Animal Care Technician

Job Summary
Our client is seeking an Animal Care Technician to support the daily operation and maintenance of a laboratory animal facility. This position will provide daily husbandry and care for laboratory animals, primarily rodents, while maintaining clean, sanitary, and compliant animal facilities.
The ideal candidate will be dependable, detail-oriented, and committed to providing high-quality research support and humane animal care in accordance with established guidelines, regulations, training requirements, and SOPs.

Responsibilities / Job Duties

• Provide daily husbandry and care to laboratory animals, predominantly rodents, in accordance with established SOPs, guidelines, regulations, and training requirements.
• Perform daily maintenance and sanitation of animal rooms, corridors, equipment, and other vivarium areas.
• Perform routine cage changing and support cage washing operations as needed.
• Receive incoming animals and laboratory supplies.
• Maintain inventory of consumable supplies and assist with stocking and ordering.
• Maintain accurate quality control documentation related to animal husbandry activities and facility equipment.
• Collaborate with Cage Wash Technicians to clean and sanitize cages and related equipment.
• Support the daily operational needs of the animal facility.
• Work effectively with site personnel and maintain clear communication regarding schedules, tasks, and facility needs.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent is highly desirable.
• AALAS-ALAT certification or international equivalent is highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to humane laboratory animal care.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including professionalism, integrity, transparency, and trust.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a fast-paced team environment.
• Strong attention to detail and individual accountability.
• Reliable and consistent in completing daily animal husbandry responsibilities.
• Ability to follow established SOPs, guidelines, regulations, and training requirements.
• Strong commitment to providing quality research service support.

Experience

• Experience providing laboratory animal husbandry and facility support is preferred.
• Experience working with laboratory rodents is preferred.
• Experience with cage changing, animal room sanitation, inventory management, animal/supply receipt, and cage wash operations is beneficial.
• AALAS-ALAT certification or equivalent is highly desirable.

Skills

• Laboratory animal husbandry and care.
• Vivarium sanitation and facility maintenance.
• Cage changing and cage wash procedures.
• Inventory control and supply management.
• Quality control documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize daily responsibilities.

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. and move heavy objects.
• Must be able to remain standing for prolonged periods.
• Must be able to perform repetitive motion tasks.
• Must be available to support weekend, holiday, emergency, and after-hours operational responsibilities as needed.
• Must be able to work in a dynamic, fast-paced research environment.
• This position requires a strong commitment to maintaining humane animal care practices and following all applicable laboratory animal care requirements.

Schedule / Shift

• Schedule may include weekend coverage.
• Candidates must have flexibility to support weekend, holiday, emergency, and after-hours responsibilities as required.

Benefits

• Paid Sick Leave (Medix provides paid sick leave according to state and local sick leave ordinances).
• Health Benefits / Dental / Vision (Medix offers 6 different health plans: 3 Major Medical Plans, 2 Fixed Indemnity Plans (Standard and Preferred), and 1 Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) Plan. Eligibility for health benefits is based on verifying that an average of 30 hours per week during the first 4 weeks of the work assignment has been met. If you meet eligibility requirements and take action to enroll, you will be covered no earlier than 60 days into your assignment, depending on plan selection(s)).
• 401k (Eligible on the first 401k open enrollment date following 6 consecutive months on assignment. 401k Open Enrollment dates are 1/1, 4/1, 7/1, and 10/1).
• Short Term Disability Insurance.
• Term Life Insurance Plan.

* We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO), Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers (ULAC), The San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (FCO), and the California Fair Chance Act (CFCA).
* As a job position within our Life Sciences division, a successful completion of a background check may be required as a condition of employment. This requirement is directly related to essential job functions including but not limited to: high-risk work environments (warehouse or industrial areas), high-risk/ high-error job duties that could result in life-threatening injury or death, operation of heavy-duty machinery, working with hazardous chemicals, exposure to other dangerous materials, such as drugs and sharp instruments. Due to these job duties, this position has a significant impact on the business operations and reputation, as well as the safety and well-being of individuals who may be cared for as part of the job position or who may interact with staff or clients.

Other Duties
This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that may be required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.