Animal Care Technician
Job Description
This position involves caring for laboratory animals used in teaching and research activities within the TRACSS Unit (Teaching & Research Animal Care Support Services-the non-client animal facility) at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. The job requires strict adherence to protocols that prevent the accidental introduction of disease or confounding research variables. Mistakes in judgment and imprecise conduct of duties may have far reaching financial and professional impacts on teaching and research projects. Duties include cleaning, feeding, watering and general husbandry of all animals (farm animals, dogs, cats, and rodents). This position will also be responsible for training researchers in animal procedures and regulatory compliance, performing medical interventions such as administration of medications to animals, collecting blood and tissue samples, identification methods and sex determination of various species of laboratory animals, implementing veterinary instructions, determining supply needs, identifying equipment and facility dysfunctions and reporting to a supervisor for repair, collecting and processing biological samples for diagnostic purposes and preventive health programs, performing work to accreditation standards of the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC), maintaining and documenting quality control standards for sterilization equipment and other records, observing and reporting on the health of animals, and exercising judgment in monitoring animals or seeking veterinary consultation for animals maintained within TRACSS. This position does includes an On-Call component, as well as some afterhours, weekends, and holidays.
Required Qualifications
Previous experience handling, restraining and providing basic veterinary care to animals, especially horses, cows, pigs, dogs, cats, and rodents; previous experience in animal husbandry; knowledge of health care procedures for animals; excellent organizational, time management and communication skills; ability to independently prioritize and order assigned daily tasks; demonstrated ability to work flexibly with team members to accomplish department goals; demonstrated ability to recognize abnormal behavior and clinical signs in laboratory animals, generate a basic rule-out list for common disorders, and determine when a veterinarian should be consulted.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelors degree in animal science, biology, or related field, or equivalent training and experience. AALAS certification as an AALAS technician and/or AALAS technologist. Previous experience driving/pulling goose-neck or bumper pull trailers.
Pay Band
3
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
Pay band 3-Salary: Commensurate with experience
Review Date
September 30, 2020
Additional Information
The successful Candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Monica Taylor at mctaylor@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.