General Information
| Job Description | ANML TCHN SR | Working Title | Sr. Animal Tech |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job Code | 009524 | Grade | |
| Department Name | Office of Campus Veterinarian - D01159 | Department Head | Akiko Sanders |
| Supervisor | Dierk Biggs | Effective Date | 09/12/2022 |
Position(s) Directly Supervised
| Job Code | Title | FTE |
|---|
Department Custom Scope
| Under the general supervision of the area supervisor with day-to-day coaching, the employee has overall responsibility for managing and evaluating vivarium operations, implementing changes as required to maintain continued compliance with the guidelines set forth by various regulating bodies (i.e. USDA, AAALAC International) and the IACUC. The Senior Animal Technician will serve as back-up for other technicians in campus vivaria and will participate in training entry level technicians to perform routine animal husbandry tasks. Routine daily follow-up checks of work are made. Other assignments are made by the area supervisor on a project basis. |
Education & Experience Requirements
Education Requirements
| Degree | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Graduation from high school, completion of training equivalent to the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) certification of the AALAS, and two years of animal care experience; or high school graduation and three years of animal care experience in the care of animal species appropriate to the particular job; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position. | Required |
Experience Requirements
| Experience | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum of 2-4 years of experience. | Required |
License Requirements
| License | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) certification | Preferred |
| Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification | Required |
Certification Requirements
| Certification | Requirement |
|---|
Educational Condition Requirements
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|
Key Responsibilities
| Description | % Time |
|---|---|
| Animal Husbandry a. Perform routine animal husbandry tasks including cleaning, watering, feeding, and grooming of laboratory animals while following guidelines of the American Association for Laboratory Animals Science (AALAS) manual for Laboratory Technicians (LAT), departmental procedures and SOP's, and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (current edition). b. Clean and repair cages/enclosures and related ancillary equipment following departmental procedures. c. Observe laboratory animals and report any unexpected behavioral or physical abnormalities. d. Maintain animal identification cards and inventory records, room environment reports, and cage washing/autoclave/dry heat logs in assigned areas. e. Restrain animals using the proper technique for each species for technical procedures. f. Assist in providing special care for sick or experimentally infected animals as required. g. Assist the area supervisor with all record keeping of each animal received, including required federal forms, health charts, Identification numbers, and release forms. h. Collect samples of urine or feces following procedures in the manual for Laboratory Animal Technicians (LAT) or under the supervision of the Clinical Veterinarian. i. Receive and house newly arrived animals in proper caging and prepare cage identification cards and inventory records. j. Perform euthanasia on all animal species under the supervision of the Clinical Veterinarian. k. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor, including para-veterinary duties and perform duties of area lead technicians in their absence when assigned. | 50 |
| Supervision and Training, Facility Management, Planning and Evaluation a. Supervise, manage, plan and evaluate the vivarium needs, including the provision of animal support services for PI's. b. Train entry level staff members as needed in animal husbandry using the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science manual and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (current edition). c. Maintain appropriate environmental parameters in all animal rooms, which includes temperature, air exchanges, room pressure, and filter systems. d. Clean heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system louvers, grills and ducts at prescribed intervals following departmental guidelines and SOP's. e. Operate a cage rack/tunnel washer for cleaning and sanitation of cages, racks, trays, and pans. Operate an autoclave and/or a dry heat machine to sterilize caging equipment and supplies for the laboratory animals. f. Wash and sterilize water bottles, sipper tubes, and stoppers. g. Assign tasks and duties to be performed by technicians in providing animal husbandry duties. | 30 |
| Compliance a. Ensure compliance with health and safety, as well as animal welfare regulations set forth by various regulating bodies (i.e. USDA, AAALAC International) and the IACUC. | 10 |
| Record Keeping a. Initiate and oversee record keeping in each unit. b. Create and follow written SOP's of all animals and equipment housed in the vivarium. | 10 |
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
| Knowledge/Skill/Ability | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Demonstrated ability to manage a large experimental animal research facility. | Required |
| Ability to work in an animal research environment which requires continuous contact with animals. | Required |
| Demonstrated skill in performing para-veterinary procedures including anesthetizing, bleeding, administering medications and injections, and euthanizing animals. | Required |
| Demonstrated ability to project space and supply needs in response to changing animal populations. | Required |
| Experience in using web-based programs. | Required |
| Skill in organizing tasks, documents and materials with efficiency and accuracy. | Required |
| Skill in entering data into databases or spreadsheets. | Required |
| Experience in performing purchasing functions following purchasing policies and guidelines. | Required |
| Skill in creating spreadsheets and reports using Word, Excel, or other software applications. | Required |
| Skill in accurate record keeping with strict attention to detail. | Required |
| Knowledge of and the ability to apply the concept of contamination control practices. Including but not limited to engineering, administrative, and procedural controls for the containment of pathogens, including disinfection, and waste handling methods appropriate for work in hazardous containment facilities up to ABSL-2. | Required |
| Demonstrated knowledge of animal anatomy, care and grooming techniques. | Required |
| Ability to euthanize rats and mice using CO2 chambers. Must be able to follow the procedures for euthanasia including the use of the CO2 chamber, as well as be able to ascertain that death has occurred. Knowledge of appropriate labeling and disposal of the animals euthanized, including hazardous animals. | Required |
| Demonstrated ability to supervise and train new, inexperienced staff in proper animal handling techniques. | Required |
| Demonstrated knowledge of record-keeping required by various agencies. | Required |
| Experience using e-mail messaging and automated calendaring systems. | Required |
| Knowledge of techniques and ability to collect samples for laboratory study. | Required |
| Working knowledge of animal husbandry procedures sufficient to care for laboratory animals in an experimental environment. | Required |
| Ability to interact well with superiors, other animal technicians, PIs, and students. | Required |
| Demonstrated knowledge of Federal, state and local health and safety regulations for Vivaria and demonstrated skill at implementing same. | Required |
| Skill in handling a variety of animals in a variety of situations sufficient to prevent injury or distress to the animal or self. | Required |
| Knowledge of cleaning and sanitizing materials and techniques sufficient to maintain a healthy environment. | Required |
| Knowledge of habits and appearance of laboratory animals sufficient to notice deviations from normal. | Required |
| Experience in a supervisory role responsible for directing, disciplining, and complaint resolution. | Preferred |
| Ability to lift 50 lbs. | Preferred |
| Knowledge of the applicable UC policies and procedures governing areas related to the responsibilities of the position. | Preferred |
Special Requirements & Conditions
| Special Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Overtime | Required |
| Shift Work (hours outside standard Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM work hours) | Required |
Other Special Requirements & Conditions
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Level of Supervision Received
| General Supervision |
Environment
Working Environment
| Campus |
Other Requirements
Items Used
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Physical Requirements
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Mental Requirements
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Environmental Requirements
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Critical Position
| Is Critical Position: Yes |