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Position Summary

The Animal Resources Facility department is the backbone support for the groundwork in research developments and innovations by providing basic care for the animals involved in research and teaching at Rice University. Under the direction of the animal research facility manager, the animal care technician II is responsible for delivering exceptional animal care to the research animals at Rice University. The animal care technician II performs basic and advanced animal care and husbandry of laboratory animals in a research environment, performs daily health and welfare assessments. S/he performs animal technical procedures and provides veterinary care as directed by the attending veterinarian or designee. S/he assists attending veterinarian in treatment of sick and injured animals, including medication dosing and is responsible for the transportation of animals between buildings and institutions within the Texas Medical Center using an environmentally controlled conveyance. The animal care technician II supports operations in the facility and all species in accordance with standard operating procedures and training to ensure compliance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the Animal Welfare Act and Regulations as well as all applicable federal, state, local and institutional laws, regulations, policies. The ideal candidate has experience working at Rice in a similar role.

Requirements

• HS Diploma or equivalent
• 5 years of related experience handling multiple animal species
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted
• Proficiency in word processing and spreadsheet software, Microsoft Office Suite
• Proficiency in relevant math and research skills
• Good organization skills and strong attention to detail
• Ability to listen and communicate (verbal, written)
• Ability to work independently and in team environments
• Ability to conduct evaluate and analyze data
• Ability to maintain quality, safety and/or infection control standards
• Must possess (or have the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire) and maintain a valid Texas driver's license with no more than three moving violations and/or at fault accidents within the past 36 months, and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past five years
• American Association for Laboratory Animal Science Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) certification or ability to acquire within six months of hire

Essential Functions

• Assists in conducting research and experiments (e.g., performs technical procedures with supervision, health monitoring, weaning, animal handling, and sexing of laboratory animals)
• Collects and tracks basic data using spreadsheets and database
• Assists in the laboratory setup and daily care for various species of animals (e.g., daily observation, feeding and watering, sanitizing and/or sterilizing animal cages and equipment, exercising and providing environmental enrichment)
• Prepares procurement requests and orders materials and supplies, manages sample and stock database, sets up and manages experiments, and maintains research results for publications
• Assists attending veterinarian in treatment of sick and injured animals, including medication dosing
• Transports animals between buildings and institutions within the Texas Medical Center using an environmentally controlled conveyance
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Establishes working relationships and communicates effectively with Rice University research staff, animal research facility manager, and attending veterinarian
• Reviews, comprehends, and complies with all Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) and quality assurance standards pertaining to specific area
• Monitors daily animal health/welfare while performing daily animal health observations
• Performs animal husbandry duties to maintain quality/health of research animals includes daily bottle/cage checks; provide appropriate food/water; cage changing/cleaning
• Assists with restraint, handling and manipulation of various animal species as assigned, including USDA covered species
• Disposes of animal carcasses following established procedures
• Observes and reports problems involving animal care equipment and environmental support systems
• Maintains accurate departmental animal housing/support area record keeping
• Records animal health concerns per SOP and/or specified protocols
• Receives, inspects and puts away received incoming animals
• Operates equipment and uses supplies according to safety guidelines
• Sanitizes facilities, animal housing units, and ancillary animal care equipment
• Performs general housekeeping and adhere to safety procedures

Preferences

• Bachelor of science degree in animal science or a biological science - Associate's degree of applied science in veterinary technology
• Experience working at Rice University in a similar role
• Experience with technical manipulations (basic injections)
• Ability to conduct introductory training/orientation to research staff
• Ability to perform advanced monitoring and handling of USDA covered species, including but not limited to restraint, medication dosing, and monitoring anesthesia
• Ability to learn office SOPs (e.g., animal ordering desk)
• Ability to learn higher-level technical skills (i.p. and tail vein injections)
• Basic knowledge of rodent surveillance procedures for laboratory submission
• Demonstrated ability to communicate animal health information to appropriate personnel, maintain legible records for permanent status
• Advanced knowledge of feeding, caging, and space requirements for multiple species of laboratory animals used in research
• Demonstrated ability to identify animal health concerns and regulatory compliance for their assigned areas and to report conditions to veterinary staff, researchers, and compliance staff
• Advanced skill and knowledge of disinfection, sanitation, and cleaning agents; knowledge and ability to use cage washers for cleaning and autoclaves for sterilization of cages
• Basic knowledge of environmental monitoring procedures to assess sanitation
• Advanced knowledge of federal and other licensing agencies' regulations

Workplace Requirements

Rice University HR | Benefits

https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values

Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

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