Animal Facility Specialist

Animal Facility Specialist

Research Animal Resources is seeking a Large Animal Facility Specialist as an important member of the research team in providing the highest standards of animal care, welfare and technical assistance in support of research initiatives. Work independently in tasks that are routine yet complex. Conduct work in accordance with several policies including the USDA Animal Welfare Act, the ILAR Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the Johns Hopkins University and the Animal Care and Use Committee policies, and the standard operating procedures for the animal facility.

Performs sanitation, husbandry and all support functions required for the humane care of a wide variety of laboratory animal species including rodents, rabbits, birds, frogs, dogs, cats, and non-human primates. Primary role will be providing care for large animal species categorized as birds of prey and mammals, not including rodents and rabbits. Such species include, but are not limited to, pigs, sheep, dogs, cats, and non-human primates. The individual must dedicate at least 70% of their effort to supporting these species.

This is a Bargaining Unit position. All newly hired employees in Bargaining Unit positions shall be considered "probationary" employees until completion of 90 calendar days of employment. These employees shall become members of the Bargaining Unit if this employment continues beyond four months. The university will notify the employees' union. Bargaining Unit employees shall become eligible for benefits upon completion of their probationary period.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform all the tasks of the Animal Cage Washer as needed.
• Clean, sanitize and sterilize animal cages, feeders, water bottles, animal rooms, support space and related equipment.
• Fill animal feeders, bowls and water bottles or other containers with the appropriate types and amounts of food and drinking water in accordance with schedules and detailed instructions.
• Use aseptic technique and disease prevention principles in a Class I or Class II biological safety cabinet. Remove animals from soiled cages and transfers them to clean, sterilized cages in accordance with schedules and detailed instructions. This includes the transfer of non-human primates and other large animals using specific equipment (tunnels, jump boxes, leather gloves, red boards) or by hand.
• Work under isolation conditions using specialized caging units such as micro-isolation cages and individually ventilated cage systems while adhering to aseptic techniques and disease prevention principles.
• Place bedding, feed, water bottles, etc. into assembled, sanitized cages.
• Observe and report to supervisor signs of animal injuries, illness or irregularities in appearance, health and environment such as abnormal food consumption, death, abnormal stool or unusual behavior.
• Provides routine treatments as instructed including procedures such as ear mite medication, clipping overgrown teeth, etc.
• Provide enrichment to large animals according to instructions and document appropriately.
• Perform social introductions of certain large animals (e.g. dogs, cats, swine, sheep, etc.) for pair or group housing and monitor daily for continued compatibility.
• Perform euthanasia following detailed training and instructions.
• Receive and process incoming animals and materials. Examines incoming animals for compliance with specifications, rejecting unsuitable animals and referring questionable cases to the supervisor.
• Maintains colonies of genetically altered rodents and may be required to perform data collection.
• Maintain accurate records of the numbers and types of animals cared for and the animal's food and water consumption.
• Calculate the animal census.
• Maintain detailed records of animal room environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, lighting and other environmental controls and report deviations to the supervisor. Note this information on the room environment log sheet.
• Maintain adequate stock of feed, bedding and other supplies.
• Make repairs on caging and equipment, when necessary, such as broken water lines.
• Lubricate equipment, make minor adjustments and repair to cages and other equipment and change air filters related to laboratory animal equipment and facilities as needed, using hand tools if required.
• Report to supervisor the need for repairs to cages and support equipment when needed.
• Perform preventive maintenance and minor repairs on automated watering systems, individually ventilated cage systems and other support equipment. Adjust and repair automatic drinking devices.
• Lubricate equipment, make minor adjustments and repairs to cages and other equipment and change air filters related to laboratory animal equipment and facilities as needed, using hand tools if required.
• Collect, process and remove waste material. Know and follow appropriate procedure for disposal of animal carcasses, bio-hazardous wastes, etc.
• Observe all safety policies and procedures and use equipment and chemical treatments properly to avoid harming animals, self, others and damaging property.
• Perform tasks that require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, safety shoes, protective clothing and gloves, fume hoods, biological safety cabinets, etc.
• Follow good laboratory practice and good housekeeping procedures in accordance with standard operating procedures, health, safety and environmental policies.
• Maintain equipment and work area in clean and orderly condition. To sanitize their area, reach upper cages or to clean animal racks or shelves.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school Degree or equivalent.
• Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification from the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) required.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of basic animal husbandry and research techniques.
• Knowledge of basic scientific terminology, basic conversion calculations and basic measuring devices.
• Knowledge of principles of asepsis, disease control and prevention, barrier and isolation animal housing.
• Knowledge of general breeding and mating systems.
• Knowledge of current regulations, policies and principles for the care and use of laboratory animals.
• Ability to handle, restrain and determine the sex of laboratory animals without causing injury or harm to animal, self, and others.
• Ability to understand and follow detailed oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read and write in order to maintain records, read instructions, labels, etc.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends and holidays.
• Ability to interact and work with faculty, students, staff, and visitors in a knowledgeable, respectful and courteous manner.
• Ability to discuss animal related projects with investigators and report these discussions to the supervisor.
• Ability to work under environmental conditions that require the use of safety equipment.
• Ability to lift, carry or otherwise move and position objects and materials weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to stand, walk or otherwise move about campus on a continuous basis.
• Ability to ascend/descend stairs on a regular basis.
• Specialty Occupational Health Requirements up to date and complete.

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) year of laboratory animal care or related experience.

Classified Title: BU Large Animal Facility Specialist-SSR Job Posting Title (Working Title): Animal Facility Specialist Role/Level/Range: SKILL8/01/BU Starting Salary Range: $21.25 per hour, increases to $25.20 after 12 months Employee group: Casual / On Call Schedule: 40 hours, M-F FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Location: School of Medicine Campus Department name: Research Animal Resources Personnel area: University Administration