"Animal Resources Enrichment Specialist"

Animal Resources Enrichment Specialist

Company: North Carolina State University

Job Location: Raleigh, NC

Category: Laboratory and Research

Type: Full-Time

Join the Pack! A community with nearly 8,000 faculty and staff, and 30,000 students. NC State is one of the largest employers in North Carolina, offering a large range of career opportunities. Visit us at https://jobs.hr.ncsu.edu/.

Department: 193001 - Animal Resources

Location: Raleigh, NC

Essential Job Duties:
Primary Duties of the Enrichment Specialist include, but are not limited to the following:

• Delivering DVM/IACUC/PI approved enrichment programs to research/teaching animals housed at the CVM.
• Providing enrichment resources for technician, researcher, and student training.
• Maintenance of consumables and manipulanda for all animals.
• Working with the animal care staff to set up animal housing to meet the social and environmental needs of the study animals.
• Completes veterinarian-prescribed positive reinforcement training (PRT), enrichment, and behavioral intervention management.
• Performs routine behavior assessments on animals.
• Assisting with paperwork and documentation as required to complete job duties.
• Working with the animal care and veterinary teams to develop individual enrichment recommendations to meet the social and environmental needs of animals based on behavioral assessments performed.
• Organizes Enrichment Committee Meetings and includes input from stakeholders in enrichment plan development. Prioritizes approaches to achieve best practices for animal well-being.

In addition, the Enrichment Specialist maintains a clean working environment to ensure Infectious Disease standards are followed and infection is not spread. The technician handles all medical/biological and infectious waste appropriately. Follows all radiation safety, OSHA, IACUC, USDA, AAALAC, and Environmental Health and Safety standards. Keeps all necessary equipment in clean and working order and has all necessary and appropriate stocked supplies available for procedures and daily patient husbandry.

You have the ability to deliver high-quality customer service and patient care both independently and in collaboration with others, effectively using technology, maintaining the flexibility to work overtime, lifting up to 50 pounds as required, and possessing a desire to teach 4th year veterinary medicine students and undergrad interns.

Other Work/Responsibilities:

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Experience/Education:

Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience working with companion and agricultural animals.
• Ability to work with or around sick animals, potentially hazardous materials, cleaning chemicals, gas anesthetics, zoonotic diseases, and unpleasant odors.
• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively at all times and maintain professionalism in emotionally charged / challenging situations.
• Ability to provide high quality customer service.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Ability to work beyond scheduled work hours when needed.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team and be an active participant in problem solving and team advancement.
• Ability to work effectively with computers and electronics.
• Ability to work independently and practice good judgment to ensure high quality care for all patients and request assistance when needed.
• Desire to teach 4th year veterinary students and undergrad interns

Preferred Qualifications:

• Animal Care Expertise and Certification: Demonstrated experience with laboratory animals, animal behavior, and/or positive reinforcement training techniques, paired with relevant professional credentials such as AALAS Certification, Registered RVT, or LATg.
• Animal Handling Experience: Practical experience working with a variety of species, including both companion and agricultural animals.
• Safety and Regulatory Compliance: Knowledge and ability to work safely with or around potential hazards, including sick animals, hazardous materials, cleaning chemicals, gas anesthetics, zoonotic diseases, and unpleasant odors.
• Professional Communication and Teamwork: Proven ability to communicate professionally and effectively at all times, maintain composure in challenging situations, provide high-quality customer service, and work effectively as a member of a team.
• Physical and Operational Competence: Ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, work extended hours when necessary, utilize computers and electronics effectively, and work independently with good judgment.

Required license or certification:

• A valid North Carolina Drivers license or the ability to obtain one within 60 days of hire.

Position Number: 00110314

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