Position Description:

Purpose

Provide animal husbandry, health monitoring, sanitation and/or support services, primarily cleaning and sanitizing caging and equipment, for laboratory animals. Provide advanced technical assistance to facilitate research, efficient operation of cage wash and/or clinical activities (e.g. manage breeding colonies, collect tissue samples). Lead teams of Lab Animal Technician I's and II's to perform animal related functions and animal health and welfare activities to ensure that duties are performed in a manner that is consistent with established policies and regulations.

Primary Functions

• Oversee daily tasks of BRC Technician I's and II's in performing support service related functions, maintenance procedures, animal husbandry and animal health and welfare activities to ensure duties are performed in a manner that is consistent with established policies and regulations. Train LAT I's and II's. Provide ongoing feedback to supervisor regarding personnel and operational performance.
• Sanitize animal rooms, cages, equipment, corridors and support areas, including specialized non-conventional areas, by using appropriate techniques to promote animal health and welfare and to comply with policies. Handle and restrain animals by using appropriate techniques to allow for the care and research to be performed in a safe and humane manner. Provide nutrition for animals by supplying feed and water.
• Sanitize, organize and maintain animal cages and equipment by operating rack washers, tunnel washers, bedding dispensers, vacuum bedding disposal system and autoclaves. Empty garbage dumpster and operate trash compactor.
• Assess animal health status by gathering and documenting data and observing animals in their environment to detect and report abnormal conditions. Administer treatments, euthanize animals and provide advanced technical assistance during special procedures. Initiate process and maintain records as prescribed by standard operating procedures.
• Maintain records by collecting and recording data to facilitate management of the facility.
• Monitor machinery and environment by obtaining, documenting and comparing data against established standards. Troubleshoot problems as necessary, referring issues requiring outside service to supervisor. Perform non-routine and routine maintenance and ensure proper operation of equipment and machinery in cage wash.
• Cross-train in all areas of the facility and provide coverage on an as needed basis for facility supervisors. On a rotating basis, perform weekend and holiday team leader responsibilities to perform husbandry and technical support, to include administering medications, collecting samples and directing team to carry out care.
• Assist in providing on-going compliance with policy and procedures, and development of policies and procedures. Assist with special projects as needed.
• Oversee packaging of waste materials sent out for incineration to ensure proper procedures are followed. Receive and properly process various shipments from the loading dock using carts, flatbeds and occasionally a pallet jack. Receive and properly distribute animal shipments as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Preferred Schedule:
Full-time role with expectations for coverage during core business hours and flexibility required as necessary to accommodate business needs

Position Requirements:

Knowledge - Skills - Abilities

Thorough understanding of laboratory animal facility operations and methods. Ability to work independently and as a part of a team. Ability to closely follow established procedures. Ability to demonstrate responsibility and dependability when completing assignments, plan and organize work according to established priorities and complete assignments accurately within established timeframes. Strong critical thinking, problem solving, accuracy and attentiveness to detail required. Ability to adapt to changing priorities. Excellent communication and problem solving skills. Data entry skills and basic proficiency in Microsoft Office. Willingness to work hard and be open to learning new tasks. Data utilization, complex problem solving, critical thinking, resource management, and writing skills.

Specifications

Appropriate education and/or experience may be substituted on equivalent basis

Minimum Required Education: High School Diploma

Minimum Required Experience: 5 years

Preferred Education: Bachelor Degree

Preferred Experience: Animal care in a laboratory animal facility or similar environment, previous team leadership

Field: Animal or Science related field

Certification: Certification as a Laboratory Animal Technician by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the time of hire is preferred. Certification must be achieved within 12 months of appointment.

Physical Requirements

Work requires movement of feed, bedding, cages, and other equipment require regular pushing, pulling and lifting of heavy objects. Must climb, balance, stoop, kneel and crouch and standing or walking continuously. Must be able to manipulate equipment using both hands. Perceive attributes of objects such as size and shape using fingers and hands. Many repetitive motions are required, including wrist rotations, stoops, body turns, reaching overhead and lifts.

Risk Potential

Frequent exposure to hazards such as dust, fumes, or extreme temperatures, airborne or blood borne pathogens, extreme temperatures, or allergens. Possibility of exposure to bites, scratches and zoonotic diseases. May be required to work in areas where biohazards or radioactive substances are used.

Sensory Acuity

Ability to detect and translate speech or other communication required. May occasionally require the ability to distinguish colors and perceive relative distances between objects. Must have sufficient visual acuity to perform activities such as repeated close visual inspection involving observing small defects and objects, minor physical changes in animals, viewing a computer terminal, extensive reading, and operation of machinery.

Work Environment

Occasional exposure to dust, noise, temperature changes, or contact with water or other liquids. Exposure to animal wastes, chemicals, acids, odors, loud noises, heat, humidity and wet surfaces is to be expected. Work is performed in an environmentally controlled environment.

Why MCW?

• Outstanding Healthcare Coverage, including but not limited to Health, Vison, and Dental. Along with Flexible Spending options
• 403B Retirement Package
• Competitive Vacation and Paid Holidays offered
• Tuition Reimbursement
• On campus Fitness Facility, offering onsite classes.
• Additional discounted rates on things as: Select cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation and entertainment etc.

For a full list of positions see:

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

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MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

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