Animal Care Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Are you passionate about science, dedicated to animal welfare, and committed to fostering strong team dynamics? Do you thrive on hands-on work, embrace continuous learning, and seek a career that makes a meaningful impact? If so, we invite you to join us and make a difference!

Location: Taconic Biosciences is seeking Animal Care Technicians to join our dedicated operations team at our new Seattle, WA site. Our animal care team is passionate about the Taconic mission, collaborative, energetic and positive.

The Starting Pay : $23.10 per hour. Exact compensation may vary based on several factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, geographic location, experience, training, education, and local market conditions.

The Work Schedule: Shifts start at 7:00am Monday - Friday. Rotating weekends will be required once trained with a pay differential included.

What we offer:

• Insurance within 30 days or less which includes options for medical, dental, vision, pet insurance and more!
• 20 days paid time off plus 6 additional holidays and 1 floating holiday
• Work life balance
• 401(k) plan with up to 4% employer match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Career advancement opportunities
• Commitment to training and providing you with the skills you need for success
• All employees receive access to 24/7 telemedicine (including mental health), short- and long-term disability and life insurance

The Role:
Animal Care Technicians embark on their journey at Taconic Biosciences as Animal Care Technician Trainees, participating in our comprehensive training program to master Taconic's operational protocols. As you progress through the training, you will advance from Animal Care Technician levels 1 to 3, with opportunities to reach Senior Specialist positions based on your demonstrated skills and behaviors. Your growth is supported by regular check-ins with your manager, ensuring you receive the guidance needed for success.

As a valued member of our Animal Care Technician team, you will specialize in the compassionate care of rats and/or mice, adhering meticulously to Taconic's Standard Operating Procedures, regulatory standards, and client specifications. Your role is integral to Taconic Biosciences’ success in advancing research efforts aimed at developing cures for diseases, contributing directly to our mission of improving lives.

Your Core Responsibilities as an Animal Care Technician 1:

• Ensure high standards of animal welfare are met.
• Report inhumane treatment regarding animal care, use or abuse.
• Perform husbandry; supply feed, water and house according to SOP.
• Monitor temperature and humidity and report problems to appropriate person.
• Maintain cleanliness of area.
• Document work performed according to SOP’s.
• Follow procedure for dress and/or required showering.
• Follow procedures to maintain health status of designated area.
• Follow procedures for breeding of specific strains or project lines. Achieve expected production.
• Take part in weight, feed, and production studies.
• Take samples for quality control.
• Determination of timed pregnancy, as assigned.
• Reserve, select, and accurately pack animals for orders.
• Maintain various types of animal colonies.
• Order supplies, load and unload supplies, containers or supply cylinders.
• Transfer to and receive animals from other colonies.
• Maintain accurate inventories and breeding records, and complete weekly reports as required.
• Escalate issues to others as necessary.

Education & Experience:

• High School diploma, General Education Diploma (GED), or equivalent life experience.
• Preferred experience in a laboratory animal setting, showcasing proficiency in handling and care.
• Exemplary attendance record and strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to teamwork, consistently offering assistance and fostering a collaborative environment.
• Proactively engages with a contagious enthusiasm and curiosity, continuously seeking opportunities for learning and growth.
• Prioritizes safety above all else, ensuring meticulous adherence to safety protocols to maintain a secure work environment.

Additional Skills:

• Strong organizational skills and acute attention to detail, essential for maintaining accuracy and efficiency.
• Adaptable and responsive to dynamic work demands, embracing unexpected tasks with a positive attitude and flexibility.
• Effective communication skills and a proven ability to collaborate effectively within a team, enhancing productivity and morale.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment:
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regular physical exertion is required such as climbing, crouching, crawling, and/or lifting items up to 50 pounds. 
• Limited use of chemicals, protective measures, and/or work with heavy machinery may be required. Regular exposure to extremes in temperature, outdoor weather, and/or noise levels occurs within the work environment, and/or access to the work environment may be restricted.

Allergen Disclosure:
Due to the nature of the work performed at Taconic, employees may be exposed to allergens in the workplace, even if their positions do not involve the direct handling of animals or animal bedding.  While individuals with preexisting allergies and/or asthma may be particularly sensitive to these exposures, anyone can experience a reaction.

About Us:
With a history of over 65 years of excellence, Taconic Biosciences is a global team of the best problem solvers in the industry.  We partner with our clients to develop winning research strategies that accelerate the discoveries for prevention and treatment of disease.

Taconic employees all over the world show up every day to deliver the best solutions for our clients while caring for ourselves, each other, and especially our animals.  If you are a respectful, compassionate individual with a can-do attitude and a desire to do the right thing, we want you to join us! 

Better Together at Taconic
Awareness, Action, & Respect. Taconic Biosciences is taking an active and intentional role in fostering a company culture that values and appreciates the uniqueness of all individuals, by promoting fairness and equity. Being you is what allows you to bring your best self to work. We are committed to making Taconic a safe and fair workplace for everyone. We are better together.  

Taconic Biosciences is an equal-opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status, and all other categories protected by law.

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