Animal Care Technician I

Animal Care Technician IJob Title - Animal Care Technician IDepartment Name - Laboratory Animal ResourcesWork Location - Lexington, KYGrade Level - 40Salary Range - $15.61-24.99/hourType of Position - StaffPosition Time Status - Full-TimeRequired Education - HSRequired Related Experience - 1 yrRequired License/Registration/Certification - NonePhysical Requirements - Requires heavy lifting, pushing or pulling of objects over 50 pounds; animal handling (including carcasses); risk of injuries from use of equipment on the job; exposure to temperature extremes, cuts/punctures, and bloodborne/airborne pathogens. Able to work in hot, wet areas and wear personal protective clothing.Shift - Monday – Friday; 7:00 am – 3:30 pm (40 hours per week); This position is required to participate in weekend, after hours, Holiday and on-call rotations. Occasional mandatory overtime may be required to meet staffing needs. Must report during campus mandatory close.Job Summary - Support high-quality animal care and research operations through consistent, attentive facility and animal care. The University of Kentucky is seeking an Animal Care Technician I to join the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR). This position performs routine animal care and facility care for mice and other rodents, non-human primates, pigeons, dogs, and other animal species while following DLAR standard operating procedures (SOPs). The role supports safe, reliable daily operations through cage washing, animal husbandry, accurate documentation, and careful monitoring of animals and their environments.What You'll DoClean and sterilize cages, equipment, supplies, rooms, and animal enclosures while completing daily cage wash activities according to DLAR SOPs.Provide routine animal care, including changing cages and supplies, feeding and watering animals according to prescribed diets, and organizing feed, bedding, and other supplies.Observe animals and environmental conditions, accurately documenting and promptly reporting changes in behavior, health, temperature, humidity, lighting, or other conditions.Receive, house, and transfer incoming rodents and small animal species while verifying transfer and delivery documentation.Maintain animal care checklists, room logs, equipment records, washer and sterilizer quality assurance testing, and other required documentation.Monitor cage wash equipment and report washer, sterilizer, and other equipment malfunctions to the appropriate team lead or supervisor.Support the training of STEPS employees in cage wash activities and basic animal care and housing, as assigned.Follow applicable DLAR SOPs, safety procedures, attendance expectations, and established work practices.What You'll BringDependability and a consistent commitment to quality, safety, and established procedures.Strong attention to detail when caring for animals, monitoring conditions, and maintaining records.Effective organization, documentation, reporting, and communication skills.Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and provide assistance to colleagues when needed.Willingness to learn animal species requirements, cage wash processes, equipment operation, and other job-specific procedures through training.A positive attitude and commitment to ongoing professional development.Minimum RequirementsHigh school education1 year of related experienceWhat's In It for YouOpportunities to build skills through department meetings, on-the-job training, species-specific training, and other DLAR-sponsored development activities.Experience working across DLAR facilities and developing skills in animal care, facility care, safety procedures, documentation, and quality assurance.UK's Exceptional Benefits