ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN

Perform a variety of laboratory animal care-taking duties for the departments of Biology and Psychology. Maintain feeding schedules, bedding changes, clean and sanitize animal caging, lab areas and storage areas. Monitor animal health and welfare in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and maintain facilities for compliance. Keep daily records and order supplies. Maintain plants and animals housed in the Greenhouse and growth rooms. Work in collaboration with the other epartment Laboratory Technician to maintain the living collections and assume one another's duties as needed.

Supervision : Reports to the Chair of Biology Department

Job Duties:

1. Work within a team to provide care and maintenance of the living collections for the departments of Biology, Psychology, ENVS and other departments as needed. The living collection will include mammals, amphibians, fresh and marine aquaria, crayfish, frogs, insects, daphnia, and ostracod tanks as well as plant life. Ensure the living collections are managed and maintained in a healthy condition.

2. Determine appropriate feed and maintain feeding schedules and special diets for each species of animals.

3. Perform routine bedding changes on a daily or weekly bases depending on species requirements and protocol specifications. Clean and sanitize animal caging, feeders, water bottles and other items as required.

4. Clean and sanitize animal rooms and non-animal areas within the lab to include floors, walls, and all surfaces. Monitor animal rooms and feed storage environmental conditions through daily logs for temperature and humidity. Monitor lighting systems for day/night cycles and proper air exchange.

5. Complete training in biological safety and blood-borne pathogens to allow work in Biological Laboratory Safety Level 2 (BSL2) animal housing facility.

6. Work with the faculty member leading the BSL2 facility to safely maintain animals housed in this facility. This requires performing routine procedures in an ISO-certified containment hood and autoclaving all incoming and outgoing materials to protect individuals using the facility, our environment, and preventing cross-contamination to other animals.

5. Perform routine daily animal health monitoring. Identify and report health issues to faculty member or veterinarian and prepare facilities for needed surgeries.

6. Collect and maintain accurate records such as detailed information on animal weight, size, diet, behavior, and health. Create and manage disposition logbooks, cage identification cards, and review data as needed to update and maintain accurate records.

7. Maintain all inventory of supplies, food, bedding, disinfectant, and lab cleaning equipment. Place orders and receive shipments.

8. Develop and demonstrate a multicultural awareness and contribute to cultivating an inclusive, diverse, and respectful College community. Demonstrate civil and inclusive behavior when interacting with staff, faculty, students, and visitors to the College. Promote a flexible, collaborative, and inclusive work and living environment and engage in educational opportunities to increase awareness and understanding of diversity and inclusion.

9. Provide support and direction for undergraduate workers assigned to work with faculty involved in animal research, particularly with regards to animal handling and maintenance.

10. Serve as a resource and coordinate with faculty and staff from biology, psychology, environmental science, and other departments as needed to ensure proper interpretation of needs.

11. Become current on policies, procedures and recommendations as outlined by the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare and American Association for Laboratory Animal Science through continuing education. Ensure that the facilities comply with all animal welfare guidelines and standards.

12. Participate as a member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Attend IACUC meetings. Keep institutional and state animal use records including current protocols, animal inventories and other documentation and serve as the contact person for state and federal facility inspections.

13. Plan for emergencies (i.e. snow storm) and prepare animals with additional supplies in anticipation of being unable to care for them for that period of time.

14. Provide intake and care for animals that come into the college for labs – such as crayfish, mice, and frogs. Set up labs and dispose of remains properly.

15. Assist with daphnia care and feedings during weekends, holidays, breaks or other times as needed.

16. Create, update, and maintain Standard Operations of Procedures for each animal colony which includes detailed daily care and husbandry procedures, temperature and humidity requirements, specific food requirements, intake procedures of new animals, breeding plans and breeding logs, post-surgical care and euthanasia procedures.

17. Create and implement an enrichment plan designed to promote species typical behaviors for each colony (as allowed) to keep them both mentally and physically active.

18. Keep detailed medical observations and communicate as needed with the lead investigator.

19. Prepare and sterilize laboratory equipment and cages.

20. Manage the hiring, training, and scheduling of all student workers for the Vivarium (animal facility) and Greenhouse. Provide leadership to students for both daily routine activities and to provide support to student-conducted research projects.

21. Maintain any plants or living organisms housed in the greenhouse and growth rooms. This includes watering plants, maintaining appropriate temperature and air flow in the facility during changing seasons, and disposal of dead organic matter (such as leaves or whole plants).

22. Manage and assist in pest removal in the greenhouse to ensure a safe environment for all plants and animals housed in the facility.

23. Assist with the maintenance of the aquaponics system, coordinating with faculty and students working on this project.

24. Oversee the coordination of student projects in the greenhouse to ensure that they have access to the space and supplies needed.

25. Communicate directly with faculty leading projects in either the Vivarium or the Greenhouse if a problem arises

26. During weekends, holidays, and breaks: Make sure all living organisms (plants, fish, etc.) are taken care of appropriately

27. Participate in the yearly Lab and Chemical Safety seminar.

28. As an essential worker, in an emergency situation (such as occurred during the Covid shutdown of campus), in addition to regular duties described above, provide care for student pets rescued from dorm rooms, maintain equipment in the department, deliver supplies, pick up mail and packages, and order and shop for needed supplies throughout the department.

Application Instructions: Apply online with letter of interest, resume, and 3 professional references.

Hiring Range : $16.69-$19 per hour commensurate with qualifications and experience. We pride ourselves on providing our benefit-eligible employees with comprehensive benefits, including work/life balance, generous paid time off policies, career-enhancing trainings, educational benefits, and opportunities to give back to the community. Beyond benefits, you’ll enjoy the kind of uniquely rewarding work environment that can only be found in a vibrant college community. For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit https://www.ithaca.edu/human-resources/employee-benefits-wellness

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position