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Laboratory and Animal Care Technician Assistant

Assist Vivarium manager and laboratory technician(s) to ensure the well-being of research animals and maintenance of the vivarium facility to meet IACUC and USDA requirements. The Technician Assistant at COMP-Northwest will also be expected to gain the ability to perform routine laboratory functions supporting scientific experiments and investigations in the Research Lab including, as well as assist with the following; conducting inventory of supplies and samples; recording and analyzing data; experiments and report writing on scientific findings; and maintaining a safe environment in the lab. This position will also train students on laboratory techniques and help guide them on independent research projects, among other laboratory or department-based tasks.

This position reports to the Animal Care Operations Manager at COMP-Northwest. This position will also collaborate closely with the Laboratory Manager, Laboratory Director, and other research faculty.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Individuals must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to

perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities:

Must have a solid foundation in science subjects such as biology and chemistry.
Must be comfortable with working with various types of animals; must disclose any known and existing animal allergies.
Strong time management skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to learn and apply scientific techniques, use technical equipment with accuracy and efficiency.
Individuals are recommended to be in good physical condition or mobility; this position requires constant physical activity such as standing, bending, walking, reaching, lifting, etc.
Demonstrate a commitment to working in an organization that values and promotes humanism.

Required Qualifications

Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent.

Experience:

At least six months’ experience in a laboratory environment.
Experience in animal care and/or research involving mammals.
Good knowledge in MS Office and other basic computer software systems.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

College coursework in animal science, biological sciences, or other field pursuing scientific degree preferred.

Experience:

One year experience in a laboratory environment, preferably in academic research settings applying basic laboratory techniques.
Familiarity with care and husbandry needs for commonly used research animals.
Certification/Licenses/Registration: Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) or eligibility to earn certification.

Essential Job Duties

Key Responsibilities

Animal Care & Husbandry:

Monitors and logs animal health daily, reports initial health concerns to the Vivarium Manager and Attending Veterinarian.
Performs routine cleaning, cage changing, maintenance and safety checks within the vivarium and laboratory space.
Assists with vivarium quality assurance (QA) testing and recordkeeping.
Assists with inventory management and receiving supplies as needed.
Assists technicians and Principal Investigators with any special animal care needs or procedures in accordance with protocols, experiments, and projects.

Key Responsibilities

Laboratory Support & Recordkeeping:

Performs routine laboratory tasks as needed per management or researcher direction.
Assist with proper materials disposal, organization, general housekeeping, and any required recordkeeping for the laboratory to abide by university policy and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) compliance.
May occasionally assist researchers and students with experiments using laboratory equipment and chemicals.
May assist with writing reports, performing data analysis, and constructing summaries on the findings of experiment work.

Key Responsibilities

Laboratory Maintenance & Recordkeeping:

Performs routine laboratory maintenance tasks weekly or as needed per management direction.
Assist with proper materials disposal, organization, general housekeeping, and any required recordkeeping for the laboratory to abide by university policy and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Other Responsibilities:

Stay up to date with relevant scientific developments that can improve the efficiency of lab operations.
Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.
The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Posting Details Continued

Work Schedule

Part time, 10-16 hours per week. Weekend and holiday shifts are expected.
Due to the nature of the industry, employees may be required to work varying schedules to meet the needs of the department needs. required.

Working at WesternU

We believe in making an impact in the lives of our employees, personally, and professionally. Every employee has different individual and/or family needs. We offer benefits that are both comprehensive and flexible to address your unique needs. We believe work-life harmony is positive and achievable.

We offer competitive salaries, generous paid time off, insurance plans, reimbursements, and retirement benefits. Additionally,

Our faculty, staff, and administrators are 100% focused on student success.

Our University culture creates the context for a nurturing and supportive environment.

Faculty, staff, and students can expect to make deep, personal relationships within the University community.

As a Faculty, Staff, or Student at WesternU, you can focus on work that you love, be your authentic self, and lead to the future with innovation in health sciences.

WesternU’s core value of humanism encourages all to bring their whole self in all that they do.

We are committed to fostering a culture of respect, equity, collaboration, and fun at all levels for all people!

Expected Pay Scale

Minimum

$19.50 Hourly

Maximum

$19.50 Hourly

Physical Demands

Do the essential functions of this job require lifting?

Yes

If yes, list maximum weight and duration

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by any employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to grasp laboratory objects, equipment and animals (if applicable). The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk or hear, and smell. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hand and arms, climb and stoop. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Vision abilities required by this job include close and color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus in order to monitor the various computer screens and instruments used during the physiological processes.

Describe Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Duties are routinely performed in a typical laboratory setting. While performing duties in this setting the employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold (non-weather), and risk of electric shock. The employee is regularly exposed to wet humid conditions (non-weather), moving mechanical parts, and high precarious places. The employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions, extreme heat (non-weather), and risk of radiation. The noise level in this setting may be loud due to the noise of ventilation system and hydraulic body hoist.

Posting Information

Posting Number

S01764

Posting Date

03/03/2026

Close Date

03/03/2027

Open Until Filled

Yes

Conditions of Employment - Background Check

To secure employment, successful fulfillment of a background check, including a criminal records check, may be required. Western University of Health Sciences will extend a conditional offer of employment, subject to rescission if the background check unveils disqualifying information or if it is found that the candidate deliberately withheld or misrepresented information. Non-completion of the background check to satisfaction may impact the ongoing employment of a current Western University of Health Sciences employee who received a conditional offer for the position.

Pay Transparency Act

Pay Transparency Act- Western University of Health Sciences is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range considers various factors in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The Expected Pay Scale is defined as the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Placement within the Expected Pay Scale is determined by internal equity and relevant qualifications.

Equal Opportunity Statement (EEO)

It is the policy of Western University to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment as required by law without regard to age, race, color, national origin ancestry, citizenship, ethnicity, creed, religion or religious creed, sex or gender (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, disability (both physical and mental) including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), pregnancy (which includes childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), age, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other applicable protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.This policy applies to all employment practices within WesternU including without limitation, hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoffs, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. WesternU makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merits, and business needs at the time.