The Animal Resources Center at The University of Texas at Austin covers approx. 150,000 sq. ft. of research animal space. The Animal Resources Center is responsible for managing three centralized animal facilities as well as some of the smaller satellite locations.
The Animal Resources Center is seeking an animal care professional to provide husbandry and other animal care services to all facilities under the ARC’s management. This position will be a great opportunity for someone eager to learn and navigate multiple facilities and research animal species.
UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
- Retirement contributions
- Paid vacation and sick time
- Paid holidays
Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered.
Purpose
This position is responsible for providing animal husbandry at the ARC facility, primary work location, for 50% of the time and the remaining 50% of the time providing backup to the other facilities managed by the ARC, as needed..
Responsibilities
- Provides animal husbandry and care for rodents and other species housed in all ARC facilities, as needed, to assist when facilities are understaffed.
- Observes animals for signs of disease and/or illness and reports conditions to the veterinary group.
- Completes all required job-related documentation, including per diem sheets, checklists, animal records, and files.
- Provides backup support by operating cagewash equipment including rack washers, tunnel washers, and autoclaves. Sanitizes animal housing equipment using cage-washing machines. Fills drinking bottles with fresh water and cages with bedding. Cleans cages, pens, and animal quarters. Sanitizes animal rooms, equipment, and facilities to prevent infections and disease. Maintains accurate records of room/equipment cleans. Prepares and uses dips, sprays, detergents, and disinfectants.
- Performs routine maintenance checks on equipment and reports any equipment that requires repairs or maintenance. Maintains accurate records of equipment checks.
- Sets up incoming animal deliveries. Receives, identifies, and cages newly arrived animals. Verifies animal deliveries against order documentation and submits delivery documentation to facility supervisor.
- May work without onsite supervision on weekends and University holidays as required.
- Other special projects and duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- High school graduation or GED.
- At least one year of experience in the care and handling of animals.
- Successful completion of a WorkSteps physical abilities test.
- Demonstrated punctuality, good attendance record, careful follow-through as instructed, and flexibility.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in performing husbandry in a lab animal setting.
- Experience in careful food preparation for animals.
- Experience with equipment used in working with laboratory animals.
- Experience in the sanitation of housing and facilities to prevent infections and disease.
- Certification through the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science.
Salary Range
$41,000
Working Conditions
- Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment (furnished)
- May work around chemical fumes
- May work around biohazards
- May work around chemicals
- May work around electrical and mechanical hazards
- Use of manual dexterity
- Climbing of stairs
- Lifting and moving
- Occasional weekend, overtime and evening work to meet deadlines
Required Materials
- Resume/CV
- 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
- Letter of interest
