Work in Washington Veterans Jobs

Req #: 230822

Department: WASHINGTON NATIONAL PRIMATE CENTER (WaNPRC)

Posting Date: 02/09/2024

Closing Info: Open Continuous

Salary: $3,468 - $3,808 per month

Shift: First Shift

Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-summary-classified-staff-greater-than-half-time-20220908_a11y.pdf)

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The values of diversity, equity and inclusion are integral to the success of our research enterprise and are embedded in the culture of who we are as an institution and employer. We create progressive change honoring the unique and diverse perspectives in the Office of Research and the UW research community. We strengthen our commitment to the core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion by fostering an environment of authenticity in support of our mission to provide an equitable and accessible community to all. Read more here: https://www.washington.edu/research/or/office-of-research-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/

Washington NATIONAL PRIMATE Research Center (WaNPRC) has an outstanding opportunity for multiple openings as full-time Animal Technician 3. Position Purpose The primary purpose of this position is to provide the appropriate environment to support outstanding biomedical research directed towards significant human health issues and nonhuman primate health and biology. In conjunction with our Mission Statement, these values link this position to our purpose as a Center:

• Commitment to Research
• Teamwork
• Accountability – Productivity
• Communication

Under the general supervision of the Animal Technician Supervisor, the Animal Technician III provides leadership for assigned personnel in performing routine animal husbandry, facility sanitation, maintenance of tools, machinery and equipment and custodial duties. This position has significant responsibility in ensuring husbandry standard operating procedures are consistently and thoroughly followed, inspect areas and report conditions. Review daily work schedules with Animal Technicians I and II. This position assists the supervisor with husbandry requirements for animal health, psychological well-being of non-human primates; maintenance of hazardous containment and safety programs; and research protocols, consistent with existing federal, state, local and university regulations.

Position Duties and Responsibilities Animal Husbandry 40% Duties include but are not limited to: Feed and water animals in accordance with prescribed diets and instructions. Ensure adequate food and water is available at any given time. Empty bedding pans and cages/enclosures of bedding and feces utilizing scrapers, brushes, water hoses, dust pans, brooms, and other cleaning tools and equipment. Clean (remove organic material) and sanitize cages/enclosures and runs, bedding pans, tools, and equipment and surrounding premises including walls, floors and windows utilizing soaps, detergents, disinfectants and other cleaning chemicals, cage washers, autoclaves, power sprayers, hoses and other cleaning equipment. Weigh and transfer animals from soiled to clean enclosures or caging making sure to maintain individual animal identity; prepare animal quarters in accordance with specified procedures. Observe animals and recognize and report early manifestations of disease. Provide environmental enrichment (EE) and set up animal social groups in cages and compound settings for breeding and socialization making sure of adherence to the Center’s nonhuman primate psychological well-being program and as directed by the veterinary staff. Perform all husbandry duties with minimal animals escaping from cages and limited impact to staff conducting research. Serve as member of the animal capture team.

Maintenance and Sanitation of Animal Facility, Cages, Tools, and Equipment – 30% Maintain buildings, vehicles, animal facilities, housing rooms, caging, compounds and enclosures in accordance with departmental policy and procedure. Perform cleaning and sanitation of the animal facilities and equipment such as cage washing areas, hallways and procedure rooms, kitchen including utensils and storage areas. Ensure that the food given to the animals is within appropriate shelf life and is not contaminated or compromised.

Animal Monitoring and Record Keeping – 15% Collect data, record and document observations and submit reports regularly. Maintain records related to weights, feeding, care and animal identification. Recognize and report common signs of clinical illness, variations in eating habits, abnormal stool and urine deposits, unusual behavior, other changes and abnormalities and death to veterinary staff and/or area supervisor daily, immediately to veterinary staff if the animal is in distress. Ensure that temperature, water pressure, humidity and lighting remain within acceptable ranges, report deviations and abnormalities to area Supervisor or to Facilities personnel if the condition is urgent.

Administrative Support – 10% Assist supervisor in making daily schedule of activities for Animal Technicians. Provide accurate and legible records of each technician’s areas of responsibilities. Consult regularly with supervisor on staff vacations and days-off to insure that animals receive essential care and that current research is not interrupted. Ensure that daily research procedure requests are being followed as required by researchers. Assist in inventory, evaluation and receipt of supplies, caging, equipment and animals. Handle and transfer animals between facilities. Assist Animal Technician II’s and I’s in doing daily tasks as necessary. Encourage all Animal Technicians to develop teamwork among the group, discuss with other Animal Technician III’s regarding the day-to-day responsibilities within and between colonies. Notify supervisor of any concerns or unusual activities/changes or abnormalities existing in the colony. Supervise the technicians as required.

Other Assignments – 5% Obtain; maintain education and skills of laboratory animal husbandry regulations that pertain to the use of research animals and safety measures in handling nonhuman primates, chemicals and biohazards. Assist research scientists and investigators in the implementation of research projects by tending their animals, recording and reporting observations. May assist veterinary care and monitor post-operative condition. Administer medications as directed by the veterinary staff. Stay current on all required training. Perform the duties required of essential personnel members in the event of an emergency. Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements: Two years of experience as an Animal Technician 2 or equivalent; OR Eighteen months of experience as an Animal Technician 2 or equivalent and satisfactory completion of an applicable advanced technician training course comparable to the program required for certification as an animal technician by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science; OR Eighteen months of experience as an Animal Technician 2 or equivalent and two years of college with course work in animal or life science. Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Desired: Knowledge of USDA law, NIH guidelines, PHS policy and IACUC functions. Have basic knowledge and understanding of sanitation techniques, including steam and chemical sterilization, and appropriate use of disinfectants and detergents. Have basic knowledge and understanding of non-human primate health and behavior. Possess AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician certification. Strong interpersonal, communications and collaboration skills, experience leading and supervising teams, and attention to detail are also desired.

Conditions of Employment: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of health assessment at the UW ABC's designated Health Clinic. The health assessment may include but is not limited to tuberculosis clearance, measles clearance, serum banking, and immunizations, such as tetanus and vaccinia, physical exam and/or review of work health history, x-rays, and/or assessment to wear positive or negative respiratory protective equipment. These health assessments will be repeated periodically during work assignment. May be required to work with and take specific precautions, against and/or be immunized against potentially infectious agents.

Specific precautions may include wearing respirators and/or protective clothing. Employee must be willing to work in personal protective equipment (PPE), which may include face shields, face masks, gloves, lab clothing, and booties. Employee is personally responsible for following health & safety and security policies/procedures.

Punctuality and a regular pattern of attendance are essential functions of the position.

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.