OVERVIEW:   Responsibilities of this position are that of a Cage Wash II for the WRAIR/NMRC, Animal Care Project.  These responsibilities include all activities required for the proper care and maintenance of on-site animals.

Overview:  Responsible for all activities required for the proper care and maintenance of research animals maintained in the WRAIR facilities.  All employees are expected to perform their duties as assigned, arrive to work at 7 am and depart at 3:30 pm (M-F).  You may be required to work on the weekends as scheduled.  This position is designated as essential.  The weekend hours are from 7 am to 12 pm. This position is designated as essential.  In addition, you will be expected to work extra hours during emergency situations or if any unexpected situation arise until work is completed. 

Description of Duties:               

• Understand and follow appropriate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), sanitation requirements, safety procedures, and quality assurance standards for cage sanitation
• Proper personnel protective equipment must be worn as required per SOPs
• Use of detergent-disinfectants, operation of autoclaves, rack washers, tunnel washers, bottle fillers, automatic water line sanitizer and liquid proportioners
• Clean and sanitize animal caging and accessory equipment
• Dispose of waste from the facility following appropriate SOPs
• Maintain and perform routine repairs on caging and racks
• Perform routine cleaning and preventative maintenance on the cage and rack washers and autoclaves, including checking and cleaning filters and spray manifolds
• Process clean caging and accessory equipment appropriately, including putting bedding into cages and autoclaving caging and supplies
• Assist in sanitation and decontamination in all areas of the facility
• Prepare and submit required cage wash records, charts, logs, and inventories as requested
• Maintain clean and organized work and personal areas
• Report any abnormal conditions of the animal facility or immediate vicinity to supervisory staff
• Assist with receiving feed, bedding and supplies orders and proper storage
• Train and supervise cage wash personnel according to SOP’s
• Ensure that all cage wash SOPs are adhered to by the cage wash staff
• Anticipate caging and chemical needs for the cage wash area and report those needs to the Facility Manager or Project Management in a timely manner
• Oversee all cage wash monitoring and accompanying documentation.
• Report all equipment malfunctions, failures, and repair needs to the Facility Manager or Project Management as soon as possible.
• Assist in the development and revision of cage wash SOPs.
• Perform routine cleaning changing pre-filters and cleaning outside of Bio-bubbles
• Process clean caging and accessory equipment appropriately, to fill caging requests, which requires putting bedding into cages and autoclaving cage setups and supplies
• Prepare investigator caging requests and deliver in a timely manner
• Assist with receiving feed, bedding and supplies orders and proper storage
• Perform other duties under supervision, as assigned.

Requirements:  Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. The American Associa­tion for Laboratory Animal Science certification as an Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician desired.   Must complete the required training and receive clearance on the duties of Cage Wash II. Must have the ability to work in and around water and be able to lift at least 50 lbs.  Have sufficient knowledge of different animal species and husbandry requirements to perform all required duties. Must possess the physical strength, dexterity and endurance to lift, pull, push and handle cages, racks, large pieces of miscellaneous equipment, feed and bedding bags and other materials and equipment normally found in a research facility. Proper personnel protective equipment must be worn as required per SOPs. Some knowledge of disinfectant use and operating knowledge of autoclaves, cage washers, conveyer belts, bedding dispensers, bottle fillers and high pressure & steam cleaning devises.  Ability and stamina to work all day standing to perform duties in an area that is noisy and can have relatively high ambient temperature and humidity. Must attain and maintain access to work place as set forth by WRAIR personnel, access and security requirements. Maintain all contract requirements to include quality of work, occupational health (e.g., vaccinations) and training.  

SoBran, Inc. is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.