Animal Technician 4

at  Yale University

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Six years of related work experience, four of them in the same job family at the next lower level, and a high school level education; or four years of related experience and an Associate Degree; or little or no work experience and a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

REQUIRED SKILL/ABILITY 1:

Must be able to obtain BL3 certification. Must pass security risk assessment performed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation/Criminal Justice Information Service. Must be willing to obtain current and future vaccines required by the Yale Biological Safety Committee (BSC) for those who work with BSL3 agents.

REQUIRED SKILL/ABILITY 2:

Well-developed interpersonal skills; proven experience working within a team. Accuracy, reliability, and good attention to detail when utilizing required forms, files and records; computer skills (Outlook, Excel, Word).

REQUIRED SKILL/ABILITY 3:

Ability to recognize signs of animal well-being, illness and abnormalities, sensitivity to and appreciation of research animals. Ability to work with species that present a scratch/bite hazard. Ability to work in conditions with zoonotic disease transmission hazard. Must be able to work with all YARC & EHS approved chemicals.

REQUIRED SKILL/ABILITY 4:

Ability to work in area with high noise that may require hearing protection; to be exposed to wet, slippery work surfaces. Ability to lift 50lbs. and push/pull 70 lbs. and work with industrial cleaning and sterilizing equipment.

REQUIRED SKILL/ABILITY 5:

Good attendance record.

BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENTS

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit “Learn about background checks” under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It’s Your Yale website.

POSTING DISCLAIMER

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

1. Coordinates and oversees program activities for animal environments, housing and husbandry within designated areas of a Unit. 2. Regularly reviews PI Special Instructions (SI) to ensure that all animal cages with SI are clearly and accurately labeled. Monitors room log notebooks to ensure that animal care complies with SI and University and government regulations. 3. Trains and/or instructs staff, appropriate to level, on animal care and room sanitation techniques. 4. Using established criteria and checklists, oversees the monitoring of physical environmental parameters (such as temperature, humidity, differential air pressure, lights), certification of clean air devices, rack and equipment rotation and animal housing automatic water systems and ventilation. Submits, tracks, and monitors maintenance requests; acts as a point of contact for request follow up. 5. Provides assistance to Rodent Preventative Medicine by reporting changes in room populations (i.e. number of racks) for placement of sentinels/targeted sentinels for the rodent QA program. Coordinates with the Unit Manager/Supervisor, Rodent Services and Unit scheduler to implement room moves, targeted sentinels and handling of equipment. 6. Participates in startup meetings for in vivo use of hazardous agents. Serves as the principal source of information for the meeting attendees (YARC and investigator) regarding availability and location of YARC supplies and equipment required for the research project. Confirms that appropriate signage is posted in assigned areas. 7. Maintains inventory of food, bedding and supplies; establishes, maintains and forecasts a list of quantities to have available in designated areas, order supplies (internally and externally), as needed. 8. Observes and evaluates animals for signs of illness and stress and deviations in animal conditions. Feeds, houses, and handles animals in accordance with all regulations. 9. Performs animal care under veterinary oversight, which may include minor treatments, pre- and post-procedural care and providing enrichment to individual animal species. 10. Provides husbandry and specialized services for animals in animal colonies. Maintains, sanitizes and decontaminates animal caging, rooms and facilities within hazardous areas to established standards. 11. Maintains detailed records as required by institutional, local and federal regulations. 12. Assists with SOP development; participates in focus groups. 13. May perform other related duties as necessary.