The duties and responsibilities contained in the job description are intended to be examples of the accountabilities for which the person in the position will demonstrate competency through performance. The job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Duties and responsibilities are subject to change and other duties may be assigned as necessary.

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute is dedicated to recruiting the best scientists across various disciplines, including cancer biology, neurobiology, immunobiology, and biology of development, regeneration, and aging. Leveraging the Prebys Center, the Institute’s unique state-of-the-art drug discovery and chemical biology center with a wealth of in-house data, we emphasize translating our basic research findings towards improving interventions against human diseases.

Under direct supervision from the Animal Facility Manager, and sometimes with instruction from the Lead Husbandry Technician, the Husbandry Tech I will be responsible for both cage washroom and husbandry activities related to the care of laboratory research mice.

This position involves a range of tasks and functions that are typically essential to continue critical vivarium operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

All tasks are performed according to institute and industry SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)

Cage Washroom Duties ~70%

• Washes and refills water bottles; operates the automatic bottle filler machine

• Removes and disposes of soiled bedding in used rodent cages

• Washes rodent cages and related caging accessories

• Operates the tunnel washer and rack washer machines

• Organizes the cleaned caging and accessories

• Prepares caging for autoclaving and operates the steam autoclave

• Operates the bedding dispenser and adds nesting material to bedding filled cages

• Performs housekeeping duties within each side of the cage washrooms including cleaning cage washing machines

• Performs other cleaning duties in vivarium support areas such as mopping floors, cleaning windows and counters

• Restocks supplies as needed in cage washrooms and support areas

• Handles BSL-2 (Biosafety Level – 2) waste disposal (e.g., animal waste)

• Participates in required EH&S and department training courses

• Performs euthanasia

• Cleans and maintains assigned animal rooms, surrounding support areas and procedure labs

• Prepares cleaning solutions and labels stock solutions with preparation date

• Receives and rotates animal feed and bedding; label feed with mill, open and expiration dates

Husbandry Duties ~30%

• Checks cages daily for adequate food and water and replenish as needed

• Changes cages following the 10-day cage change cycle

• Checks cage cards for accuracy of information and correct information as needed

• Maintains animal room activity logs and husbandry records

• Maintains changing hoods, ventilated animal housing racks and related work equipment

• Performs daily animal health checks and reports observed health conditions to Laboratory Animal Technicians (LATs)

• Restocks room supplies and maintains common use storage and procedure support areas

Education and/or Experience

• High School diploma or G.E.D.

Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities:

• Ability to pass post-employment physical as required by OLAW (Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare)

• Ability to work in environment which contains animal dander and dust particles

• Ability to perform repetitive motions with arms, wrists and hands; regular bending and lifting, sitting and standing on hard floor surfaces and pushing and pulling of carts loaded with caging and accessories

• Ability to lift and stack feed and bedding bags up to 40 pounds

• Must wear institute supplied scrubs, face mask, shoe covers and hair bonnet as well as other task-related personnel protective equipment including face shield or goggles, heat resistant autoclave gloves, nitrile or chemical resistant gloves, apron, and back support belt

• Ability to work one of the defined work schedules: 6:30-3:00 or 7:00-3:30 Monday through Friday

• Work independently as well as in a team environment

• Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills

• Possess good time management and organizational skills

• Adhere to department and institute safety and occupational health policies and procedures while demonstrating competency in safety protocols

• Maintain compliance with all training requirements

• Professional proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, and LabTracks

Supervisory Responsibilities:

No, this position does not have any formal supervisory responsibilities

Compensation:

The expected compensation for this position is between $19 - $21/hour commensurate with experience.

Sanford Burnham Prebys celebrates the rich diversity of our scientists, students and staff, who hail from more than 30 countries. Our diverse and inclusive environment catalyzes innovation and fuels discovery, enhancing the value and impact of our research.

We welcome talented individuals of all backgrounds regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

If you need an accommodation seeking employment with Sanford Burnham Prebys, please email accommodations@sbpdiscovery.org. Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.