Animal Caretaker

Scranton, United States

University of Scranton
Animal Caretaker

Non-Discrimination Statement

The University is committed to providing an educational, residential, and working environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Members of the University community, applicants for employment or admissions, guests and visitors have the right to be free from harassment or discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sex, pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, national origin, ethnicity, family responsibilities, marital status, veteran or military status, citizenship status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational, extracurricular, athletic, or other programs or in the context of employment.

The University will promptly address reports of discrimination under the University Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy (NDAH Policy) or the Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy (SHSM Policy). Anyone who has questions about the above referenced policies, or wishes to report a possible violation of one of the policies should contact:

Elizabeth M. Garcia
Title IX Coordinator
Office of Institutional Compliance & Title IX
Institute of Molecular Biology & Medicine, Suite 315
elizabeth.garcia2@scranton.edu
(570) 941-6645
https://www.scranton.edu/compliance-titleix/

The University of Scranton is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Educator.

University Mission

The University is a Catholic and Jesuit University animated by the spiritual vision and the tradition of excellence characteristic of the Society of Jesus and those who share in its way of proceeding. All candidates must indicate how they would help communicate and support the Catholic and Jesuit identity and mission of the University. The Universitys mission statement and a description of the history and concepts of the Ignatian teaching philosophy may be found at https://www.scranton.edu/about/jesuit-tradition/index.shtml.

Department
Biology

Job Purpose:

Responsible to the Animal Facility Director for cleaning animal cages (mammal, amphibian, reptile, and fish), feeding and watering animals, maintaining cleaning equipment, and routine maintenance and organization of the animal facilities. Animal Caretaker will also train all facility users on procedures and rules of the animal facilities, stay up to date with federal regulations and techniques regarding animal care procedures. Animal Caretaker will maintain inventory and storage of chemicals, dispose of hazardous materials, and coordinate with PIs for the ordering, preparation, and receipt of new animals and food. Animal Caretaker will serve as a member of the IACUC and will serve as a third-party observer to all surgical procedure training.

Essential Duties:

Clean animal cages, mats, floors, walls, and so forth in the animal research facilities. This includes performing routine cage changes for mice and water changes for aquariums.
Check animals daily for food, water, and general condition. This includes checking for litters, pregnancy status of mice, and weaning mice at the appropriate time.
Perform post-operative care of mice and monitor behaviors.
Perform maintenance on cleaning equipment and ordering and maintaining supplies.
Inventory and order feed, cages, and other supplies or inform PIs the need to order maintenance materials, maintain a log book (particularly for in/out dates of perishables and consumables) of storage items.
Meet with facility directors, researchers, and students and tend to their animal care needs; train all facility users (PIs and students) on procedures and rules of the facility (go over procedures and rules item by item including all building safety procedures) and distribute copy of procedures and rules to each; provide certification for student research assistants that complete CITI and Facility Training.
Maintain log book of trained facility users and for student research assistants that complete certification.
Learn and implement federal regulations regarding animal care procedures
Maintain an updated bulletin board in each facility with copies of Facility Personnel, OLAW License, USDA Registration, Program of Veterinary Care, Student Certification and Training List, Facility Procedures and Rules, Crisis Management Plan with emergency contacts, names, and contacts for reporting concerns.
Maintain inventory and storage of chemicals and maintain the log book of Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
Maintain and routinely dispose of hazardous materials (e.g., dead animal freezer).
Coordinate with Principle Investigators the ordering, preparation for, and receipt of new animals.
Serve as member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

Additional Skills Required:

Minimum Education Requirements:

High school, or equivalent is required.

Preferred Education:

Minimum Job Experience Requirements:

Must have six (6) months of experience in an animal care facility.

Must have a tolerance for heat, high humidity and noise in the washing area, and for animal fur, wastes, litter, and dust.

Preferred Qualifications:

Trained in laboratory animals and/or with American Association of Laboratory Animal Sciences certification.

Veterinary technician license

Years of Experience:
University Classification: Technical
FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt
Schedule/Work Hours: Position is 20 hours per week. Schedule will be determined based on need, so must be flexible.
Full Time/Part Time: Part-Time
Annual Schedule: 12

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Posting Number: S0974P
Open Date: 09/29/2025
Close Date: 10/20/2025
Open Until Filled: No

To apply, visit https://universityofscrantonjobs.com/postings/8293

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