Job Description
Laboratory Animal Attendant
Job Family:  LR-Service/Maintenance/Labor
Job Code:  6062
Employee Class:  Teamsters Local 320

Qualifications
*This position is governed by the Minnesota Teamsters Public and Law Enforcement Union Employees Union Local 320.*

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

About the Job
This is a bargaining unit position responsible for the care of laboratory animals in accordance with applicable safety, sanitation and research requirements.
Ongoing tasks may include the following:
• Feed, care, and observe physical condition of mice, rats, and other lab animals for signs of disease or illness. Must follow strict protocols and instructions written or orally presented in English.
• Operate cage and bottle washers, autoclaves, and bedding dispensing/disposal equipment. Move/lift heavy equipment/animals.
• Maintain appropriate room, animal receipt and other records.
• Participate in and perform euthanasia of small animals.
• Order and store feed and supplies.
• Clean and sanitize equipment, rooms, and facilities.
• Any other duties as assigned by supervisor.

The normal work schedule for this position is weekdays, Monday through Friday, 6:00 am – 2:30 pm. Occasional weekend work and work on holidays will be required when scheduled, and is eligible for overtime and holiday pay.

Some work assignments will involve exposure to animal allergens, high levels of noise, and/or disinfectants and sanitizing agents. To protect employees, the University of Minnesota may ask that you wear personal protection equipment, some of which may require medical monitoring and fitness testing. All required protective equipment, testing and medical evaluations will be provided by the University.

All offers of employment for this position will be conditioned on the completion of a medical questionnaire, evidence of current tetanus immunization prior to start date, and/or a fitness for duty examination to ensure the applicant’s ability to work in an environment that may present occupational health and safety hazards associated with work.
 

RAR recognizes the importance of providing staff career advancement opportunities when they are available. Promotion is a formal process that takes into account an employee’s experience, attendance, passion to learn and grow, and their performance. An example of a promotional track within RAR includes the following advancement opportunities:

1. Laboratory Attendant (LA) - primarily focuses on cage washing and cage building

2. Laboratory Animal Attendance (LAA) - primarily focuses on cage changeouts and animal health checks

3. Laboratory Animal Care Technician (LACT) - primarily focuses on animal welfare duties and requests

*If an applicant does not meet the minimum qualifications of the position for which they've applied, the hiring committee may recommend them for a position that better aligns with their experience.

*Advancement opportunities may vary based on business need and candidate performance.

Required Qualifications:
• Must be able to lift/push 50 pounds.
• Must be able to understand and follow written and oral instruction in English.
• Must be able to work an early schedule, Monday through Friday 6:00 am – 2:30 pm. Must have availability to work occasional weekends and holidays.

Preferred Qualifications:
• High school graduate or GED.
• Three (3) months of education related to laboratory animals, or three (3) months experience with laboratory animals, or three (3) months experience caring for, cleaning, feeding, monitoring, and medicating animals.
• Experience with rodents.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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