UNIV - Agricultural/Animal Associate I - DLAR

Job Description Summary

Coordinate and execute the daily husbandry of the animal facility to ensure compliance with
existing regulations and departmental SOP's. Foster an environment of care, respect, and support for animals, researchers, and staff. Provide new and continuing training to personnel, inclusive of administrative, animal husbandry operations, and facility maintenance. Must be a self-starter and able to work with minimal supervision to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and proactively communicate. Must be able to work on a rotating schedule to provide coverage on weekends, holidays, and during hazardous weather events.

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Classified

Cost Center

CC001152 DLAR Division Of Laboratory Animal Resources

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

1.1 Perform Animal Husbandry Duties. Weight 35%.

Provide consistently high standards of animal husbandry and step-in to cover husbandry gaps when required. 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 air flow 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 overcrowding, etc.
• Ensure accurate recording of room 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. (i.e.: immunocompromised animals, etc.)
• Ensure proper procedures for projects that include administration of biohazards to animals are followed.
• Ensure newly arrived animals are housed correctly and in a timely manner.
• Perform daily monitoring of automatic watering system, coolers and other support equipment.
• Coordinate animal/rack transfers with facility supervisors.
• Ensure all protocol related deviations are followed.

1.2 Perform Housekeeping Duties. Weight 20%.

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 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.
• Ensure CO2 tanks are adequately stocked and are operational.

1.3 Facilitate Personnel Training. Weight 20%.

In addition to engaging in personal cross-training, Leads are expected to facilitate training of new personnel and investigator staff. Examples of required tasks to accomplish this objective include:

• Collaborate with supervisors and research staff to identify personnel training needs.
• Ensure completion of mandatory/required training.
• When required, clearly and accurately explain and demonstrate work procedures, expected performance, and basic knowledge to perform husbandry operations in accordance with DLAR SOP.
• When required, train new employees and PIs on basic techniques pertinent to each species.
• When required, conduct training of facility and investigative staff on appropriate PPE, equipment, safety-related SOPs, and OSHA safety standards.
• Ensure employee compliance with of existing DLAR SOPs and SOP updates.

1.4 Perform Administrative Duties. Weight 15%.

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 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.
   

1.5 Perform Other Duties as Assigned. Weight 10%.

• Under the guidance of the supervisor, provide absentee support for animal care technicians and cage wash staff (often in other facilities).
• Provide back-up for supervisors when required. This can include sending email notifications/communication and monitoring of animal rooms and other duties as requested.
• Check and report any issues to the program manager.
• Perform euthanasia of rodents as directed.
• Perform minor veterinary treatments as directed.
• Efficiently collect appropriate sentinel samples as directed.
• Ensure completion of mandatory/required training.

MUSC Minimum Training and Experience Requirements:

An associate's degree in animal husbandry, agriculture or a related field and two 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 associate'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. Veterinary Technician Certification may be used in lieu of the years of experience. 
 

Additional Job Description

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.

Physical Requirements: (DLAR Specific):
Must be able to lift 50 lbs. above waist routinely. Must be able to work with animals. May be exposed to animal allergens. May be exposed to zoonotic diseases. Must be able to work in dusty environments. May have to work in wet areas. Must be able to properly wear DLAR issued PPE. Must be able to work in reverse light cycle rooms. May have to work in confined spaces. Must be able to understand safety requirements for autoclave rack washer and tunnel washer.

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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