Animal Care Technician

Performs routine duties associated with animal care in a research setting. Prepares food and feeds animals, administers medications, maintains sanitary conditions, observes animal conditions and behavior, and collects animal specimens. May assist in animal restraint, maintaining animal housing and minor cage maintenance. Performs related responsibilities as required. Employees in the classification may be required to work with, take specific precautions against and/or be immunized against potentially hazardous agents. Weekend work and overtime hours are a requirement of this position. Responsible for assessing and maintaining security of animals in their primary enclosure. May be designated as essential personnel during a storm/natural disaster. If required to work during a closure, employee must provide accurate and current contact information and is responsible for maintaining communication with TNPRC. Failure to report to work when requested by supervisor or manager will result in disciplinary action as outlined by the Staff Handbook.

Failure to meet established performance standards in the performance of the job duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description (or as otherwise assigned); and/or failure to interact courteously and tactfully with managers, co-workers, customers and/or vendors such that productivity or departmental morale suffers will result in management taking the appropriate disciplinary action as outlined in the Staff Handbook.

Employee attendance must meet established work schedules. Faithfulness in coming to work, being on time, planning absences in advance when possible, and calling in when unavoidably detained from reporting for work is an essential requirement of the job.

Note: The following criteria will not be used in screening qualified applicants but may be considered in the final decision-selection process of candidates interviewed.

• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to lift items weighing up to 50 lbs
• Must have the ability to work with nonhuman primates and other laboratory animal species without jeopardizing the health of said nonhuman primates and other laboratory animal species

• The TNPRC maintains biosafety level 3 facilities and performs work on diverse infectious agents many of which can cause serious disease in humans if standard operating procedures, including use of appropriate personal protective equipment, are not followed. Depending on agent specific risk assessments individuals may be offered, or in some cases required to have vaccinations against the relevant agents

• If this position is assigned to work in ABSL3 containment areas there will be additional minimum requirements including some or all of the following:
• Must pass a US Department of Justice Security Risk Assessment for access to select biological agents and toxins
• Ability to perform job duties while wearing respiratory protection
• Must participate in drug and alcohol program and be in compliance with TNPRC drug and alcohol policy

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and one year of animal husbandry or related animal care experience