The Colony Management Technician II provides skilled rodent care to the colony management area of the Animal Resources Department in support of research activities. The incumbent is expected to assist researchers with rodent breeding, plug checking, pregnancy checking, separating mice, culling colony animals, weaning, collecting biological samples for genotyping, performing animal identification, and meticulous record keeping. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists researchers in the areas of colony management including setting up breeding pairs, plug checking, separating mice, consolidating, and culling colony animals, and performing weaning.
• Performs proper animal identification and collects biological specimens for genotyping.
• Monitors and maintains rodent colonies and participates in troubleshooting and clinical management of colony performance and reproductive challenges.
• Performs standard techniques in reproductive management, which may include timed mating, fostering, C-section, and others.
• Maintains proper breeding and colony documentation.
• Performs administrative duties which may include ordering and receiving supplies, SOP preparation, and documenting rechargeable services.
• Manages each individual laboratory’s colony management database.
• Assists in training and guidance for investigators in the areas of colony management, animal identification and tissue collection for genotyping.
• Observes animal health, performs regular animal checks, and administers medications as needed.
• Maintains cross-training in husbandry activities with rodents.
• Responsible for maintaining supplies, veterinary equipment, and organization/cleanliness of animal procedure rooms.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Required: Minimum 2 years’ experience in a laboratory animal facility or research facility working with rodents.
• Required: High school diploma or general education degree (GED), or one to three months related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Preferred: Prior colony management and/or tissue sampling experience.
• Preferred: Associates or bachelor’s degree in related field.
• Certificates, licenses, and registrations required: AALAS Lab Animal Technician (LAT) Certification or ability to acquire within a year of employment.
• Computer skills required: Microsoft Office; Google Suite
• Other skills required:
  • Hands on experience with rodent husbandry, breeding, handling and restraint, blood/tissue sampling, injections, administering medications, anesthesia, surgical monitoring, and euthanasia.
  • Knowledge of aseptic surgical technique, sterilization, disinfection and sanitization principles and applications.

SALK VALUES:

• Integrity - Guides our moral compass and underpins our every action. We do what is right in all situations for no other reason than because it is right. We uphold honesty and ethical behavior and make good on our commitments. We understand that words and deeds matter and that integrity leads to trust.
• Community - Enables us to harness the power of our collective talents. We work together towards common goals. We recognize the importance of diversity where everyone’s ideas, identities, backgrounds, and perspectives are valued and pave the paths that propel us forward. We understand our pioneering role in the broader scientific community and take pride in our efforts to have a positive impact on the world.
• Accountability - Keeps us focused, and keeps us honest. We are responsible not only for our own success, but the success of our teams and the entire Institute. We consider how the actions we take and the decisions we make in our own work may impact others.
• Respect - Creates the foundation of trust and brings out the best in us all. We value the experiences, identities, and feelings of those we work with, regardless of their position or their relationship to us. We provide feedback in a constructive manner, use appropriate language, and allow others to share their thoughts and ideas without fear of ridicule.
• Empowerment - Amplifies all voices and inspires the pursuit of greatness. We lift each other up, enabling us to grow continuously and live to our fullest potential. We support the expression of ideas, encourage self-advocacy, inspire confidence and recognize that an environment of mutual respect is critical to our collective success.

COMPETENCIES:

• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Project Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.

The expected pay range for this position is $21.15 - $26.70 per hour. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Frequently required to stand
• Frequently required to walk
• Frequently required to sit
• Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Frequently required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
• Continually required to talk or hear
• Occasionally required to taste or smell
• Occasional exposure to wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather)
• Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts
• Frequently work around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals
• Occasional exposure to outside weather conditions
• Occasional exposure to extreme heat or cold (non-weather)
• Occasional exposure to bloodborne and airborne pathogens or infectious materials
• While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds, continually lift and/or move up to 5 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include: Close vision; Distance vision; Color vision; Peripheral vision; Depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces diverse perspectives and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements.  Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. All individuals who accept a position with the Salk Institute must be willing to work in an animal-related research environment, must successfully complete the Institute’s background investigation and must be willing to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)