Animal Technician

Overview

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.

In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.

• 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.
• 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.

• Certified by AALAS at the Assistant Animal Technician level.

• 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.

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the…