Animal Technician Assistant

HOW TO APPLY

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 2 weeks

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor for Research, the Office of Research has primary responsibility for research policy, planning, and administration of the UC Santa Cruz Research enterprise. The Office of Research (OR) supports the research community through five units: the Office of Sponsored Projects, Research Development, the Office of Research Compliance Administration, the Innovation & Business Engagement Hub, and Office of Research Business & Operations.

The Vivarium (the laboratory animal housing unit) provides support to researchers by housing and caring for laboratory animals.

JOB SUMMARY

Under the close supervision of the Assistant Animal Resource Manager (ARM), the Assistant Animal Technician is responsible for the daily care of animals, which includes feeding and watering animals, sanitization, equipment operation, and maintenance.

Involves conducting or assisting with routine, emergency and critical veterinary care and animal husbandry activities for clinical or laboratory animal patients. May be involved in conducting or assisting with research and teaching projects including development and design of animal protocols. May involve internal and public outreach. May include instructions of students, volunteers and clients.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $25.08 - $25.77/hour. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: All days of the week
• Shift Includes: Day, Evenings, Weekend

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: SX Union

Job Code Classification: 009526 (ANML TCHN AST)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

45% - Sanitation

• Maintain sanitary conditions of the cages, accessories, racks, rooms, and surrounding areas on a scheduled basis as outlined in established Special Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Responsible for environmental maintenance, basic animal care, employee safety, and the proper discharge of procedures requested by supervisors or investigators.

30% - Equipment/Operation

• Operate and maintain ancillary vivarium equipment, such as cage washer, autoclave, dumping stations, and laminar-flow units as outlined in established Special Operating Procedures (SOPs). May assist with identifying the needs of equipment replacements or upgrades.
• Monitor procedures and work habits to ensure a safe work environment.

15% - Care of Animals

• Monitor, feed, and water resident laboratory animals daily as outlined in established Special Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Assist in the observation of animal appearance and behavior. Report signs of obvious disease, departures from normal behavior, or general concerns.

10% - Training

• Participate in both on-the-job and American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) training toward certification to improve existing skills as well as developing new skills.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Graduate and/or equivalent education and/or experience.
• Ability to learn how to provide laboratory animal care.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Interpersonal skills to communicate clearly and effectively with support staff, faculty, research technicians, and students from a wide-variety of ethnic, socio-economic, professional and educational backgrounds.
• Ability to problem-solve, with the capacity to learn and perform routine and repetitive tasks.
• Ability to participate and be a part of the research and work relating to the experimental use of laboratory animals.
• Ability and willingness to participate in training programs.
• Ability to work using basic computing applications such as email, Excel, and Word.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Ability to work in conditions of variable temperature/weather with possible exposure to strong, unpleasant odors, high levels of noise and vibrations, and exposure to dust and allergens.
• Ability to wear proper safety attire (long pants, closed-toe shoes, etc.) and personal protective equipment common in a laboratory setting.
• May be required to wear protective clothing for extended periods of time including: gown, coveralls, gloves, masks, face shields, goggles, sleeves and head covers.
• Work under Animal Care & Use Occupational Health Program (ACUOHP) procedures and review in accordance with Federal and State Laws and Regulations and University Policy.
• Must be able to work with animals and chemical agents with no known allergic reaction.
• Open-minded attitude toward the experimental use of laboratory animals.
• Must be able to move materials weighing up to 80 lbs., with or without accommodation.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.