Animal Care Technician

Animal Care Technician I

DLAR-Animal Husbandry - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (26005086)

The Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) Animal Care Technician I will provide husbandry and care of laboratory animals with a commitment to animal welfare and well-being. The candidate will:

provide food, water and enrichment
perform cage changes including cleaning and sanitizing animal housing enclosures, equipment and rooms
complete daily health observations and administer basic medical treatments, procedures and unique diets and
maintain logs documenting animal care activities and verification of environmental parameters and equipment function
provide facility support tasks including laundering scrubs, performing general cleaning, sweeping, mopping, stocking supply areas and assisting with cagewash operations

The successful candidate must consistently demonstrate positive interpersonal and customer service skills; be proficient with technology in order to use common applications (e.g. email, Microsoft Office, Pittworx); be available to work weekends and holidays; stand for extended periods of time; lift 50 pounds; push/pull heavy equipment; and pass the mandatory criminal and social background checks. Candidates working in the Rangos Research Building at Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh will need to obtain Child Protection Clearances. Vaccinations and TB testing may be required.

Pay rate is $18.63/hour.

Job Summary

Provides animal care to laboratory animals, including feeding, watering, enrichment, health observations and basic medical treatments. Performs cage cleaning and facility sanitization procedures in accordance with standard operating procedures and maintains timely and accurate documentation.

Essential Functions

The employee must be able to:

read, understand, and follow DLAR and other institutional guidance documents (SOPs, policies), including IACUC approved animal protocols when applicable

follow written and verbal instructions

demonstrate sufficient fine motor skill to manipulate animals and equipment; negotiate around equipment within close quarters; move between rooms and workspaces

have sufficient visual acuity to observe animal behavior and recognize animals inadvertently left in cages as well as automated equipment notifications and printouts

have sufficient audible acuity to hear equipment alarms and other warnings.

wear facility specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for extended periods of time required by the job duties based on risk assessment from EH&S

work directly with live or dead animals and clean or soiled bedding and caging with reasonable accommodations if necessary

accurately and legibly document written information in English in a timely manner, including electronic formats and applications (e.g., PRISM, CAMS)

effective written and verbal communication in English, including the use of email

successfully enroll in University of Pittsburgh Animal Exposure Surveillance Program (AESP) and other medical surveillance/immunization programs as dictated by current research activities

receive vaccinations and health assessments, including TB testing, required to work in some animal holding or procedure areas in accordance with DLAR and/or EH&S policies and practices

Physical Effort

The employee must be able to:
stand for extended periods of time for the majority of the workday
lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds including, but not limited to, caging and equipment, bags or boxes of animal diet and animal bedding
operate flatbed hand trucks or pallet jacks to push/pull heavier objects or weights exceeding 50 pounds
perform repetitive motion tasks that involve pushing, pulling, twisting, reaching, and/or bending
physically handle and restrain a variety of small and large laboratory animals and negotiate and navigate around animal facility caging, equipment, and the physical plant.

Assignment Category: Full-time regular

Job Classification: Staff.Animal Care Technician I

Job Family: Research

Job Sub Family: Animal Research

Campus: Pittsburgh

Minimum Education Level Required: High School Diploma/GED

Minimum Years of Experience Required: No experience required

Will this position accept substitution in lieu of education or experience: Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.


Additional details about Required Licensure/Certification: None required.


Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; some weekends and holidays


Work Arrangement: On-Campus: Teams that work on campus, in an office, or in a lab.

Hiring Range: $18.63/hour

Relocation_Offered: No

Visa Sponsorship Provided: No

Background Check: For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check

Child Protection Clearances: Not Applicable

Required Documents: Resume

Optional Documents: Not Applicable

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