Senior Animal Care Technician

The individual serves as a Senior Animal Care Technician within the Animal Resources and Care Division (ARCD) section of the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI). The individual is responsible and accountable for the daily provision of animal husbandry and care at an ARCD facility (vivarium) or facilities.

The position encompasses the following responsibilities.
1. Provides animal husbandry and care for a variety of animal species with minimal to no guidance from more experienced ARCD personnel and in accordance with applicable regulations, guidelines, and internally established policies and procedures. Care for some animals may require unique skillsets or highly specialized management, oversight, or housing systems such as gnotobiotic animals or in high containment areas (e.g. ABSL-3, Select Agents).
2. Provides sanitation, custodial, and other support services required for the daily operation and maintenance of the animal facility or other animal housing areas.
3. Performs duties that require specialized skills associated with the care and handling of animals, the sanitation of facilities and the operation and maintenance of equipment.
4. Performs basic and advanced technical animal procedures with minimal to no supervision. Assists with or performs advanced technical animal procedures under the guidance and direction of more experienced ARCD personnel.
5. Performs technical training of ARCD staff and researcher/laboratory staff with minimal to no supervision.
6. Provides operational support to the ARCD CVM Animal Care and Operations Manager in inventory management, paperwork, and project management.
7. Serves as the contact person during the absence of the facility supervisor or team leader.

This position is primarily located in Blacksburg, Virginia but may periodically provide back-up support for the Roanoke campus. This position requires some weekend and holiday work as part of a rotating schedule. This position is considered an essential position.

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science or a similar biological science.
• Valid US driver’s license.
• Ability to obtain certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) level within 12 months of start date.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with a variety of animal species including rodent, companion, agricultural, and aquatic species.
• Demonstrated experience operating and performing routine maintenance procedures on mechanical equipment, animal caging, and other equipment commonly utilized throughout the animal facility and animal housing areas.
• Ability to wear personal protection equipment (PPE) appropriate for the species, animal housing conditions, or work area.
• Ability to lift/move 50 pounds.
• Basic computer skills including the ability to utilize common applications (e.g., email, word processing, spreadsheets, etc.).
• Ability to pass an FBI background check and obtain within 12 months of hire and maintain a federal government Security Risk Assessment (SRA) clearance to work in ABSL-3 select agent facilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) level or Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) level.

3

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Regular

Starting at $47,000; commensurate with experience

40

July 16, 2025

This position is restricted to current employees of the Animal Resources and Care Division.

Successful candidate must have ability to pass an FBI background check and obtain within 12 months of hire and maintain a federal government Security Risk Assessment (SRA) clearance to work in ABSL-3 select agent facilities.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

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