Senior Lab Animal Care Technician

Posting Details
Position Information
Position Title
Senior Lab Animal Care Technician
Position Type
Limited-Term (Renewable)
Job Number
SA8862122
Full or Part Time
Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly
Fair Labor Standard Act Classification
Non-Exempt
Anticipated Pay Range
$26.00 - $35.00
Pay Range Information
Chapman University is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this position. This range takes into account a variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on the final candidate's qualifications and experience, as well as internal equity and other internal factors. The anticipated pay range is not a promise of a particular wage.
Position Summary Information
Job Description Summary
The Senior Lab Animal Technician position is available in the Office of Research's Rinker Campus Vivarium Facility. The Office of Research manages over 7,000 sq. ft. of OLAW-Assured rodent vivarium facilities. Research and teaching activities supported by the Office of Research & Graduate Education include pharmacological research, infectious disease, cancer biology, nutrition and metabolism studies, orthopedic research, therapeutics, toxicology and teaching activities to support a diverse program of learning. The vivarium exists to provide state-of-art care and support for the animal models component of these studies. This position is a full-time appointment that will be integral to facilitating research activities at Chapman University that utilize animal models. Duties may include: (1) daily Animal Care; (2) monitoring health, census, environmental parameters, and biosecurity measures associated with research animal management, and problem solving when variations in these measurements are not within acceptable standards; (3) coordinating & advising on equipment and disposable supply needs for maintenance of animal health and in accordance with SOP's; (4) attending investigator staff meetings when appropriate to be apprised of ongoing studies; (5) participating in preparation and QA monitoring of sterile materials required to ensure animal biosecurity; (6) assisting with active research protocols as necessary; (7) other duties as required.
The Senior Lab Animal Technician will work closely with the Vivarium Manager to perform administrative duties required to maintain vivarium operations. Additionally, the Senior Lab Animal Technician will assist the Office of Research and Graduate education alongside the Assistant Director of Operations for review of policies and procedures as well as any other tasks that are deemed necessary for support of research activities.
Responsibilities
Operations and Record Keeping

• Manage and maintain the daily operations of the Rinker Health Science Campus vivarium and assist with operations of the Hashinger Aviary as directed by the facility manager.
• Order animals and supplies as required for planned and ongoing studies; oversee inventory of supplies.
• Develop and maintain documents, including, but not limited to, standard operating procedures, daily room logs, and signage as required by regulatory agencies or the facility manager.
• Review and enforce Chapman University's Animal Care and IACUC-approved standard operating policies and procedures, manuals/guidelines, and website communication related to animal husbandry, surgery, and experimental procedures.
• Write and maintain documentation related to certifications, assurances, and accreditations including, but not limited to, NIH OLAW Assurance, and AAALAC Accreditation.
• Coordinate with vendors to maintain equipment as required by regulatory agencies or as directed by the facility manager.
• Maintain records as required for billing, husbandry, health, and operations; submit work orders and follow-up on completion status.
• Serve as back-up ex-oficio member for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) providing updates on behalf of the vivarium to the committee.
• Lead semi-annual inspections and provide follow-up as required to the IACUC on any deficiencies noted.
• Approve research requests including Hazardous Materials Use, Animal Orders, and Animal Transfers when the Vivarium Manager is unavailable.
• Assist with additional tasks in the Office of Research and Graduate Education related to processes and procedures as directed by the Vivarium Manager.

Animal Welfare Assessments and Animal Husbandry

• Oversee daily operations at the Rinker Health Science Campus Vivarium. Provide emergency coverage and assistance with the Hashinger Aviary as directed including development of SOPs and collaboration with the facility manager.
• Work closely with the Veterinarian to lead health treatments, including diagnosis and treatment. Develop and maintain Standards of Care (SOCs) to provide consistent health care and information to researchers as required.
• Prepare room and cages for incoming animals, managing receipt of animals and sterilization of rooms between projects.
• Count animals based upon protocol, project, cage card, or other parameters for regulatory and billing purposes.
• Oversee stocking of animal rooms with feed, water, and other supplies.
• Perform daily animal welfare checks to assess animal's behavior and wellbeing, report abnormalities to the veterinary staff or investigator staff for disposition.
• Perform routine husbandry including changing cages at scheduled intervals, and providing appropriate feed, water, and enrichment as needed.
• Serve as contact and lab member for vivarium specific protocols, including but not limited to: training and health colony management
• Work in collaboration with School of Pharmacy staff who oversee capital research equipment in the vivarium. Pharmacy staff will lead training, use and oversight of the equipment in the Vivarium.
• Lead training of Animal Husbandry Staff as directed by the facility manager.
• Follow biosecurity practices to minimize cross contamination.

Research Support

• Lead training and orientation of research staff and support staff and maintain all training records.
• Provide training for all research staff on various techniques, including injections, blood collection, and restraint as directed by the Vivarium Manager
• Perform technical services for researchers as requested, such as genotyping, injections, and monitoring.
• Aid in various animal studies requiring a wide variety of technical skills for compound/cell administration, bleeding, surgery, and imaging.

Monitor Environmental Parameters and Room Sanitation

• Manage environmental monitoring, including verification of room sanitation and daily monitoring and collecting samples for microbiological monitoring to confirm effectiveness of sanitation procedures.
• Use appropriate disinfectants and cleaning agents to disinfect and sanitize in and around animal holding areas and prior to receipt of animals and on a scheduled basis.
• Oversee facility cleanliness as maintained by Animal Husbandry Staff and additional contractors (i.e. custodial services).
• Sterilize equipment for use by husbandry staff and investigator staff as needed and requested by researchers or vivarium staff.

Miscellaneous

• Attends scheduled staff meetings and continuing education opportunities.
• Communicates Animal Care issues to investigator, investigator staff, supervisor, and co-workers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Working knowledge of applicable policies, guidelines and regulations. Working knowledge of laws and regulations that govern the housing and management of laboratory animals.
• Experience in a laboratory animal setting.
• Animal handling required. Must be willing to work with rodents, fish, and birds. Must be comfortable working with animals in a research setting.
• Must be willing to work weekends and certain holidays on a rotational basis.
• Ability to maintain detailed and accurate daily record keeping.
• Certification at the ALAT level. Ability to obtain LAT certification within 6 months from hire.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge or background with veterinary treatments and administrations. RVT preferred
• Will train on necessary research support procedures.

Special Instructions to Applicants
Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic global community. The University is dedicated to enhancing diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment and employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.
The University is committed to achieving a diverse faculty and staff and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. More information on diversity and inclusion at Chapman University can be found at www.chapman.edu/diversity.
Applicants for Staff and Administrator positions must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Chapman University does not sponsor applicants for Staff and Administrator positions for work visas.
The offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion and outcomes of a criminal background screening and returning to the Office of Human Resources a signed original acceptance of the Chapman University Agreement to Arbitrate.
Minimum Number of References
Maximum Number of References