Animal Care Technician

Overview

About The Geneva Foundation

The Geneva Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established in 1993 with the purpose to ensure optimal health for service members and the communities they serve. This purpose is accomplished through our mission to advance military medicine through research, development, and education. Our culture is living our core values that focus on a higher purpose. Geneva serves a diverse population and is committed to making diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging a central focus of the employee experience. As a leader in military medical research, we develop critical lifesaving solutions for the global community – and build rewarding careers for our employees.

Benefits

Our benefits package includes financial rewards that are a significant part of the employee's total rewards compensation package. Geneva's highly competitive benefits include medical, dental, and vision healthcare, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings account, with employer contribution. Coverage is provided for employees and family members including domestic partners. Short-and long-term disability, Employee Assistance Program, Life & ADD insurance, 403b retirement plan with generous employer match, flexible leave options, 11 paid holidays per year, and up to 4 weeks of paid time off in a rolling year. Employees may qualify for PSLF as Geneva is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Full time positions come with all benefits. Part time and intermittent positions may vary.

About The Position

The Animal Care Technician provides humane non-veterinary care and husbandry for animals needed to support medical research and provides support on research investigations that require animal subjects.

This position will require the following:

• US Citizenship
• Being subject to VA’s Drug-Free Workplace Policy
• Undergo Mantoux test (PPD test) within fourteen (14) calendar days of start date and prior service
• Undergo Hepatitis B Vaccination 10 days start date
• Undergo NACI level clearance so a PIV card or a VA badge can be issued
• Work rotating five-day work schedules to include weekends and National Holidays
• Work on site

About The Project

VA Puget Sound R&D program is home to over 750 active research projects, funded by 95 different entities, including VA Office of Research Development, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and the National Science Foundation. This strong, diversified base of support has enabled VA Puget Sound to maintain a robust, productive research program that is regionally and nationally renowned for over 75 years. VA Puget Sound also has an AAALAC-accredited animal facility that supports vital research requiring animal models. The facilities and the program comply fully with the Animal Welfare Act and US Public Health Service Policy on humane care and use of laboratory animals. The program is managed by specialty-certified veterinarians and animal care staff. The R&D animal ethics committee (IACUC) oversees the program and reviews research protocols and ongoing work.

Salary Range

$20.00 - $21.25/Hr. Salaries and hourly pay rates are determined based on several factors including external market data, internal equity, and the candidate’s related knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.

Responsibilities

• Undergo site-specific training
• Consistently provide and promote humane housing conditions, gentle handling, and secure restraint of animals
• Ensure animal welfare and safety and report animal safety incidents within 24 hours
• Work independently and as part of a team to provide husbandry for animals needed in biomedical research investigations, primarily rodents (mice and rats), and some rabbits
• Work with animals that may bite, scratch, or kick
• Daily responsibilities include observation of animals for health, supplying animal feed and water, maintenance and cleaning of animal housing, housing, and procedure rooms and equipment, changing cages, cleaning and preparing cages, disposing of waste, stocking supplies such as food and bedding
• Adhere to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and infection control procedures
• Ability to operate equipment including autoclaves, cage-washers, floor scrubbers, lift carts, bedding dispensers, biosafety cabinets, water-pouch fillers, and fume hoods
• Ability to work while wearing personal protective equipment including gloves, goggles, face shields, hearing protection, and Powered Air Purifying Respirators
• Ability to work safely following safety protocols with research hazards including pathogens of Biosafety Level 1 or 2, toxins, and carcinogens
• Utilize computer system, including but not limited to checking and inputting electronic reports daily for accuracy and completeness, working in the research animal database to record animal data and print reports and labels, receiving and sending email communications, completing required online training
• Participate in activities that are designed to meet the requirements of this position
• Ability to lift up to 40lbs.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records
• Other duties as assigned by the PI/technical lead and Corporate manager

Qualifications

• Minimum High School Diploma or GED required
• Minimum 6 months of experience caring for animals in a professional setting such as a research animal facility, veterinary hospital, zoo, breeding facility, or pet store
• Knowledge of principles of animal breeding, or animal care and management
• Knowledge of normal animal behavior and understanding of ethical care obligations
• Knowledge of sanitation practices
• A working knowledge of and experience applying principles and requirements of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and the US Animal Welfare Act preferred
• Certification by The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) as an Assistant Laboratory Technician preferred
• Ability to work in a computer database, to send and receive email messages, and to complete online training modules
• Must be organized, attentive to detail, and possess a positive, friendly, and professional demeanor
• Must be flexible with changing priorities and able to communicate in a diplomatic and professional manner

Salary : $20 - $21