Careers

JOB TITLE:      Assistant Project Manager

SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Operations Manager and Project Manager, the Assistant Project Manager supports effective administration of the NIH/NIEHS contract and provides oversight to Priority One Services employees assigned to the Breeding and Cagewash areas. The position is accountable for daily operations, staffing, issue resolution, contractual documentation, budgets, reports, employee performance, and coordination with the training department. The Assistant Project Manager maintains a professional business appearance and demeanor while performing or attending business functions.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:

Work assignments are based on contract requirements and may include the following duties:

• Provide competent and appropriate direction and oversight to all positions supporting the contract.
• Organize and manage the Breeding and Cagewash areas.
• Plan and allocate staff resources to ensure coverage of all required tasks.
• Monitor overtime, adjust staffing when appropriate, and report overtime to the government.
• Apply operational and facility-management knowledge to support daily activities in AAALAC International-accredited facilities.
• Coordinate training needs with frontline supervisors and the training department, including required health and safety training, and document employee progress and performance deficiencies.
• Create and maintain reports, forms, budgets, and communications using Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and other applicable software.
• Serve as a liaison and communicate with the Contracting Officer’s Representative, Program Manager, supervisors, compliance assurance personnel, veterinarians, and research staff.
• Develop action plans to manage contract tasks, provide supervisors with the resources needed to perform their duties, and submit required documentation in accordance with task-specific requirements.
• Provide administrative and human resources support related to employee relations and workforce administration.
• Develop, organize, and maintain disaster preparedness documentation and emergency procedures for government closures.
• Set, adjust, communicate, and monitor performance goals and standards for Priority One Services employees.
• Apply effective recruiting and retention methods to support workforce stability.
• Assist, when requested, with experimental planning, logistics, and project scheduling.
• Demonstrate effective leadership, team building, and management skills through professional communication, counseling, conflict resolution, and personal example.
• Conduct Quality Assurance inspections.
• Maintain awareness of each department’s strengths and technical capabilities and identify areas requiring additional training or expertise to broaden available support services.
• Maintain a current knowledge of existing and proposed laws, regulations, and guidelines affecting the care and use of animals.
• Maintain broad knowledge and competence in rodent breeding, cagewash operations, laboratory animal husbandry, technical procedures, and facility management.
• Ensure personnel understand and comply with facility and NIEHS SOPs; NIH policies; applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations; and safety, security, and confidentiality requirements.
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned by the Program Manager or contract management.

SUPERVISES:

1. Priority One Services employees.

RELATIONSHIPS

A.         Internal:                        

1. Supervisors     
2. Contract Management Team

B.         External:

1. Principal Investigators

2. Client Facility Managers

3. Task Project Officer(s)

4. Veterinary staff

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

1. A bachelor’s degree in biology or animal science is preferred. Relevant formal education may be substituted for experience in accordance with contract requirements.
2. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification at the Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) level is required, along with at least four years of experience in a rodent facility, including at least two years in a supervisory capacity.
3. Training in microbiology, biology, animal husbandry, and rodent breeding is required.
4. Familiarity with AAALAC International accreditation requirements and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
5. Ability to manage and supervise employees across multiple labor categories.
6. Working knowledge of eSirius or a comparable electronic facility management system and proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
7. Professional command of written and spoken English.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to lift 50 pounds 

Lifting                                                   Sometimes

Bending                                                Sometimes

Walking                                                Most of the time

Standing                                               Most of the time

Stooping                                              Sometimes

Kneeling                                               Sometimes

Sitting                                                   Sometimes

PRIORITY ONE SERVICES, INC.

BLDG 49 ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN II

Summary

The Animal Health Technician II will provide surgical, technical, and clinical support services under the direction of the Senior Animal Health Team Leader or respective Animal Health Technician III. They must demonstrate a working knowledge of veterinary science and technology (e.g., first aid response, pharmacy and pharmacology, treatment, and examination) as well as technical experience and competency in surgical nursing, preparation and assisting, anesthesiology, nursing, laboratory procedures and radiology Experience should be related to the species housed in the Building 49 CAF.  Animal Health Technician II will assist the Animal Health Leaders in providing all animal health services.

Requirements

Preferred personnel be certified by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) as a Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG). Qualifications as a Licensed Veterinary Technician, Military Animal Care Specialist (91T), or degrees in veterinary medicine/science will be considered but individuals will be eligible to obtain certification at the LATG level within 2-4 years. Work experience must include four years’ experience in laboratory animal facilities.  Experience must be related to the species housed in the Building 49 CAF (e.g., Rodents, Rabbits, 13-lined Ground Squirrels, Zebrafish, Sand Rats, Swine, and Non-Human Primates). Formal education shall include a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent with working knowledge computers and associated software (e.g., WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Electronic Mail).

Duties

• Adhere to established Bldg 49 Standard Operating Procedures.
• Work tactfully and effectively with Co-Workers and Laboratory Staff.
• Routine animal health surveillance and/or assessment of sick animals.
• Routine veterinary care/support and treatments as prescribed by the Veterinary Staff.
• Maintains permanent animal health records and reports.
• Diagnostic support to include sample collection and preparation (e.g., blood, serum, tissue, etc.), fecal analysis, hematology, blood chemistry, urinalysis, radiology, and dental prophylaxis.
• Work under ABS Level I and II conditions.
• Anesthesia support to include induction, maintenance, and recovery of animals.
• Surgical support to include instrument preparation and sterilization, animal preparation, sterile and non-sterile scrub assistants for the support of aseptic surgeries.
• Environmental enrichment activities.
• Sanitation of surgical rooms and support areas.
• Radiation monitoring of posted rooms and/or areas within the CAF.
• Routine preventive maintenance of all surgical support equipment (e.g., intensive care units, anesthesia machines, etc.).
• Perform technical procedures including but not limited to routine injections, blood collection, tumor observations, weighing of animals, and implantation of subcutaneous transponders.
• Pre-procedural food and/or water restriction of animals.
• Routine serology screening for rodent surveillance and quarantine rooms.
• Identify and report potential problem areas with personnel, equipment, or facilities.
• Operate a computer to enter animal related data. Use of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Food/waterlogs- email out an issues/follow up.
• Perform Rabbit PE/weights (bi-monthly)
• Perform Ground squirrel physicals (monthly)
• Perform Swine physicals (monthly)
• Assist Animal Health Team Leaders in meeting contractual obligations and deliverables.
• Other duties as assigned.

Hours:  Basic workweek of forty (40) hours per week with the start and the end of the workday dependent on the contract requirements of the workplace.  Hours dictated by the institutional research schedule, weekend and holiday work maybe required. Must be reliable in attendance to ensure animals receive appropriate level of care. Potential for call-in to assist facility or animal health related emergencies. Potential to provide weekend coverage if there is short staffing and unable to find replacements. 

Physical Requirements:

Activity	Not Applicable	Occasionally	Often
Climbing		X
Stooping			X
Kneeling			X
Reaching			X
Standing			X
Sitting		X
Walking			X
Pushing		X
Pulling		X
Talking			X
Hearing			X

Lifting/Moving Requirements:

Light work; lifting to 50 pounds occasionally; repetitive lifting/manipulation of up to 10 pounds, applying up to 10 pounds constantly to move/roll objects.

Environmental Conditions:

Customarily performs animal care, research management and administration duties in an environmentally controlled work area.  However, technical and management duties may be performed in an animal care vivarium, barrier facility, surgical or test procedure laboratory, animal housing/bedding cleaning and processing areas. Work may require use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in these facilities.  Laboratory environment and/or animal care work areas may be prone to hot and humid conditions, and subject to objectionable odors, aerosols, dust, animal dander, and noise. 

JOB SUMMARY:
The Clinical Veterinarian provides veterinary support to Division of Veterinary Resources laboratory animal programs consistent with DVR guidelines. The primary responsibility shall be the provision of veterinary medical and surgical care for non-human primates (NHP) and rodents. Participation in the veterinary medical care program for other various animal species is included as a smaller component of the duties of the position. Clinical Veterinarian responsibilities include providing daily clinical care and treatment of the laboratory animals; participation in emergency call schedule and after-hours veterinary care, ICU night, weekend, and holiday coverage with other veterinarians as required.  All services must be provided in accordance with all applicable regulations.

 
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

1. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree or equivalent required.
2. Must have a license to practice veterinary medicine in at least one (1) state.
3. Minimum three (3) years’ experience required in clinical laboratory animal medicine which must include non-human primates (NHPs).
4. Completion of a residency program in laboratory animal medicine and certification as a Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) is preferred.
5. Experience with IACUC activities and research protocol review/approval process, and/or consultant service to the IACUC.
6. Must have knowledge of laboratory animal technician duties and training.
7. Must possess excellent knowledge of Federal, State, and local regulations governing Animal Care.
8. Must be a legal resident of the United States.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

1. Demonstrated record of work experience within an animal care facility, or within the field of laboratory animal science.
2. Demonstrated record of successful development, implementation and maintenance of training programs.
3. Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks in an organized manner with minimal supervision.
4. Good communication and interpersonal skills.
5. Working knowledge of Microsoft’s Office (Word, Excel, etc.) required.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Essential Duties:

• Oversees all aspects of research animal colony health, including health surveillance and medical management of NHPs and rodents.
  • Provides diagnostic support and treatment of sick or injured animals.Assists in the development and implementation of research protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Provides technical oversight of NHP & Rodent animal care technician personnel to assure SOP training, safety, and facility regulatory compliance.

• Provides training and instruction on techniques associated with research NHP & Rodent use for animal care technicians and the DVR investigators and research staff.
  • Acts as a coordinator of animal care projects.  Directs project management meetings to ensure protocol requirements are being met by discussing current SOPs, the development of new SOPs, SOP training, any additional training needs encompassing emergency procedures for the treatment of injuries to personnel and animals in the NHP area.  Ensures that all animal care areas represent a well-documented and consistently implemented training process for all work groups.
  • Assists during experiment start-up meetings between contract personnel and the DVR Principal Investigators (PIs), Study Directors, Program Directors and other members of the investigator team to improve customer service and increase communication efforts with fellow scientists.
  • Shall have demonstrated ability to interact effectively with PIs, Study Directors and investigator team(s) to achieve goals set forth within approved research protocols involving animal care, developing department master schedules and study-specific schedules, diet, dosing, and standard observational and technical procedures and accurate reporting of such data.
  • Be familiar with active experimental protocols and future studies in the research pipeline to aide DVR and Priority One Services, Inc. with assuring PI and Study Director experimental parameters are met.

JOB TITLE: Veterinary Technician II - NHP, FDA White Oak Animal Program

Summary:

The Veterinary Technician shall be at the minimum certified at the AALAS LAT level at the time of employment and be LATG within the first year of employment. The Veterinary Technician shall provide veterinary care, animal protocol support, and treatments for non-human primates and other laboratory animals.  Representative examples of technical procedures include daily observations of  identified animals with abnormal health conditions or study related conditions, injections (intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intravenous), intravenous collection of blood and medical treatments as prescribed by the veterinarian and surgery support. Shall write up animal observation record sheets for health issues and notify researchers of these issues along with a treatment plan. Shall follow up on health issues with animal care staff and researchers, document and file all findings.

Employee must have a minimum of high school diploma or equivalent with at least 3yrs experience working in a Veterinary Clinic or equivalent profession. Certification through the American Association of Laboratory Sciences at the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) is required.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE:

• High School diploma required
• AALAS LAT certification required
• Literate in written and spoken English
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in an animal facility or previous skills working in a Veterinary Clinic.
• Knowledgeable in PC applications including word documents and spreadsheets

DUTIES:

• Communicate with the Attending Veterinarian and Researchers to better care for animals and provide services to the customers.
• Coordinate support schedules with Researchers and the Project Manager.
• Provide care to research animals, performing health observations, and providing veterinary care as directed, reporting problems/abnormalities to the Attending Veterinarian.
• Assisting with surgery support including pre and post-surgery monitoring, anesthesia monitoring and vitals documentation.
• Administer drugs or treatments to animals, as directed, including the calculation of dosage, and recording of drug use in Controlled Drug logs or animal clinical records.
• Assist researchers or their staff by restraining/positioning animals for examination or treatment and providing animal handling training as requested..
• Ensure that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are appropriate for the continued maintenance of AAALACi accreditation of the FDA animal facility and according to Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs).
• Assist, when requested, in experimental planning and logistics/scheduling requirements.
• Ensure all safety requirements are met.
• Identify and report potential problem areas related to animal use, care, or health, or problems with facilities or equipment which might be hazard to animals or personnel.
• Ensure that records, log book, and other clinical and project records are appropriately and contemporaneously maintained.
• Compliance with the QA/QC program.
• Maintain a current knowledge of existing and proposed laws, regulations, and guidelines affecting the care and use of animals at the FDA.
• Maintain a broad general knowledge and competence in lab animal science husbandry, technical procedures, and facility management.
• Assist/perform blood collection or other technical/veterinary procedures.

POSITION TITLE: Animal Care Technician

LOCATION: NIH/6B Animal Facility

SUPERVISOR: Floor Supervisor

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Floor Supervisor the Animal Care Technician shall have demonstrated knowledge and skill in handling animals, especially rodents. They shall be able to recognize the appearance of abnormal animals and be able to maintain a clean environment for all animals. In addition, this person will also be responsible for assisting investigators, keeping appropriate records, and providing supplies when requested. The Animal Care Technician shall maintain accurate room logs and maintain the cleanliness of the facility.

*All employees are expected to perform their duties as assigned, arrive to work at 7:00am and depart at 3:30pm M-F. You will be required to work on the weekends as scheduled. The weekend/ holiday hours are from 7am to 3:30pm (no more than 8 hours per day). In addition you may be expected to work extra hours during an emergency situation or if any unexpected situation arise until work is completed

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have a High School Diploma or GED.
• Must have AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician certification or one year’ experience in a laboratory animal facility, animal hospital, zoo, or related animal field. All Animal Care Technician’s shall train and become ALAT certified within one year of employment.
• Candidates must possess an excellent command of the English language both written and verbal in order to effectively communicate with investigators and other staff members daily.

:

:

• Provide animal care and husbandry services, including but not limited to: feeding and watering animals; handling and restraint of animals, cage and bedding changeouts; cleaning and sanitizing animal rooms, hallways, ancillary equipment; monitoring environmental parameters as required; assessing the presence of vermin and effectiveness of control efforts; performing animal health checks; assisting in the local delivery and transport of animals; assisting in the inspection ad storage of feed and bedding materials; performing minor equipment and facility maintenance.
• Observe and report any abnormalities in animals, equipment, or facilities to the floor supervisor or the Project Manager.
• Perform husbandry, restraint, and environmental monitoring tasks in accordance with established NIH SOPs
• Ensure that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are appropriate for the continued maintenance of AAALACi accreditation of the NIH facilities.
• Adhere to security procedures and confidentiality requirements.
• Assist, when requested, in experimental planning and logistics and scheduling of projects.
• Participate in the ongoing employee training program, with special emphasis on safety and health training, safe work practices, and use of personal protective equipment.
• Perform job tasks and duties in compliance with NIH “Guide”, facility policies, regulations, safety, and security procedures.
• Perform work in compliance with applicable safety requirements.
• Adhere to equipment sanitation and sterilization schedules.
• Ensure that records, logbooks and other project records are appropriately and contemporaneously maintained.
• Comply with the QA/QC program.
• Recommend changes in operational procedures that might increase the efficiency or effectiveness of work procedures or practices.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Lifting/Moving Requirements – up to 50 pounds. Must be able to push, pull, climb, stoop, kneel, bend, reach, walk, sit, and stand for prolong periods.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Animal care and technical duties will be performed mainly indoors in an animal care vivarium, barrier facility, surgical or test procedure laboratory facility, or animal housing/bedding cleaning and processing areas. Work may require use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in these facilities. Laboratory environment and/or animal care work areas may be prone to hot and humid conditions, and subject to objectionable odors, aerosols, dust, animal dander, and noise.

POSITION TITLE: Animal Care Technicians

SUPERVISOR: Large Animal Team Leader

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Large Animal Team Leader the NHP Animal Care Technician shall have demonstrated knowledge and skill in handling animals, especially NHP's. The Large Animal Care Technician will have experience with Non-human Primates. They shall be able to recognize the appearance of abnormal animals and be able to maintain a clean environment for all animals. In addition, this person will also be responsible for assisting investigators, keeping appropriate records, and providing supplies when requested. The Animal Care Technician shall maintain accurate room logs and maintain the cleanliness of the facility.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have a High School Diploma or GED.
• Must have AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician certification or one year’ experience in a laboratory animal facility, animal hospital, zoo, or related animal field. All Animal Care Technician’s shall train and become ALAT certified within one year of employment.
• Candidates must possess an excellent command of the English language both written and verbal in order to effectively communicate with investigators and other staff members daily.

RESPONSIBLITIES AND DUTIES:

Essential Duties:

• Provide animal care and husbandry services, including but not limited to: feeding and watering animals; handling and restraint of animals, cage and bedding changeouts; cleaning and sanitizing animal rooms, hallways, ancillary equipment; monitoring environmental parameters as required; assessing the presence of vermin and effectiveness of control efforts; performing animal health checks; assisting in the local delivery and transport of animals; assisting in the inspection ad storage of feed and bedding materials; performing minor equipment and facility maintenance.
• Observe and report any abnormalities in animals, equipment, or facilities to the floor supervisor or the Project Manager.
• Perform husbandry, restraint, and environmental monitoring tasks in accordance with established NIH SOPs
• Ensure that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are appropriate for the continued maintenance of AAALACi accreditation of the NIH facilities.
• Adhere to security procedures and confidentiality requirements.
• Assist, when requested, in experimental planning and logistics and scheduling of projects.
• Participate in the ongoing employee training program, with special emphasis on safety and health training, safe work practices, and use of personal protective equipment.
• Perform job tasks and duties in compliance with NIH “Guide”, facility policies, regulations, safety, and security procedures.
• Perform work in compliance with applicable safety requirements.
• Adhere to equipment sanitation and sterilization schedules.
• Ensure that records, logbooks and other project records are appropriately and contemporaneously maintained.
• Comply with the QA/QC program.
• Recommend changes in operational procedures that might increase the efficiency or effectiveness of work procedures or practices.

POSITION TITLE:              Cagewash Technician          

LOCATION:                         NEI Cagewash Technician, Bethesda, MD

SUPERVISOR:                     Priority One Management

Summary

Under the direction of the Manager/Supervisor the Cagewash Technicians shall have the physical strength and dexterity to handle cages, racks, pans, feed bags, carts, dollies, and other equipment and be able to maintain a clean environment. 

Requirements

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
• Must have some knowledge of the following equipment: autoclaves, automated cage washing machines conveyors, bedding disposal, bottle fillers, and rack flush station, etc.
• Must be able to work with various cleaning and sanitizing chemicals.
• Literate in written and spoken English.
• Must be willing and able to sit and pass the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) level after one year of employment.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to cooperate with co-workers and function productively with others in accomplishing assigned tasks.
• Ability to function in a customer-client atmosphere, i.e., assists the company in providing positive responses to customer needs and delivery of quality services to the customer.
• Ability to follow through on instructions.

Duties:

Work Assignments are based on work requirements to meet the contract needs, which may include the following duties:

• Clean, sanitize, or sterilize caging or equipment utilizing automated cagewash machines, autoclaves, bottle fillers, and bedding dump stations.
• Dispose of waste in compliance with university and federal/state regulations.
• Minor/preventative maintenance of caging and equipment.
• Movement/delivery of feed/bedding sacks, cages, racks, pans, carts, dollies, and other equipment.
• Assure that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are appropriate for the establishment and continued maintenance of AAALAC accreditation.
• Adhere to security procedures and confidentiality requirements.
• Ensure performance of activities in adherence with established SOPs.
• Participate in the ongoing employee training program, with special emphasis on safety and health training, safe work practices, and use of personal protective equipment.
• Perform job tasks/duties in compliance with university policies, regulations, safety, and security procedures.
• Perform equipment calibration and Quality Assurance (QA) as directed.
• Compliance with the QA/Quality Control (QC) program.
• Be at assigned work station by prescribed start time.
• Operate Rack washer according to SOP as directed.
• Operate Tunnel washer according to SOP as directed.
• Fill water bottles and build cages according to SOP as directed.
• Clean and sanitize cage wash and support areas as needed during the day, and at the end of day.
• Perform work in compliance with applicable safety requirements, (proper PPE, hearing protection).
• Adherence to equipment sanitation and sterilization schedules (preventive maintenance, chlorine and pH test).
• Assure that records, log books, and other project records are appropriately maintained.
• Observe and report any problems with equipment or the facilities to your supervisor.
• Perform sterilization and environmental monitoring tasks in accordance with        established SOPs.
• Complete all required sanitation logs and checklists.
• Any other duties or task delegated by the contract or university management.

Hours:  Basic work-week of forty (40) hours per week with the start and the end of the workday dependent on the contract requirements of the workplace.  Hours are relatively inflexible and are dictated by the institutional research schedule.  Relatively weekend and holiday work is required. Must be reliable in attendance to ensure animals receive appropriate level of care. Potential for call-in to assist facility or animal health related emergencies.

Physical Requirements:

Activity	Not Applicable	Occasionally	Often
Climbing		X
Stooping			X
Kneeling			X
Reaching			X
Standing			X
Sitting	X
Walking			X
Pushing			X
Pulling			X
Talking			X
Hearing			X

Lifting/Moving Requirements:

Heavy work; lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally; repetitive lifting/manipulation of up to 30 pounds, applying up to 30 pounds constantly to move/roll objects.

Environmental Conditions:

Customarily performs animal care, research management and administration duties in an environmentally controlled work area.  However, technical and management duties may be performed in an animal care vivarium, barrier facility, surgical or test procedure laboratory, animal housing/bedding cleaning and processing areas. Work may require use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in these facilities.  Laboratory environment and/or animal care work areas may be prone to hot and humid conditions, and subject to objectionable odors, aerosols, dust, animal dander, and noise. 

JOB TITLE: Administrative Support Specialist III

Summary:

Under the direction of  Contract Program Management, Project Managers, and government personnel the Administrative Support Specialist III shall primarily perform administrative duties and procurement for research animal facilities. While performing these duties, the employee will primarily be working with a computer and typing; will infrequently be exposed to laboratory animals, specifically rodents. Must be comfortable working in an environment where laboratory animals are housed and interacting with researchers, government personnel and contract managers .

Requirements:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required, and four years of experience working in administrative support required.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Outlook, word processing, and database record keeping required; Microsoft Suite, i.e., Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to learn and use specific administrative software unique to NIH (POTS, NEDS, DVMAX, etc.).
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision; ability to multitask and possess excellent organizational skills.
• Comprehension of medical terminology helpful.
• Be able to effectively and constructively interact with a wide variety of people both inside and outside the NIH.
• Must be able to follow verbal and written instructions and exhibit interpersonal skills that are conducive to effective communication and that contribute to a congenial work environment.

The duties for the Administrative Support Specialist III will include:

• Generate reports, memos, and spreadsheets within strict deadlines, using various types of software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Utilize and maintain facility-specific software and maintain census data, responding to animal order questions and other pertinent information, as well as generating cage cards; updating animal numbers available per protocol, and ensuring Animal Study Protocols (ASPs) are up to date.
• Answer phones, file, and distribute correspondence as necessary.
• Coordinate activation/deactivation of contract personnel through NIH Enterprise Directory (NED).
• Schedule travel arrangements for government personnel in the GCE travel system.
• Maintain office coverage and request coverage when away from your desk.
• Monitor facility entrance door and assist visitors. Sign in visitors and verify foot pattern within the vivarium.
• Assisting all researchers, clients, and associates with their inquiries and requests.
• Perform the duties of the campus shipping coordinator – Import and Export.
• Schedule all on-campus shipping deliveries to other facilities.
• Prepare all facility and supply ordering requests, filing, and receiving. (NIH Business System) POTS System for writing justification for orders
• Working with various vendors on retiring quotes for PPE, Animal enrichment orders, and other laboratory supplies.
• Manage researcher animal orders through the Centralized Animal Procurement System (CAPS).
• Receive live animals from vendors, prepare cage cards, and alert supervisory staff of arrival.
• Office assistance with filing records, making signs, cards, and lamination.
• Position is subject to additional duties assigned by Contract Management and government personnel.

Laboratory Animal Resources/Research Resources - Rodent Animal Care Technician
(Animal Technician II)
Work Hours:6:00 AM to 2:30 PM from Monday through Friday and supervisor scheduled weekends/holidays/weather emergencies/university closings.

Summary:
The Laboratory Animal Resource (LAR) group at Princeton University is a centralized administrative department reporting to the Dean for Research and is responsible for animal and veterinary care of all research animals at Princeton University. The Animal Technician for the Life Sciences Complex provides state-of-the art animal care for laboratory animals housed within these facilities. He/she receives direction from the LAR Facility Manager. The primary responsibility is to provide animal care to the various laboratory species (rodents, aquatics, and USDA-covered species), the majority will be in the care of rodents. The Animal Technician ensures the cleanliness of the facility and the maintenance of adequate supplies of food and bedding materials, including PPE. The Animal Technician will work together with other technicians according to a schedule prepared by the LAR Manager and must be willing and able to rotate through all LAR facilities. The Animal Technician pursues and improves methods of animal husbandry and resource utilization. He/she ensures the highest quality of laboratory animal care and research support, and has good communication skills with co-workers, the LAR management team, PI’s, research staff, students, facility maintenance crews and other support services. This position reports directly to the Facility Manager.
Animal Husbandry:

• Animal Technicians are considered essential services staff. Essential service staff performs jobs that are necessary and required to maintain basic University operations during scheduled or unscheduled work closures due to emergencies, events or other situations.
• Provides animal care for all species housed according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including giving food and water to the animals, changing cages, sanitizing all supplies (cages, water bottles, food bins and other animal care related equipment), maintaining clean animal rooms, procedure rooms, hallways and other support areas, and keeping records related to animal care.
• Completes work in a timely fashion and according to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and follows other written and verbal instructions as needed.
• Monitors animal health and welfare daily and reports sick and dead animals to the responsible researcher and Veterinary Services. Provides treatments to laboratory animals as prescribed by researchers and/or Veterinary Services.
• Monitors, documents and reports deviations of normal, species-specific and environmental parameters such room temperature, humidity, lights and air quality.
• Provides innovative and species-specific environmental enrichment of laboratory animals under the direction of Veterinary Services and according to research needs.
• Conduct AM and PM animal health observations.
• Operates cage washing machinery, ventilated caging, Edstrom watering system, bedding dispensing units, full size to table top autoclaves and other animal care equipment typical of animal care operations while following safety procedures.
• Assists with transgenic rodent breeding colony management. Demonstrates ability to perform tissue sample collection, set up mating pairs, wean animals, and track data in various software applications.
• Discovers and reports any facility maintenance issues to the Lead Animal Technician and Facility Manager.

POSITION TITLE: Cagewash Technician I

LOCATION: Cagewash Technician, Durham, NC

SUPERVISOR: Cagewash Supervisor

Summary

Under the direction of the Manager/Supervisor the Cagewash Technicians shall have the physical strength and dexterity to handle cages, racks, pans, feed bags, carts, dollies, and other equipment and be able to maintain a clean environment.
Requirements

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
• Must have some knowledge of the following equipment: autoclaves, automated cage washing machines conveyors, bedding disposal, bottle fillers, and rack flush station, etc.
• Must be able to work with various cleaning and sanitizing chemicals.
• Literate in written and spoken English.
• Must be willing and able to sit and pass the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) level after one year of employment.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to cooperate with co-workers and function productively with others in accomplishing assigned tasks.
• Ability to function in a customer-client atmosphere, i.e., assists the company in providing positive responses to customer needs and delivery of quality services to the customer.
• Ability to follow through on instructions.

Duties:

Work Assignments are based on work requirements to meet the contract needs, which may include the following duties:

• Clean, sanitize, or sterilize caging or equipment utilizing automated cagewash machines, autoclaves, bottle fillers, and bedding dump stations.
• Dispose of waste in compliance with university and federal/state regulations.
• Minor/preventative maintenance of caging and equipment.
• Movement/delivery of feed/bedding sacks, cages, racks, pans, carts, dollies, and other equipment.
• Assure that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are appropriate for the establishment and continued maintenance of AAALAC accreditation.
• Adhere to security procedures and confidentiality requirements.
• Ensure performance of activities in adherence with established SOPs.
• Participate in the ongoing employee training program, with special emphasis on safety and health training, safe work practices, and use of personal protective equipment.
• Perform job tasks/duties in compliance with university policies, regulations, safety, and security procedures.
• Perform equipment calibration and Quality Assurance (QA) as directed.
• Compliance with the QA/Quality Control (QC) program.
• Be at assigned work station by prescribed start time.
• Operate Rack washer according to SOP as directed.
• Operate Tunnel washer according to SOP as directed.
• Fill water bottles and build cages according to SOP as directed.
• Clean and sanitize cage wash and support areas as needed during the day, and at the end of day.
• Perform work in compliance with applicable safety requirements, (proper PPE, hearing protection).
• Adherence to equipment sanitation and sterilization schedules (preventive maintenance, chlorine and pH test).
• Assure that records, log books, and other project records are appropriately maintained.
• Observe and report any problems with equipment or the facilities to your supervisor.
• Perform sterilization and environmental monitoring tasks in accordance with established SOPs.
• Complete all required sanitation logs and checklists.
• Any other duties or task delegated by the contract or government management.

Hours: Basic work-week of forty (40) hours per week with the start and the end of the workday dependent on the contract requirements of the workplace. Hours are relatively inflexible and are dictated by the institutional research schedule. Relatively weekend and holiday work is required. Must be reliable in attendance to ensure animals receive appropriate level of care. Potential for call-in to assist facility or animal health related emergencies.

Lifting/Moving Requirements:

Heavy work; lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally; repetitive lifting/manipulation of up to 30 pounds, applying up to 30 pounds constantly to move/roll objects.

Environmental Conditions:

Customarily performs animal care, research management and administration duties in an environmentally controlled work area. However, technical and management duties may be performed in an animal care vivarium, barrier facility, surgical or test procedure laboratory, animal housing/bedding cleaning and processing areas. Work may require use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in these facilities. Laboratory environment and/or animal care work areas may be prone to hot and humid conditions, and subject to objectionable odors, aerosols, dust, animal dander, and noise.

*Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination is required for all Priority One positions.

Candidate must have a high school diploma or GED and must have at least two years experience working with animals in a laboratory animal facility.  A diploma in a related science field or equivalent is desired. AALAS certification is preferred and laboratory animal experience is required. Salary will be commensurate with experience and AALAS certification level. Preferred skills include experience with:  animal care and husbandry, cagewash procedures, minor technical procedures, multiple species a plus, and recording keeping. “Applicant may be required  to travel to different facilities in Maryland basically; Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park and Laurel" Applicant must be reliable, able to work independently, and interact professionally with the research staff. Applicant must be flexible and learn quickly; be able to stand for prolong periods, bend, reach, and climb. Demonstrated math and reading comprehension and good English oral and written communication skills are required.