Animal Caretaker

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Position Title:

Animal Caretaker## Job Group:

Merit## Required

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ability to read, write, and follow instructions.
• Possession of a valid state or commercial driver's license, as required.##

Preferred Qualifications:

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Job Description:

** Animal Caretaker I
** to help maintain the health and well-being of a variety of research animals. This role is essential to ensuring high-quality animal care and compliance with research standards.###
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* What You’ll Do:

*** Provide daily husbandry for animals, including cleaning enclosures, preparing feed, and monitoring health.
* Safely handle and transport animals ranging from rodents to large livestock.
* Assist with administering medications and collecting biological samples under veterinary supervision.
* Perform basic facility maintenance and operate vehicles and equipment for animal transport and care.
* Maintain accurate records using electronic systems and Microsoft Office tools.

You’ll work closely with
** veterinary staff, facility managers, and research investigators
** to support animal health and research needs.###
** Position Details:**
* ** Term:
** This is a Full time,
** 6-month term position
** with opportunity for renewal.
* *
* Work Schedule:

** Offering two options:
** Sunday–Thursday**, 6:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. or
** Tuesday–Saturday**, 6:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
* ** Final date to receive applications:
** We will accept applications until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, please apply by
** January 30th**.###
** Benefits at Iowa State University:
** As a merit employee, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including:
* ** Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance**
* ** Retirement Plans
** with employer contributions
* ** Paid Time Off** (vacation, sick leave, and holidays)
* ** Life and Disability Insurance**
* ** Employee Assistance Program**
* ** Professional Development Opportunities**
* ** Discounted access to campus amenities
** such as recreation facilities and cultural events###
** About Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR):
** LAR provides comprehensive animal care and veterinary services to support Iowa State University’s research community. Our team is committed to the highest standards of animal welfare and regulatory compliance, ensuring that research animals receive exceptional care in a safe and secure environment.
** Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities*
* • Feeds and waters animals including the mixing and preparing of feed for standard or special diets.
• Weighs animals, keeping records on weights of feed and animal in coordination with the feeding program.
• Grooms, handles, and restrains animals.
• Checks newly purchased animals for conformance to order specifications.
• Cleans and disinfects animal enclosures, isolation rooms, buildings, and equipment, adhering to established policies for maintaining pathogen free environments and containment of animals exposed to infectious diseases.
• Operates mechanical equipment, such as autoclaves, ventilated racks, and cage washers.
• Checks for and reports failures in heating and ventilation systems to supervisor.
• Observes animals for signs of phenotype, illness, injury, or stress.
• Reports observations to supervisor.
• Assists in routine veterinary treatments or restraint of animals for experimental purposes.
• Maintains and performs minor repairs to animal equipment, enclosures, and animal facility.
• Reports major building repairs or malfunctions to facility supervisor.
• Transports animals, equipment, and supplies using carts or motorized vehicles.
• In agricultural setting, may operate farm machinery such as tractors, manure loaders and spreaders, feed grinders, and related equipment as required.
• In animal facility, may use ventilated racks and biological safety cabinets for isolation and containment activities.
• Under direction of properly trained personnel, may euthanize animals in accordance to standard procedures.
• Under direction of principal investigator and with adequate training may be responsible for maintaining breeding colonies.
• Maintains the following records: feed, animal inventory numbers, veterinary treatment, animal health status observations, animal…