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The University of Southern California, Department of Animal Resources is seeking a very reliable, dependable, self-motivated and responsible individual for a position as Animal Laboratory Technician II. The Department of Animal Resources takes pride in providing optimal animal care for all animals housed at the university for the purposes of biomedical research and teaching. The Animal Laboratory Technicians provide daily animal care (cleaning, feeding, and watering of animals), animal facility cleaning and sanitation, documentation of appropriate environmental conditions, and daily animal health and welfare observations to ensure that all of the animals within the department of Animal Resources care procedures are performed according to regulations and guidelines. Must have basic computer skills and be able to lift 50 pounds, work on your feet majority of the day. Technician will be required to work on a schedule and to be on time. The Department of Animal Resources provides animal care on both the Health Sciences Campus and University Park Campus and care is provided every day, including weekends and holidays. For this reason, your position may involve scheduled rotations to work on both USC campuses and to work on weekends and holidays as assigned by your supervisor, abiding by departmental standard operating procedures.
Job Summary:
Under direct and indirect supervision, provides routine and technical care to animals for experimental use. Cleans and maintains cages and equipment. Documents activities as required by regulations. Performs increasing complex duties involving the responsibility of husbandry of animals for experimental use and the maintenance of the associated animal housing facilities. Assists Supervisors in ordering materials and supplies. Acts as a lead technician for animal species or colonies requiring specialized care procedures. Acts as a reliable team member and group leader for an animal facility or number of facilities. Provides training and guidance to other staff members.
Responsibilities and Duties:
Ensures that animals are provided care in accordance with state and federal regulations to promote physical and psychological well-being and minimize discomfort
Manages a complete vivarium area as assigned. Provides leadership, guidance and training to other employees performing similar work within unit, as assigned. Assists Supervisors to schedules, assign and prioritize workloads, and to set appropriate deadlines. Assists Supervisors to monitor employee performance on day-to-day basis
Assists with the overall quality assurance program for animal care and facilities management
Distributes food and water to animals and ensures that food and water are free from contamination. Assists Supervisors in developing monitoring plans for food and water
Provides environmental enrichment to animals, including exercise of larger animals as needed. Assists Supervisors and Veterinarians in developing, evaluating, and implementing enrichment plans for each species
Evaluates animals for health and welfare on a daily basis. Communicates animal health or welfare problems to veterinary staff and the Principal Investigator. May assist Supervisors and veterinary staff members in developing quarantine or treatment plans in cases of a disease outbreak
Provides humane euthanasia to animals as needed to minimize pain and distress and for colony maintenance, according to established protocols
Performs routine cleaning of animal cages and associated animal care equipment. Maintains and cleans animal housing facilities
Maintains cleanliness and organization of cages, equipment, and facilities. Maintains inventory of storeroom supplies. Assists Supervisors into maintaining an appropriate inventory for each facility
Maintains paper and computerized animal records, records of facility cleaning and sanitation procedures, facility environmental conditions, and use and maintenance of equipment. Acts as a lead person to ensure that all records are maintained and available to be examined by regulatory authorities
Assists veterinarians and Principal Investigators with handling animals during procedures
Minimum Field of Expertise:
Minimum Education: High school or equivalent, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience: 2 years, Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience
Minimum Field of Expertise: Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician certification by the American Association of Laboratory Science
Preferred Qualifications:
Preferred Education: Associate degree
Preferred Experience: 3 years
Preferred Field of Expertise: Laboratory Animal Technician or Laboratory Animal Technologist certification by the American Association of Laboratory Science
USC is an equal-opportunity educator and employer, proudly pluralistic and firmly committed to providing equal opportunity for outstanding persons of every race, gender, creed and background. The university particularly encourages members of underrepresented groups, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply. USC will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. Further information is available by contacting uschr@usc.edu.
