Vivarium Technician

Job Family Group:

Staff

Department/Office:

D. R. Semmes School of Science

Time Type:

Full time

Compensation:

$18.98-$23.73

Please note, starting salaries are based on factors including internal equity, relevant experience, and education.

Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

Job Description:

The Vivarium Technician maintains the animal care facility and provides consistent, high-quality husbandry services in accordance with Trinity University policies and procedures. The position operates and maintains facility equipment and supports the daily care of research animals housed at the institution. The Vivarium Technician is expected to be self-motivated, dependable, attentive to detail, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.

JOB DUTIES

• Provides daily husbandry for multiple laboratory animal species, including health checks and observations; feeding; monitoring automatic and manual watering systems; changing and cleaning animal cages, racks, and related accessories; and safely handling and restraining animals.
• Provides animal-room services, including maintaining complete and accurate daily room logs; monitoring expiration dates for consumables; following special husbandry instructions associated with approved research needs; and sanitizing rooms, surfaces, and equipment using appropriate disinfectants and detergents.
• Operates cage-wash and sanitation equipment. Prepares cages, racks, transport carts, and related equipment for washing by breaking down caging, removing bedding and waste, and dumping or scraping cages as required. Reassembles and prepares clean caging and equipment for use.
• Stocks and maintains husbandry and facility supplies, including personal protective equipment, animal feed, bedding, enrichment materials, cleaning products, and other consumables. Reports low inventory, equipment malfunctions, and facility concerns promptly.
• Complies with institutional health and safety requirements, general laboratory practices, approved IACUC protocols and policies, standard operating procedures, and applicable animal-welfare requirements. Participates in required training and promptly reports animal-health, safety, or compliance concerns.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Cooperates and collaborates with other employees in the spirit of teamwork and collegiality and interacts with confidence, patience, and integrity.
• Complies with all Trinity University policies and guidelines.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Required:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred:

Bachelor’s degree in biology or animal sciences.

EXPERIENCE

Required:

One year of experience in animal care, laboratory animal husbandry, veterinary care, research support, or a related setting.

Preferred:

Three years of experience in animal care, laboratory animal husbandry, veterinary care, research support, or a related setting.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Required:

• Ability to learn and consistently follow animal care, safety, sanitation, and facility procedures.
• Ability to recognize and promptly report changes in animal health, behavior, food or water consumption, and environmental conditions.
• Ability to safely handle and restrain multiple laboratory animal species after appropriate training.
• Time and task management skills, including the ability to complete scheduled care activities reliably and accurately.
• Organization, recordkeeping, and written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred:

Knowledge of laboratory animal care practices, biosecurity principles, and IACUC requirements.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

Preferred: AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification, or willingness to pursue certification.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• All jobs require a current Criminal Background Check (CBC).
• Ability to work scheduled weekends, holidays, and emergency or overtime assignments as required to maintain continuous animal care.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

DECISION MAKING

Performs recurring work under established procedures while exercising judgment to identify and promptly report unusual animal-health, facility, equipment, safety, or research conditions.

BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY

None.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

None.