UNIV-Agricultural/Animal Associate I-DLAR

Job Description Summary

Execute the daily husbandry of the animal facility to ensure compliance with existing regulations and
DLARSOP's.

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Classified

Cost Center

CC001348 Human Resources Administration

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Grade

University-04

Pay Range

32,686.00 - 46,578.50 - 60,471.000

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

35% 1.1 Perform Animal Husbandry Duties.
Provide consistently high standards of animal husbandry. Examples of required husbandry tasks to accomplish this objective include:

Perform husbandry procedures for USDA species according to DLAR SOPs.
• Ensure animal care is completed as scheduled and according to established SOPs.
• Perform daily health checks of animals and report any abnormal findings or unusual behavior per established workflows.
• Effectively and professionally communicate with research staff regarding the status of their animals through verbal, written, or electronic means. (Weaning, animal arrival notifications, etc.)
• Ensure animal cages, bottles, and caging accessories are changed according to schedule and that soiled items are immediately transported to cage wash.
• Ensure proper diets are fed and water is readily available as required.
• Ensure enrichment is provided unless otherwise specified.
• Ensure vent racks are connected to allow airflow and automatic watering, if applicable.
• Ensure all breeding and overcrowded policies are being followed in accordance with DLAR SOPs.
• Ensure cages are labeled for weaning and overcrowding, etc.
• Ensure newly arrived animals are housed correctly and in a timely manner.
• Perform daily monitoring of the automatic watering system, coolers, and other support equipment.

25% 1.2 Perform Administrative Duties.
Maintain the accuracy of a variety of records related to facility operations and facility maintenance. Examples of required tasks to accomplish this objective include:

Ensure the accuracy of animal identification and census information.
• Keeping accurate animal health, husbandry, and environmental records.
• Maintain accurate equipment, supply, and facility documents (e.g., maintenance records, expiration dates)
• Maintain inventory of caging, equipment, and supplies for assigned animal rooms.
• Participate in SOP development and review as needed.

25% 1.3 Perform Housekeeping Duties.
Maintain established cleaning and sanitization standards within the facility. Examples of required tasks to accomplish this objective include:

Ensure all sweeping, mopping, garbage removal, and washing tasks assigned are complete according to DLAR SOP.
• Ensure all animal housing supplies, food bins, and other animal care-related equipment are sanitized according to DLAR SOP.
• Stock supplies throughout the facility and assist in inventory control; notify facility supervisor of supply and ordering needs.
• Follow established PPE policies and procedures throughout the vivarium.
• Appropriately mix and use all cleaning solutions according to established DLAR SOPs and/or manufacturers' instructions.
• Assist in room prep and H2O2 disinfection for assigned animal rooms.
• Properly dispose of all expired chemicals.

10% 1.4 Perform Administrative Duties.
Provide consistently high standards of record keeping. Examples of required tasks to accomplish this objective include:

Ensure accurate recording ofroom info, i.e.: census sheets, cage cards (animal sex), and room logs .
• Ensure proper procedures are followed to ensure appropriate animal care for projects that include special animal populations. (e.g., immunocompromised animals, etc.)
• Ensure proper procedures for projects that include the administration of biohazards to animals are followed.
• Coordinate animal/rack transfers with facility supervisors.
• Ensure all protocol-related deviations are followed.

5% 1.5 Perform Other Duties as Assigned.
Examples of required tasks to accomplish this objective include:

Under the guidance of the supervisor, provide absentee support for animal care technicians or cage washers (often in other facilities).
• Provide assistance during unusual and/or unanticipated circumstances.
• Perform euthanasia of rodents as directed.
• Efficiently collect appropriate sentinel samples.
• Ensure completion of mandatory/required training.

Additional Job Description

Minimum Requirements: A bachelor's degree in animal husbandry, agriculture or a related field and three years of experience in agricultural research or animal care that is directly related to the area of employment. Work experience in animal care or agricultural research may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis. Certification in an animal care technology field may be required for positions overseeing the care of laboratory animals. Physical Requirements: (Note: The following descriptions are applicable to this section: Continuous - 6-8 hours per shift; Frequent - 2-6 hours per shift; Infrequent - 0-2 hours per shift) Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous) Ability to climb using step stool. (Infrequent) Ability to work in temperature extremes (32° F to 100 ° F) when required due to assignments in cold rooms and/or foreign countries. (Infrequent) Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Continuous) Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 4 liter waste material bottles a distance of 30 feet, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift and carry 25 lbs. to 30 lbs. jugs of liquid a distance of 100 feet, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to file boxes from floor level to counter tops, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift materials up to 20 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift 25 lbs. boxes from floor level to a maximum height of 72". (Infrequent) Ability to lift 40 lbs. centrifuge rotors, from floor level to a height of 40 inches, then down 20 inches into centrifuge drum. (Infrequent) Ability to push/pull file boxes from one location to another at floor level, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to maneuver heavy equipment on bench tops (Frequent) Ability to reach, stretch, bend, while moving items/materials from both sitting and standing positions. (Frequent) Ability to conduct a variety of hand pipefitting operations. (Continuous) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision in both eyes, corrected. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to hear and recognize various alarms emitting from work area systems. (Continuous) Ability to work in a darkroom for processing film, etc. (Continuous) Ability to qualify for the use of cartridge respirators. (Continuous) Ability to work in dusty areas. (Infrequent) May require working with animals of various sizes.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

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