ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Clean and disinfect animal cages, pens and heavy (30-60 lbs.) floor grates via water hosing method or automatic machine casewashing device. Mix chemical cleansing solutions and agents (e.g. bleach, acid cleaner, and detergents) to disinfect and sanitize bottles, pails, pans, cages, pens and entire work area. Sanitize floors using brooms, mops, wet-n-dry vacuum and/or floor scrubber. Remove and dispose of soiled bedding.

Receive animal feed, bedding, and supplies. Transport heavy (30-60 lbs.) animal feed and bedding bags using moving equipment to various locations. Operate transport vehicles (e.g. van or truck) having either automatic or standard transmission as well as mechanical or manual equipment to move materials to appropriate locations. Assist division transportation technician to transport a variety of laboratory animal species, equipment, supplies and materials which support research activity within an animal care facility or facilities at the university.

Maintain logs and records to report equipment (i.e. cagewash) malfunction and/or breakdown and follow-up. May provide, with supervision, assistance to Laboratory Animal Technician job functions (i.e. changing pan liners, placing water bottles on cages, restraining animals.)

Attend departmental staff meetings. Participate in continuing education and employee training programs. Maintenance of lab animal equipment and facilities requires rotation through several on campus and off-campus research facilities.

Perform related work as assigned.

High School graduate or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Experience:

Some experience in an accredited animal care facility preferred.

Some experience and knowledge in the use and maintenance of various cagewashers, cabinet washers and bottle washers is preferred.

Some knowledge in the proper safety and use or cleaning chemicals.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Possession and maintenance of a valid Michigan Driver’s license and satisfactory driving record as determined by University policy.

Ability to transport a variety of light to heavy laboratory animal caging and equipment in weight from 70g - 100lbs.

Ability to communicate effectively with others.

Must obtain security clearance.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Maintain safe working conditions at all times by using equipment and supplies following appropriate safety procedures; protect against controllable fairly predictable hazards by wearing safety masks, goggles, gloves, boots and other protective clothing. Complete assignments represented by frequent handling and transporting of animal species, and other equipment and supplies.

Some working outdoors while loading and unloading goods.

On your feet most of the day.

Some exposure to animal noise and odor.

Occasional wet floor conditions.

Automated machine noise exposure.

THIS DESCRIPTION IS INTENDED TO INDICATE THE KINDS OF TASKS AND LEVELS OF WORK DIFFICULTY THAT WILL BE REQUIRED OF POSITIONS THAT WILL BE GIVEN THIS TITLE AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS DECLARING WHAT THE SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF ANY PARTICULAR POSITION SHALL BE. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO LIMIT OR IN ANY WAY MODIFY THE RIGHT OF ANY SUPERVISOR TO ASSIGN, DIRECT AND CONTROL THE WORK OF EMPLOYEES UNDER THEIR SUPERVISION. THE USE OF A PARTICULAR EXPRESSION OR ILLUSTRATION DESCRIBING DUTIES SHALL NOT BE HELD TO EXCLUDE OTHER DUTIES NOT MENTIONED THAT ARE OF SIMILAR KIND OR LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

Laboratory Animal Technicians (I & II) are considered to be “Essential Personnel” and are required to report during a university emergency closure period.