Animal Behaviorist

Title: Animal Behaviorist

Location: Silver Spring, MD

Position Type: Full Time

Position Summary:

Midnight Sun Technologies is looking to hire an Animal Behaviorist.

The Center for Veterinary Medicine's Office of Research (CVM/OR) is seeking an Animal Behaviorist to help support a non-terminal research study that involves 27 Beagles. As part of the approved protocol, these dogs will be adopted out at the conclusion of this study in accordance with HHS, FDA, and GSA guidelines. CVM/OR requires animal behaviorist support services to prepare these dogs for adoption, and to work with other animal species in the CVM/OR Animal Program. This position will be on-site at the FDA White-Oak location.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Serve as part of an animal care team, working in conjunction with other contractors, CVM/OR Veterinary staff and CVM/OR research staff. Note: Documented observations and recommendations will be reviewed by the COR and by the Attending Veterinarian.

• Primary tasks will be to perform behavioral assessments for all research beagles in the colony (27 total), and to provide positive reinforcement behavioral acclimatization training to enhance well-being for all beagles to assist in preparing them for adoption as a pet in a private home.
• Visit all or most, as directed by the COR, animal holding rooms and document assessments from the perspective of a behaviorist weekly, with occasional presentations to the CVM OR Veterinary Staff and other CVM OR employees.
• Provide training (when requested by CVM OR Veterinary Staff) for FDA CVM staff working with the research beagles so that they can fully participate in the positive reinforcement behavioral acclimatization program.
• Assist FDA CVM veterinarians to manage canine socialization, monitor animal welfare, assess, and manage the enrichment program, and prepare the beagles for adoption.

• Assess adequacy and value of enrichment, acclimatization, and socialization procedures based on data collection and provide comparison to known performance standards for laboratory animals

• Perform the following duties for one or more of additional species (aquatic species (fish and frogs), goats, and cattle (all ages)):
• Performing behavioral assessment
• Positive reinforcement behavioral acclimatization training duties to enhance animal well-being
• Assisting with managing the enrichment program
• Monitoring animal welfare

Note: on the job training will be provided for these additional species by FDA CVM and prior experience with any or all of these species is of benefit, but not required.

Position Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, psychology or related discipline preferred.
• Prior experience with nonhuman primates and/or many other species of laboratory animals, AALAS certifications, research experience in the study of animal behavior or animal welfare is desired.
• 1 year experience working as an Animal Behaviorist for dogs in biomedical research settings (preferred), or kennel settings (may be public or private). Other experience working as a behaviorist with dogs may be considered.
• Veterinary technician certification is of benefit, but not required.

Apply online at our website: https://kikiktagruk.applicantpool.com/jobs/

Disclaimer: This is not to be an exclusive list of all responsibilities', duties, and skills required of the person in this job. KIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIC considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, physical or mental disability, family responsibility, marital status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran's status or any other legal protected status. Pursuant to The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 43 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 et seq., and federal contractual requirements, Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corporation, may legally grant certain preference in employment opportunities to KIC Shareholders and their Descendants. EOE/AA/M/F/D/V. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here. Successful candidate must pass, comply and adhere to KIC's Drug and Alcohol policy/testing requirements and pass a thorough background check including fingerprinting.