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Animal Caretaker

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1 Vacancy
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Job Location drjobs

Ames, IA - USA

Hourly Salary drjobs

USD 20 - 25

Vacancy

1 Vacancy

Job Description

The McConnell Group Inc. (TMG) is seeking several experienced Animal Caretakers to support the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Each Animal Caretaker works within a team to provide humane care and treatment of research animals. The Animal Caretaker shall independently select and apply appropriate procedures for the supported tasks. The Animal Caretaker shall assist in providing non-routine care supporting changes in procedure and addressing problems. In addition the Animal Caretaker shall assist or independently perform glassware/cagewash support tasks.

Schedule: Full-time. Variable hours to include weekends holidays and emergencies as requested.

Duties:

Typical but not all inclusive duties are illustrated by the performance of any combination of the following:

Routine Activities (75%)

  • Individually or in coordination with other staff members performs a variety of processes methods procedures and tasks related to the care and feeding of the animals. This also includes routinely communicating with veterinary staff science team members and/or personnel involved with the work.
  • In coordination with the established project schedule carries out the day-to-day activities.
  • Applies guidelines defined by SOPs for acceptable housing of various species in the daily care and housing of animal. Parameters may include space requirements; temperature and humidity water quality directional air flow; and lighting involving light/dark cycles and light levels. Reports any facility items concerning potential safety issues accident injury or near miss activities to supervisor.
  • Provides feed and liquids according to such factors as age activity and state of health requirements. In addition follows provided instructions for special feed requirements including feed supplements to increase or decrease amounts of feed for over and underweight or change of diets for young pregnant or nursing species.
  • In accordance with SOPs mixes diets and rations. Ensures feed is stored appropriately per facility SOPs identifies and clearly labels spoiled or contaminated feed for disposal ensuring feed is within the prescribed shelf life or expiration date.
  • Maintains required records such as feed consumed and refused weight birth date including condition at birth and parentage mortality date general conditions etc.
  • Routinely observes animals for appearance and activity and signs of illness disease discontent behavior and/or refusal of feed. This also includes observations concerning normal exercise and movement rate of growth weight change appetite feces skin lesions and discolored or rough fur or skin as a sign of internal parasites or improper diet. Initiates routine care according to available guidance.
  • Documents and reports animal health and general physical condition per facility-specific guidance. To maintain consistency of care communicates and cooperates with other staff.
  • Determines and performs such things as the amount and type of nesting/bedding materials and when to dehorn shear clip or grooming.
  • In adherence to instructions or SOPs cleans sanitizes and decontaminates immediate animal environments trailers corridors or any other areas. This work involves activities such as disposing of manure/waste and replacing environmental support etc. This may require use of indicators to verify effectiveness of sanitation.
  • Performs routine preparation and packaging of carcasses for disposal which may include transporting of carcasses to disposal site.

Clinical Activities (25%)

  • Applies principles of animal behavior and well-being by implementing environmental enrichment measures. In preparation for a study may perform repeated handling to condition the animals for the study procedures.
  • As required captures and restrains animals for treatment examination or specimen collection both ante and postmortem. Adheres to guidelines for the humane handling of animals to prevent injury to animals and/or personnel.
  • Collects prepares and verifies samples from animals such as blood and other body fluids tissues or secretions and culture samples using techniques as prescribed by animal care and use protocols.
  • Uses calibrating equipment to gather samples to generate data. Collects data and as required prepares spreadsheet(s) of data.
  • Under the direction of the supervisor or veterinarian performs minor veterinary procedures such as wound cleaning and flushing bandaging microchipping ear tagging nail/hoof/claw trims and others as well as necropsy with tissue collection.
  • Follows instructions to administer drugs medications or other chemical agents such as routine vaccines etc. per Standard Operations Procedure (SOP) or veterinary direction or test articles per approved IACUC protocol if assigned as technical support for research projects.
  • Performs routine breeding and reproduction of species including the use of artificial insemination.

Supportive activities

  • Ensures activities are in compliance with policies laws regulations and standards e.g. AAALAC and Animal Welfare documents and IACUC Animal Care and Use Protocols.
  • Keeps detailed records of clinical and experimental data including tabulating and summarizing data using personal computers and software packages.
  • Uses personal computers and software packages to maintain animal history records including origin and disposition veterinary procedures and tests requested/performed and animal care and use.
  • Uses electronic devices such as smart phones computers tablets handheld and handsfree devices per facility SOP daily to communicate (e.g. email texting) and complete recordkeeping and training as required.
  • Participates in reviews of species care and other facility reviews and during inspections responds to any inspectors questions providing complete factual answers.
  • As appropriate wears personal protective equipment (PPE) per established guidelines to include but not limited to clothing gloves sunscreen footwear eyewear hearing protection safety harnesses respirators hard hats etc.
  • A valid State drivers license is required.
  • As required operates government-owned motor vehicles vans and trucks for official use. Also may operate tractors with equipment such as manure spreaders and tillage equipment forklifts and skid loaders.

Minimum Qualification:

Skills: Skill in handling animals including catching holding in the proper position transferring and operating restraint equipment and restraining often frightened unpredictable and ill-natured animals in accordance with humane practices. Knowledge of the normal appearances and activities of animals to recognize changes and skill in recognizing observable signs of illness common diseases discontent or general physical conditions. Skill in calibrating equipment to gather samples and maintaining records from which to generate data and spreadsheets. Ability to carry out the day-to-day animal care activities and the preparation of animals involved in a variety of multiphase projects/experiments. Ability to administer drugs medications or other chemical agents such as routine vaccines.

Physical fitness: Moderate to heavy physical exertion is required daily for restraining larges animals and moving feed hay bedding and equipment (up to 75 pounds). May be required to move large animal carcasses and/or portion of carcasses in carts weighing up to 300 pounds with the support of handling equipment. May require standing on a ladder to complete overhead tasks i.e. the cleaning and changing of filters; stooping bending reaching and active walking. The incumbent may frequently be required to do physical activity while wearing a respirator which requires extra effort.

Availability: Works on weekends holidays and occasional evenings as required.

Security: Ability to pass a background check and drug screening.

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.

The McConnell Group recruits employs trains compensates and promotes without regard to race religion creed color citizenship national origin age sex gender gender identity/expression sexual orientation marital status disability genetic information veteran status or any other legally protected basis in accordance with applicable federal state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including termination layoff recall transfer and leaves of absence.

The McConnell Group uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities as an applicant please visit

Applications can be submitted electronically or by submitting a paper resume to The McConnell Group Attention: HR 8400 Corporate Drive Suite 240 Landover MD 20785.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this job description/posting shall constitute an offer or promise of employment.

Employment Type

Full-Time

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