Job Description

GHRC Animal Technician

The Animal Technician, Containment Laboratory is a position at the Global Health Research Complex (GHRC), a biocontainment facility at Texas A&M University. This position is responsible for: performing all aspects of daily animal care and animal husbandry in ABSL-2 and BSL3-Ag environments; monitoring and recording environmental parameters and conditions; and performing other related duties.

Job Responsibilities:

Animal Care

• Performs daily animal care and husbandry duties for research animals in a bio-containment facility including feeding, watering, animal handling/transport, animal health checks, providing enrichment and environmental monitoring.
• Assures animals are appropriately maintained and cared for in accordance with standard operating procedures and supervisor's instructions.
• Observes all laboratory animals in assigned work areas and reports any conditions that might indicate illness, injury or distress in accordance with established protocols, procedures and guidelines concerning quality assurance and laboratory animal care and use. Records accurate daily observations of animals and environmental parameters.
• Decontaminates, cleans, and sanitizes animal rooms, ancillary areas, primary enclosures and equipment following established procedures and schedules.
• May occasionally perform technical services such as sample collection from animals, administering prophylactic treatments or injections.
• May occasionally assist with pre-surgical prep, induction, monitor animal vitals during an anesthetic procedure and recovery.

Facility Operations

• Monitors and records environmental parameters and conditions. Maintains animal room logs, animal health records, census sheets, and other essential records.
• Responsible for the preparation of animal holding rooms before the start of experiments, including assembling penning, and penning movement/storage.
• Maintains and stocks appropriate supplies such as animal feed and PPE for the animal rooms; assists with facility laundry as needed.
• Follows established protocols and procedures and ensures that care supports animal well-being and that facilities and practices are compliant with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines concerning quality assurance and laboratory animal care and use.
• Assists with the disinfection of necropsy spaces; assists with carcass disposal in the on-site tissue digester.
• Provides assistance and resources to facility users and departmental staff.

Training and Continued Education

• Participates in facility specific training. Attends meetings as needed to improve skills and knowledge or as required by management.
• Participates in training and continued education activities as provided by GHRC and required by federal guidelines and accreditation standards.
• Attends meetings as needed to improve skills and knowledge or as required by management.
• Assists with animal handling and restraint.

What You Need To Know

Salary: $19.29 hourly

Special Instructions: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended. You may upload these in the CV/Resume section.

Required Education and Experience:

• Associates degree in an agricultural or animal-related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three years' experience with large animal species such as cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and goats.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Bachelor of Science in an Agricultural or animal-related field.
• Prior experience in a biocontainment program (BSL-2, ABSL-2, BSL-3, ABSL-3, or BSL-3Ag). Prior experience working with wildlife species.

Required Licenses and Certifications:

• Must be able to successfully obtain Biological Select Agent and Toxin certification within 6 months of employment.

Preferred Licenses and Certifications:

• Certified Veterinary Assistant
• American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification.
• Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to handle, restrain, clinically observe and identify health concerns in a wide range of large animal species.
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to read, comprehend and communicate clearly and effectively verbally and in writing to ensure understanding.
• Ability to utilize computer systems for trainings, communication, and occasional recordkeeping.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Prior experience in a biocontainment program (BSL-2, ABSL-2, BSL-3, ABSL-3, or BSL-3Ag).
• Prior experience working with wildlife species.
• More than one-year full time experience in animal handling and care, preferably in TAMU System.
• Prior experience in an animal research facility.

Other Requirements and Factors: Requires mobility and agility to move quickly in a dangerous situation. Must be able to undergo and maintain a favorable background investigation and National Select Agent Registration security risk assessment. This job has a potential for safety hazard exposures and infectious disease exposures and requires the ability to work under challenging conditions (high humidity/temperature, unpleasant odors, animal excreta and noise). Medical evaluation is required at least annually, and full participation in a medical clearance program is required, which includes blood testing and possibly vaccinations. May be required to take several showers each day, is required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, and stand for prolonged periods of time. Must be able to work rotationally on weekends and holidays. Persons in this position are considered essential when the University declares an emergency, campus closure, class cancellations, etc., and are therefore required to report to work and remain on duty unless/until relieved by the direct supervisor.

Why Texas A&M University?

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service. We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration. Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you. Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time
• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more
• Employee Tuition Assistance and Educational Release time for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application. All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution's verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.

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