Animal Care Tech I

The OAR is a service center responsible for providing high-quality animal care, veterinary care, and support for the research and teaching missions of the University of Colorado, Boulder. The highly dedicated and experienced OAR staff is committed to the health and well-being of laboratory animals, student and investigator training, and technical service.

Animal Husbandry:

• Procure animal feed and supplies from appropriate support areas and transport them to the required use site.
• Change and/or clean soiled animal cages, feeding devices and watering devices.
• Collect soiled animal bedding and other wastes and transport to designated waste disposal sites (i.e. cage wash room or dumpster).
• Clean/sanitize at regular intervals direct and indirect animal contact surfaces by washing with appropriate detergents/disinfectants.

Animal Health:

• Evaluate the basic health status of animals and report abnormalities to the appropriate personnel. Weighs, administers medications, breeds, records breeding status data, euthanizes, restrains, receives and transports laboratory animals as advised by supervisor or veterinarian.

Documentation:

• Record daily animal care activities on room check sheets and enters work activities into the database.
• Scan cage cards to record animal census in the animal rooms.
• Contact appropriate personnel regarding dead/sick animals, overcrowded cages, euthanasia requests and specific project requirements.

Room/Facility Maintenance:

• Select, prepare, dispense and use hazardous chemicals and disinfectants according to the manufacturer's instructions in cleaning and sanitizing animal rooms, racks, cages and pens and animal support areas.
• Operate equipment such as floor buffers, high-pressure washers, laundry equipment, and environmental monitoring equipment for cleaning/sanitizing purposes.
• Operate mechanical equipment to clean and sterilize cages such as autoclaves and cage washers.
• Clean/sanitize/disinfect animal holding rooms, procedure rooms, and support rooms.

This full-time, on-site position includes the following benefits:

• A 10% employer contribution retirement plan.
• Opportunity for career growth!
• Paid days off: 22 vacation days, 15 sick leave days, and 10 holidays.
• Access to medical, vision, dental, and life insurance.
• EcoPass for free RTD rides.
• Tuition reimbursement.

All University of Colorado Boulder employees are required to comply with the campus COVID-19 vaccine requirement. New employees must provide proof of vaccination or receive a medical or religious exemption within 30 days of employment.

The hiring range for this position is $37,900-$39,800 annually.

• One year of relevant experience. College coursework in a field of study related to the work assignment will substitute for the experience.
• Previous experience caring for, feeding, or providing health care for animals in a veterinary laboratory, zoo, breeding, or boarding facility.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, customer service, critical thinking, outstanding communication skills, organization, attention to detail, general office equipment, problem-solving, time management, computer use, and basic mathematical skills.
• Willing and able to: sit, stoop, kneel, and balance on an occasional basis.