POSITION DESCRIPTION

This position is responsible for the basic daily husbandry operations in all facilities and with all species in accordance with standard operating procedures and training to ensure compliance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the Animal Welfare Act and Regulations as well as all applicable federal, state, local and institutional laws, regulations, policies 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Husbandry (75%)

AHT II, LEVEL A: PROVIDES ADVANCED CARE AND HUSBANDRY FOR ALL RODENT SPECIES

• Performs daily health and husbandry observations, change cages, flood and rack line checks.
• Provides feed and water for assigned populations.
• Prepares, provides and maintains all devices for environmental enrichment.
• Receives incoming animals, houses and identifies appropriately.
• Performs basic examination on incoming animals to determine health status and whether they meet purchase request.
• Performs census.
• Provides special study support and basic colony management. 
• Administers treatment according to prescribed instructions.
• Communicates and notifies lab personnel by emails.
• Collects cages targeted for euthanasia.
• Performs animal euthanasia following the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) guidelines.
• Supports Sentinel health monitoring program with acquisition of bedding samples from animals as assigned
  using approved sampling techniques.

AHT II, LEVEL B: IN ADDITION TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEVEL A, PROVIDES BASIC CARE AND HUSBANDRY FOR ALL USDA covered SPECIES (including NHP)

- See above.
- Performs standard QA and water quality testing for all amphibians and aquatic species.
- Records diligently all activities in logs and related files.

Maintenance (10%)

• Performs equipment maintenance in animal holding rooms (eg.: ATS, Ventilated racks).
• Performs general facility and room maintenance as directed.
• Sanitizes and decontaminates floor, walls and ceiling based on a standardized schedule.
• Maintains adequate levels of materials and supplies in all critical areas.

AHT II, LEVEL B: IN ADDITION TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEVEL A
- Performs basic NHP and other USDA covered species room maintenance .

Compliance (10%)

PERFORMS THESE FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES BASED ON SOP AND TRAINING:

• Ensure compliance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the Animal Welfare Act and Regulations as well as all applicable federal, state, local and institutional laws, regulations, policies.
• Maintains records in accordance with animal care facility industry standards and all applicable laws, regulations and institutional/departmental policies and guidelines.
• Monitors and records environmental parameters.

Other Duties (5%)

• Assists in the development of Standard Operating Procedures with Supervisors.
• Assists in the training of AHT I/ IIA (IIB).
• Performs additional projects as required or assigned.
• Communicates effectively with peers to complete job tasks.
• Performs job duties safely and promotes safety in the animal care facility.
• Communicates and provides feedback for on-the-floor activity.
• Troubleshoots Husbandry issues as needed.

EDUCATION

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• ALAT Certification by AALAS or RVT Registration, LVT License, CVT Certification or equivalent

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience with ALAT certification, or 1 year of relevant work experience with RVT, LVT, or CVT

SPECIAL CONDIDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must be able to work a flexible schedule that may include weekends and holidays.
• Must be able to work overtime based on workload and deadlines.
• Must be able to work assigned standard schedule: Monday – Friday, Sunday - Thursday or Tuesday - Saturday, 6:00 a.m.- 2:30 p.m./6:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m./7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m./ 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Management reserves the right to change or modify assigned schedules based on operational needs.
• Post offer physical required which may include respirator fit test.
• Possible rotating schedule.
• Must be willing to sign a confidentiality agreement. 

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

As a safeguard for employees and animals, all ARD employees may be subject to vaccines/tests/physical exams prior to working with specific animals or animal populations as required by research needs including but not limited to:

• TB Testing/Clearance (once a year)
• Tetanus/ Diphtheria (vaccination < 10 years proof of immunization and/or vaccination)
• Measles (proof of immunization and/or vaccination)
• Periodic physical exams (may include respirator fit test)
• Other vaccines/tests as required by Occupational Health & Safety standards

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position requires constant standing, seeing, hearing, exposure to fumes/odors/mists/dusts, exposure to animals, exposure to potential allergens, and working inside.