement.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
As a safeguard for employees and animals, all ARD employees may be subject to vaccines/tests/physical exams prior to working with specific animals or animal populations as required by research needs including but not limited to:
- TB Testing/Clearance (once a year)
- Tetanus/ Diphtheria (vaccination < 10 years proof of immunization and/or vaccination)
- Measles (proof of immunization and/or vaccination)
- Periodic physical exams (may include respirator fit test)
- Other vaccines/tests as required by Occupational Health & Safety standards
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/MENTAL ACTIVITIES/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
This position requires constant adjusting focus, hearing, lifting up to 20 lbs., reaching, seeing, standing, communicating, working inside, and exposure to: fumes/odors/mists/dusts, noise, potential allergens, potential hazards.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)