Animal Caretaker

Our client is seeking experienced Animal Caretakers to support the

United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases

(USAMRIID). USAMRIID's mission is to provide leading-edge medical

capabilities to deter and defend against current and emerging biological

threat agents. Each Animal Caretakers 3 works within a team to provide

humane care and treatment of research animals. The Animal Caretaker 3

provides animal husbandry support in Quarantine, Barrier, ABSL-2,

ABSL-3, and ABSL-4 animal care and use areas. The Animal Caretaker 3

shall independently select and apply appropriate procedures for the

supported tasks. The Animal Caretaker 3 shall assist in providing

non-routine care, supporting changes in procedure, and addressing

problems. In addition, the Animal Caretaker 3 shall assist or

independently perform glassware/cagewash support tasks.



Schedule: Full-time. Variable hours to include weekends, holidays, and

emergencies as requested.



Duties:



- Contract Employee shall provide animal care and husbandry to the

animals during experimental and non-experimental periods IAW SOPs

and/or protocol. This includes, but is not limited to,

cleaning/sanitizing the micro- and macroenvironment; transferring

animals between cages/restraint devices/jump boxes; providing

environmental enrichment; housing animals in appropriate size and

types of cages; monitoring animals and reporting/documenting

abnormal conditions or treatment failures; and ensuring food/water

are available IAW SOPs or protocol. Contract Employees shall work

independently IAW SOPs and apply practical knowledge and technical

expertise to resolve problems independently and in cooperation with

other personnel. Contract Employees shall report any SOP deviations

to the Contract PM as soon as practicable.



- Contract Employee shall receive, exam, verify (i.e., determine sex),

move to designated room and house of all incoming laboratory animals

IAW SOPs and/or protocol.



- Contract Employee shall conduct daily cage counts and weekly head

counts to the Contract PM IAW SOPs.



- Contract Employee shall ensure all animals are properly identified

and associated with specific experiments IAW SOPs.



- Contract Employee shall transport animals within the facility or

to/from other facilities IAW SOPs.



- Contract Employee shall ensure proper room designations and entry

procedures and update room entry order IAW SOPs.



- Contract Employee shall operate animal husbandry equipment and

document operations IAW SOPs.



- Contract Employee shall store animal husbandry equipment and

supplies IAW SOPs.



- Contract Employee shall observe and document temperature, humidity

and light levels within animal care and use areas IAW SOPs and

report excursions to the Contract PM immediately.



Clearance Requirements: Ability to obtain and maintain a security

clearance, if required by the facility or research project. Must meet

all requirements for the BPRP to access ABSL-3 and ABSL-4 containment

areas. T3 investigation (NACLC/ANACI is acceptable if completed within 5

years prior to enrollment). A favorably adjudicated SECRET security

clearance eligibility, with no access to classified, is required.



Qualifications:



- Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification or

higher, as defined by the American Association of Laboratory Animal

Sciences (AALAS), is required prior to or within eighteen (18)

months of start date



- At least two (2) years' animal husbandry experience in support of

non-human primates (NHPs) in a research setting is required



- Experience with rodents, swine, rabbits, and ferrets in a research

setting is highly desirable



- Experience in Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) is desirable



- Work requires continuous standing and walking on concrete or hard

surfaced floors, climbing, working in a bent position, and carrying

materials up to 50 pounds. Greater strength, effort, and agility are

required in the handling, capturing, and restraining of the

stronger, more active animals.



- Contract Employees must enroll in and meet the Biological Personnel

Reliability Program (BPRP) and Select Agent requirements IAW Army

Regulation 190-17.



Benefits: The McConnell Group offers a comprehensive benefits program,

including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), and a range

of other voluntary benefits. Paid Time Off (PTO) is offered to regular

full-time employees.