UToledo Careers

Job Description:

Provides daily husbandry of laboratory animals to include observations of animals, handling and restraint, feeding and watering, changing cages/racks, and sanitizing animal areas and equipment.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

• Monitors daily animal health and welfare while performing daily observations and animal husbandry duties to maintain quality and health of research animals
• Performs daily water bottle /automatic water line and cage checks; provide appropriate food and water; perform cage changing and/or cage cleaning as required; maintains all records associated with duties and reports all irregularities. 
• Cleans, sanitizes, disinfects, and/or sterilizes animal facility, equipment and department space and manages waste according to prescribed standards.
• Performs routine maintenance and/or basic mechanical repair to mobile caging, racks, tables, automatic watering equipment, etc.
• Operates and/or uses supplies and equipment necessary to perform the husbandry duties such as cage washers and autoclaves, and reports problems as they occur.
• Practices safety, environmental, and infection control methods and observes rules of animal disease control.
• Receives and verifies animal and supply shipments against purchase orders, bills of lading, and other documents
• May guide the work of new departmental or research staff, volunteers and/or student employees.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school or equivalent certification required
• ALAT certification preferred; if not certified, must obtain certification within the designated timeframe.
• 6 months of relevant work experience preferred
• Knowledge of laboratory animal care, safety and sanitation practices preferred
• No health or physical conditions that would prevent working with animals in a research setting

Communication and Other Skills:
• Ability to lift 50 lb. objects routinely
• Ability to stand during 90% of shift hours and perform physical activities such as push, pull, walk, bending, squatting and kneeling throughout the workday
• Ability to safely work in a wet and dry environment while adhering to established safety precautions
• Ability to understand and carry out written and oral directions
• Ability to cope with variable workloads and prioritize tasks
• Ability to work weekends and holidays; exceptional attendance record
• Ability to read and write common vocabulary and perform simple math
• Ability to work independently or in isolation
• Ability to work in personal protective equipment
• Ability to safely and efficiently handle animals
• Ability to complete workload in a timely manner and then perform additional ancillary duties in support of regulatory compliance
• Possess good interpersonal skills and ability to cooperate and work well with others
• Possess attention to detail; high quality of work expected

Preferred Qualifications:

• ALAT certification preferred
• 1-year experience working with animals in a laboratory setting, vet clinic, pet shop, zoo, rehabilitation center, or farm.
• Knowledge of laboratory animal care
• Knowledge of laboratory animal safety practices
• Knowledge of laboratory animal sanitation practices

Conditions of Employment:

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Toledo is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. The University of Toledo does not discriminate in employment, educational programs, or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military or veteran status, disability, familial status, or political affiliation. 

The University is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, dual-career professionals and covered veterans.

The University of Toledo provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation to complete this application, or for testing or interviewing, please contact the Human Resources Department at 419-530-4747 between the hours of 8:30AM and 5:00PM or apply online for an accommodation request. 

Computer access is available at most public libraries and at the Office of Human Resources located in the Center for Administrative Support on the Main Campus of the University of Toledo.