Husbandry Technician II - Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute

Sanford Burnham Prebys is a preeminent, independent biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding human biology and disease and advancing scientific discoveries to profoundly impact human health. For over 40 years, our research has produced breakthroughs in cancer, neuroscience, immunology, and children’s diseases, and is anchored by our NCI-designated cancer center and advanced drug discovery capabilities.

Under direct supervision from the Animal Facility Manager, and sometimes with instruction from the Lead Husbandry Technician, the Husbandry Technician II will be responsible for husbandry activities related to the care of laboratory research mice and rats. 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).

Husbandry Duties ~80%

• 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 corrects 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 check and report observed health conditions to Laboratory Animal Technicians (LATs)
• Restocks room supplies and maintains common use storage and procedure support areas
• Cleans and maintains assigned animal rooms, surrounding support areas and procedure labs
• Performs routine animal health treatments
• Performs technical procedures such as blood collection and injections
• Assists with breeding colony maintenance (determines how to breed mice based on research requirements)

Cage Room Duties ~20%

• Assists with cage washrooms as needed or when scheduled
• 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
• Participates in required EH&S and department training courses
• Prepares cleaning solutions and label stock solutions with preparation date
• Performs euthanasia
• Cleans and restock procedure rooms

Education and/or Experience

• High School diploma and two years’ general work experience required or an equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been attained
• College degree and/or ALAT or LAT certification preferred

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
• Embody the Institute’s core values of Commitment, Collaboration, Communication, Community and Compassion

Supervisory Responsibilities:

No, this position does not have any formal supervisory responsibilities

Compensation:

The expected hiring range for this position is $20 - $22/hour commensurate with relevant experience.

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute is an Equal Opportunity employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability – committed to the hiring, advancement, and fair treatment of all individuals. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected status as designated by federal, state or local law. For additional information about your rights as an applicant, click HERE.

As part of this commitment, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our HR Partners at 858 646 3100 Ext 5127 or via e-mail at accomodations@sbpdiscovery.org.