Animal Care Technician

Position Summary:

The part-time Animal Care Technician position will provide specialized care, health monitoring, and technical research support for laboratory mice under the direction of research veterinarian and animal research facility manager. This role will support funded research projects and work under the guidelines determined by OLAW. Furthermore, this role directly strengthens future extramural grant proposals involving animal research, positioning ACPHS faculty to competitively secure innovative research funding. The Animal Care Technician will report to the Director of Office of Research Compliance and Safety.

Major Duties & Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with ARF manager for any facility issues including animal ordering and receiving, preparing animal housing for acclimatization, following rules and SOP’s, and keeping detailed records.
• Provide food, water, and basic husbandry care for animals including mice and rats and rotate feed and water to ensure freshness and adequate nutrition under the supervision of the attending veterinarian.
• Monitor animals daily, including weekends and holidays, and record the clinical disposition of the animals including any health abnormalities or illnesses.
• Clean and sanitize cages according to prescribed standards including changing bedding, and autoclaving.
• Maintain cage cards, animal histories, and other records as required.
• Assist researchers and students with procedures like euthanasia as well as following and refining protocols in working with animals in the facility.
• Practice safety, environmental, and/or infection control methods.
• Assist veterinarian and IACUC during all inspection and investigations, as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of mouse life cycle and basic biology
• Deep knowledge of "barrier facility" concepts, sterilization methods (autoclaving), and micro-isolation cage systems; experience sanitizing rooms and equipment
• Familiarity with federal regulations governing laboratory animal welfare (OLAW), including The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and Public Health Service (PHS) policy.
• Proficient in recognizing clinical signs of illness unique to mice (such as hunched posture, scruffy coat, lethargy, or porphyria) to ensure ethical endpoints.
• Skilled in humane restraining and handling mice and basic animal research procedures.
• Proficiency using specialized vivarium management and documentation.
• Ability to notice signs of pain and distress in mice and attention to details.
• Mastery of aseptic technique and strict Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protocols.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work independently.

Education and Experience: 

• Minimum high school diploma or equivalent.
• Approximately two years of relevant animal care experience, preferably with laboratory mice. Willingness to receive additional training provided by by ACPHS.
• Experience working in an ABSL-2 environment and be familiar with the associated training and safety protocols.

• Preferred: American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-accredited associate’s in Vet Tech OR a bachelor’s in biology/animal science with 3 years’ experience working in an animal research facility.
• Preferred: State Vet Tech License (RVT/LVT) with active AALAS Certification (LAT or LATG).

Physical Demands:

Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, bend, squat, reach overhead, and perform repetitive tasks such as lifting feed bags and cage racks up to 40 pounds, and work comfortably in a warm, humid cage-wash environment.

Work Environment:

Work is performed inside a highly regulated, secure, and bio-secure vivarium. Employees must strictly adhere to cleanroom contamination controls, wearing specific footwear, and donning extensive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks, hairnets, gowns, face shields, and double gloves.

Additional Information: 

This part-time position is based in Albany, NY. The duties and responsibilities of this role require all work to be performed on-site. The Animal Care Technician will provide approximately 3–4 hours of animal care services per week, scheduled across multiple short visits. When the Animal Care Technician is unavailable, the ARF Manager will provide coverage as needed. Additional details pertaining to this position will be discussed during the interview process.

Benefits:

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental and vision benefits, free life insurance and disability programs, tuition assistance programs, retirement plan with employer match and contribution, and generous time off including 20 paid holidays plus paid sick and vacation time. Additional perks include wellness rewards, free gym access, free parking, identity theft protection and many others. Please note, benefits and benefits eligibility can vary by position, and exclusions may apply for some roles.

ACPHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any protected class of job applicant or employee in our hiring and employment practices.