"Animal Technician"

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation's top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.

To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.

University Laboratory Animal Resources (ULAR) provides animal husbandry service and veterinary care to laboratory animals housed on campus for research, training or teaching. This includes meeting environmental and nutritional needs of a variety of animal species in accordance with established industry standards, state and federal rules and regulations, and ULAR's own standard operating procedures.

This position provides animal husbandry services to research animals housed in ULAR animal facilities for research, training or teaching. Animal husbandry services include meeting environmental and nutritional needs of a variety of animal species, in accordance with established industry standards, ULAR's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and/or directed by facilities manager/supervisor. Health maintenance responsibilities are at the direction of the supervisor and veterinary staff. Other duties may be assigned. The percentage of time at each of these duties may fluctuate according to the respective demands of each area.

Required:

• Working knowledge of established animal husbandry practices to include but not limited to: environmental and nutritional needs of each species housed in the assigned facility, routine housekeeping criteria and the supplies and equipment necessary, various methods of animal restraint and ability to handle the various species housed in these facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to handle and move the variety of metal racks with or without caging and other facility equipment. Proven ability up to lift, push, pull and move up to 50 pounds. May be required to lift, push, pull and move up to 75 pounds with or without assistance.
• Demonstrated ability to read, write and verbalize in English sufficiently well in order to read cage cards, maintain legible records, understand Standard Operating Procedures, and communicate animal health information to appropriate personnel.
• Demonstrated skill to communicate information clearly and tactfully in English to a broad variety of people in person and by phone.
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and redirect emphasis when requested or required by special circumstances or additional assignment.
• Proven ability to function effectively as a team member, follow directions, work independently, or in shared assignment with others.
• Proven ability to adhere to departmental attendance policies and standards.
• Basic computer skills, sufficient to enter data into computer databases and to send and receive emails.
• Minimum of 1 year experience working with animals in a laboratory or academic setting, or hold an associate or bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, animal science or other related fields.
• A minimum of 1 year of experience working with animals in a laboratory or academic setting, or hold an associate or bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, animal science or other related fields.

Preferred: Certified by AALAS at the Assistant Animal Technician level.

Special Conditions: Required to work weekends and holidays on rotation. May be required to work overtime as needed. Must wear protective clothing provided by ULAR. Constant exposure to possible allergens in the cage wash area, including (but not limited to) animal waste from dirty cages, dirty bedding, animal hair and dander, dust and steam. The work area is enclosed with no direct access to open air. Must attend technician training courses/meetings per ULAR's discretion. Must participate in medical monitoring programs as prescribed by the Occupational Health and Safety Program. This may include preventive medical programs such as TB screening, tetanus booster, blood testing, immunizations, medical surveillance and others to meet the state, federal and UC requirements.