Animal Care Technician

Title: Animal Care Technician

Location: Gaithersburg, MD

Duration: 03 months

Schedule: M-F 8am to 4:30pm

Position Summary

The Housekeeping/Cage Wash Technician is responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, and SOP-compliant animal research facility. This role supports vivarium operations through housekeeping, sanitization, cage wash activities, inventory management, and general operational support.

Essential Responsibilities

• Perform general housekeeping duties, including:
• Removing trash
• Sweeping and mopping floors
• Cleaning corridors, stairwells, restrooms, procedure rooms, surgery clinics, and necropsy areas
• Clean, sanitize, and restock bathrooms and facility areas as needed
• Scrub and disinfect rooms in accordance with SOPs
• Transport equipment and supplies between rooms and facilities
• Operate cage wash equipment and ensure proper functionality
• Assist with maintenance and minor repairs of cage wash equipment
• Receive, store, and inventory animal feed, bedding, and facility supplies
• Maintain accurate records and documentation
• Assist Animal Technicians with husbandry duties as needed
• Monitor and maintain housekeeping supply inventory levels
• Follow all safety procedures and facility protocols
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required

Experience

• Minimum 1 year of cage wash experience in a laboratory animal facility preferred
• Experience handling chemicals, detergents, and disinfectants safely
• Receiving and inventory management experience preferred
• Experience operating large equipment preferred

Technical Skills

• Familiarity with Microsoft Outlook, Email, and Teams
• Understanding of chemical safety practices
• Ability to follow SOPs and safety procedures

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Adaptable and willing to ask questions when clarification is needed
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize tasks and solve problems independently
• Capable of working with minimal supervision
• Follows instructions accurately and consistently

Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, bending, and reaching
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and move equipment and materials
• Regular lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Occasional movement of heavier items up to 100 lbs.
• Ability to work at a fast pace throughout the shift
• Must possess close vision and the ability to adjust focus

Work Environment

• Laboratory animal facility environment
• Exposure to:
• Cleaning agents, detergents, and disinfectants
• Fumes and airborne particles
• Wet, humid, hot, and cold conditions
• Moving mechanical equipment
• Biohazardous materials and infectious agents
• Potential electrical hazards
• Moderate noise levels
• May occasionally work in elevated or restricted-access areas
• Must comply with all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements

Additional Requirements

• Previous cage wash or laboratory animal facility experience strongly preferred
• Comfortable working around large equipment
• Strong teamwork and communication skills
• Reliable attendance and adherence to schedule requirements
• Must be approved to wear respiratory, eye, and hearing protection