Animal Care Technician II

Job Description: Job DescriptionAnimal Care Technician (ACT) II*This position is based in San DiegoJOB SUMMARYMispro fosters and ensures the responsible and humane use of in vivo research models within our network of AAALAC-accredited contract vivariums (primarily rodent). The Animal Care Technician (ACT) II is an experienced animal care position focused primarily on animal care and vivarium operations/maintenance, including engagement with clients, oversight of local vivarium physical plant and assuring compliance with federal, state, local and accrediting regulations. It’s for those who have the experience/knowledge of lab animal care and are seeking greater operational opportunities and independence. This position reports directly to a Site Operations Site Supervisor. MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONSResponsible for providing appropriate daily husbandry to various laboratory animal species in accordance with all guidelines, regulations, and SOPs pertaining to Laboratory Animal Care. Primary duties are performance of daily animal and vivarium physical plant and animal husbandry & maintenance duties (i.e. cage changing, animal & supplies receipt, stocking, vivarium sanitation). In addition to primary duties described, responsibilities for this role will also involve programmatic oversight for specific vivarium operational responsibilities, performing in an associate Site Lead role, ordering/receipt of supplies, special projects, and coordination of vivarium/research support activities under the guidance of the Site Supervisor and/or Animal Care Technician III/Site Lead(s). Animal CarePerform animal husbandry (daily checks, cage changes, clinical follow up) for predominantly rodent speciesRecognize and respond to standard rodent clinical conditions; perform basic veterinary care/treatment functionsReceive and house animal deliveries while confirming conditions of animal shipment (animal health, genders, numbers of animals, IDs) Ensure animal care standardsPerform euthanasia as required to ensure animal welfare and appropriate colony managementVivarium Operations Recognize and report environmental deviations (temp, humidity, lighting, HAVC, noise, odor) Perform facility sanitation and participate in decontamination effortsSupport waste management practices/compliance (RMW, Path/Chemo, lab waste, recycling, composting) Receive and maintain common consumables (PPE, caging, diet, etc) Submit animal orders and print cage cardsSupport Client service needs/equipment usageProvide ad interim site leadership in absence of Site Lead and SupervisorClient Interaction Maintain on-going communications with Clients within assigned spacesRecognize and escalate Client concerns with animal care, environment and Mispro servicesProvide regular updates to Clients regarding animal conditions and basic support requests (clinical updates, breeding progress, restocking of consumables, waste management, sanitation) Maintain cage change schedules in alignment with in-room Client activityRegulatory ComplianceEnsure appropriate entries into sign-offs and accurate documentation of activitiesSupport compliance with all institutional (IACUC, QA), governmental (EPA, PHS, USDA) and accrediting (AAALACi) protocols & policiesDevelop familiarity with Mispro SOPs and maintain standards with updates/revisionsRemain current with company trainings and professional development expectationsAdditionalAble to lift 50 lbs, move heavy objects, work from a standing position for prolonged time periods and perform repetitive motion tasksMust be available to support weekend, holiday, emergency, and after-hour operational responsibilities Assisting in supporting the program through other requested duties as necessaryQUALIFYING CANDIDATE PROFILE Dedicated to providing humane animal care A strong commitment to providing quality research service supportFamiliarity/exposure with operating practices for in vivo environments and models Familiarity of regulatory standards (local, industry, federal, AAALAC) governing the care and use of animals in researchAbility to identify non-compliant animal care/facility operations and report to local leadershipEffective communication (verbal, written, response to emails, appropriate chain of command, escalation of emergencies), interpersonal (transparency, professionalism, integrity, trust) and organizational skills (prioritizing, time management, scheduling, attention to detail) Team focus supporting local site cultureAble to work reliably in independent situationsAble to travel locally as neededREQUIRED EXPERIENCE Minimum of two (2) years animal care/vivarium operations (husbandry or related) High school degree required; 2-year degree in general science, animal science, or veterinary science desirableALAT preferred; encouraged upon employmentPrior animal care experience within Pharma, Biotech and/or academic in vivo research environments