Animal Laboratory Support Assistant I

Job Summary

CLOSING DATE: June 9, 2026, or until filled. Job postings are removed from the RCUH Job Openings site once the recruitment process has ended.


(2) Regular, Full-Time, RCUH Non-Civil Service position with the University of Hawai'i Animal and Veterinary Services (UH-AVS), located on the Manoa and Kaka'ako campuses in Honolulu, Hawai'i. Continuation of employment is dependent upon program/operational needs, satisfactory work performance, availability of funds, and compliance with applicable Federal/State laws.


MONTHLY SALARY: $3,293.33/Mon.


DUTIES: Provides standardized husbandry support for animals on a daily basis, including weekends and holidays. Works a variable schedule with mostly rodent species in a centralized animal resource supporting biomedical research at the University of Hawai'i (UH). Duties will include, but are not limited to: caring for and handling of a variety of animal species; observing animals for signs of illness or injury; treating animals as prescribed by the attending veterinarian, providing provisions of wholesome and palatable food and water; maintaining pertinent records; writing simple reports and completing forms pertaining to the care of animals; maintaining adequate inventories of supplies, food, bedding, equipment, and caging; receiving newly arrived animals; performing proper quarantine of animals; receiving supplies from vendors; assisting with the transportation of animals and supplies between facilities; general maintenance of facilities and equipment; cage cleaning and clean cage set-up; cleaning and disinfecting primary and secondary enclosures; housekeeping of the rooms and common areas; disposing of waste appropriately; conducting routine pest control, providing provisions of environmental enrichment; providing provision of environmental monitoring; obtaining continuing education through mandatory attendance at regularly scheduled staff meetings and through special training classes, such as certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS); and maintaining breeding colonies. Performance of all duties will comply with all Federal, State, local, and institutional regulations and policies governing the care and use of animals used for research and training. Training and certification by the AALAS are supported by the department, and necessary for progressing to higher levels. This is a progression job beginning with an entry level (Level I). It will assume the employee to start at Level I (unless justified and qualified to start at a higher level). Through experience, demonstrated competence, and operational needs, may be promoted to a higher level. Availability and ability to perform duties independently is expected to increase with each level of progression.


PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION: High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent.
EXPERIENCE: Six (6) months to one (1) year of animal-related work experience. This includes experience as a student assistant at AVS or centralized animal facility, work at a veterinary clinic/hospital, farm, or pet shop. (Equivalent training in a vertebrate animal field in a college-level course, such as animal science, biology, zoology, where animals are used in the classroom work and labs; OR successful completion of certification in animal-related fields, such as behavior, training, AALAS certification; OR equivalent training or experience in related fields, such as human medicine or invertebrate animal husbandry and care may substitute for animal-related work experience.).
KNOWLEDGE: Basic care of animals or equivalent knowledge, and ability to learn the basic care and husbandry SOPs in a centralized animal biomedical research program. Staff at each level may be asked to work at either facility.
ABILITIES & SKILLS: Ability to work a variable work schedule, including weekends, holidays, irregular days off, outside of normal operational hours, at various facilities operated by AVS. Ability to understand and follow detailed oral and written instructions, under varying degrees of supervision depending on level of work, with work reviewed by supervisor. Ability to give simple oral and written instructions. Basic writing skills to be able to complete simple forms pertaining to animal health, population census, and inventory data. Ability to apply basic math skills necessary to weigh animals, feed and handle supplies. Possess basic math skills as it applies to inventory control. Neatness and orderliness in performing duties, with good management in order to complete tasks in an efficient and timely manner. Capable of understanding and applying the principles taught in the applicable regulations and policies pertaining to the humane care and use of animals for research and training. Ability to do simple problem solving while on the job regarding skills that were previously trained. Ability to obtain AALAS certification in order to progress to higher levels. Post Offer/Employment Condition : Must be able to complete the UH Title IX training within 30 days from date of hire, and re-certify annually. Must be able to complete the Workplace Violence Prevention training within 30 days from date of hire, and re-certify annually. Upon request by AVS, must be able to obtain and maintain clearance by the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigations Security Risk Assessment as requested by the Director of AVS and maintain throughout duration of employment. Clearance, once obtained, is required every five (5) years. Must complete training provided by the Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO) for hazardous waste management and International Air Transport Associate (IATA) shipping requirements, biosafety training, and all other pertinent training related to the job within six (6) months from date of hire. Must complete the online Hazard Communication training immediately after hire or no later than employee's initial exposure to hazardous chemicals. Must be able to complete the UH Information Security Awareness Training (ISAT) within two (2) weeks from date of hire, and re-certify every twelve (12) months.
PHYSICAL/MEDICAL DEMANDS: Ability to manually lift up to fifty (50) pounds, unassisted. Ability to work with rabbits or rodents. Must not have obvious allergies to rabbits, rodents or other allergens found in the laboratory animal environment. Should symptoms of allergies to rabbits or rodents develop while on duty, AVS will make reasonable accommodations for employees at risk to be appropriately assigned to reduce their risk of allergic reactions to animals and provide appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to mitigate their risks, if operationally feasible. Post Offer/Employment Conditions : Must be able to complete a post-offer health history questionnaire and/or basic occupational exam including respirator medical clearance and respirator fit testing and provide proof of a tetanus immunization within six (6) months from date of hire. Subsequent periodic health history questionnaires and respirator medical clearances and fit testing may be required by the employer. All reasonable accommodations will be made based on fitness for duty. Medical exam costs will be paid for by the employer. May be required to work in the ABSL3 labs and/or ABSL2 biohazard labs, and submit to any requirements for working in containment. Must submit to all requirements as of the effective date of the current version of the AVS Occupational Health and Safety Program, which may include confidential disclosure of health information to a medical professional, a medical examination and follow-up examinations, immunizations, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), and health and safety education.
POLICY/REGULATORY REQUIREMENT: As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to all applicable RCUH policies, procedures, and trainings and, as applicable, subject to University of Hawai'i's and/or business entity's policies, procedures, and trainings. Violation of RCUH's, UH's, or business entity's policies and/or procedures or applicable State or Federal laws and/or regulations may lead to disciplinary action (including, but not limited to possible termination of employment, personal fines, civil and/or criminal penalties, etc.).


SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS:
Associate's Degree from an accredited community college, or college level coursework in the area of Animal Sciences or a related field. Progressive work experience in an animal clinic or equivalent animal experience. Ability to supervise students or non-technical employees. Some knowledge of constructing, maintaining, and repairing cages and equipment. Certification by AALAS or equivalent. Intermediate to advanced computer skills. Experience in operating heavy equipment such as autoclave, cage wash equipment, and alkaline hydrolysis unit.

INQUIRIES: Michael Wong View phone number on click.appcast.io (Oahu).

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Please go to You must submit the following documents online to be considered for the position: 1) Cover Letter, 2) Resume, 3) List of Professional References, 4) Copy of Degree(s)/Unofficial or Official Transcript(s)/Certificate(s). All online applications must be submitted/received by the closing date (11:59 P.M. Hawai'i Standard Time/RCUH receipt time) as stated on the job posting. If you do not have access to our system and the closing date is imminent, please send additional documents to View email address on click.appcast.io. If you have questions on the application process and/or need assistance, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io or View phone number on click.appcast.io. Please visit for more information on RCUH's Benefits for eligible employees.

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RCUH is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, marital status, reproductive health decision, citizenship, gender identity or expression, domestic or sexual violence victim status, military/veteran status, or other grounds protected under applicable federal and state laws, except as permitted by law.