Animal Care Assistant II

This position is represented by SEIU Local 2007 and the collective bargaining agreement between the university and SEIU Local 2007 governs the terms and conditions of employment.

About Us:

The Veterinary Service Center (VSC) at Stanford University provides Laboratory Animal Care and operates within the Department of Comparative Medicine. We are fully accredited by the Association for Accreditation and Assessment of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC). Our vision is to pioneer in laboratory animal care, driving research innovations from bench to bedside.

Position Summary:

Anticipated Work Schedule: Saturday-Wednesday (6:45-3:15PM or 7:00-3:30PM).

The Veterinary Service Center within the Department of Comparative Medicine is seeking an Animal Care Assistant II to provide basic care, such as feeding and watering animals as prescribed, and perform routine husbandry techniques for a variety of animals, such as breeding (sexing and weaning) and maintaining strains of mice or other animals.

Physical Requirements:

• Often lift and carry materials weighing up to 40 lbs.

• Frequently handle materials up to 20 lbs. Occasionally carry/pull up to 60 lbs, push over 60 lbs.

• Walk and stand for long periods.

• Bend, squat, reach above shoulder level.

• Often use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

• Required vision abilities including close, distance, color, peripheral and depth perception.

• Ability to talk and to hear.

Additional Physical Requirements:

• Must be capable of lifting and moving cages, feed, supplies, and equipment of at least 50 lbs.

Working Conditions:

• May be required to work overtime, evenings and weekends, including Holidays, sometimes in inclement weather conditions.
• Work in direct contact with animals and all components of animal housing and animal research environment.
• May be exposed to dust, fumes or gases, chemicals or toxic substances.
• Work occurs in a secured facility, in an environment where animals are used for teaching and research.
• The incumbent will be required to complete an initial and annual Occupational Health Surveillance questionnaire and may be required to undergo a physical examination and/or immunizations.
• Responsible for the wearing, use and proper care of uniforms, supplies, and equipment provided by VSC. Including uniforms required for health & safety purposes.
• The incumbent should be free of animal-related allergies.
• Must observe and support good health and safety practices regarding the use of chemicals and equipment. Expected to follow all safety requirements and procedures.

Working Standards:

• When conducting university business, must comply with the California Vehicle Code and Stanford University driving requirements.
• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University''s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu, and the appropriate Collective Bargaining Agreement at https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/workplace[1]essentials/employee-labor-relations/labor-relations-collective-bargaining/seiu-higher

Core Duties:

• Clean and maintain assigned animal rooms
• Observe and record signs of unusual appearance, behavior, illness, or death in animals; complete and maintain forms as required
• Determine sex and wean animals according to established protocols
• Administer pre-measured medications according to instructions
• Obtain routine diagnostic specimens from animals, i.e., blood for viral tests
• Maintain separation of various strains of rodents
• Keep accurate and complete records on animal inventories and activities as required by various regulatory agencies
• May deliver and pick up animals, caging and other supplies between research animal facilities using department owned non-commercial vans, trucks or light transit vehicles.
• May load and unload delivery vehicles by hand or by using a hand-truck, pallet-jack, dolly or forklift.
• May sanitize vehicles and maintain logs of maintenance requirements as needed.
• May perform any of the duties described in the Animal Care Assistant I specification or other duties as assigned.
• Adhere to safety rules.

Minimum Education and Experience

High School Diploma/GED.

One year of applicable animal care experience in research or animal laboratory environment or a combination of equivalent education and work experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

In addition to the qualifications described for the Animal Care Assistant I level the Animal Care Assistant IIs should have:

• Familiarity with NIH guidelines, Stanford animal care and use policies, and USDA regulations.
• Ability to safely operate hand-truck, forklift, and pallet jack machines, as well as non-commercial vans, trucks and light transit vehicles

Certificates and Licenses Required

When driving, must have a valid California non-Commercial Class C license.

Core Duties:

• Clean and maintain assigned animal rooms
• Observe and record signs of unusual appearance, behavior, illness, or death in animals; complete and maintain forms as required
• Determine sex and wean animals according to established protocols
• Administer pre-measured medications according to instructions
• Obtain routine diagnostic specimens from animals, i.e., blood for viral tests
• Maintain separation of various strains of rodents
• Keep accurate and complete records on animal inventories and activities as required by various regulatory agencies
• May deliver and pick up animals, caging and other supplies between research animal facilities using department owned non-commercial vans, trucks or light transit vehicles.
• May load and unload delivery vehicles by hand or by using a hand-truck, pallet-jack, dolly or forklift.
• May sanitize vehicles and maintain logs of maintenance requirements as needed.
• May perform any of the duties described in the Animal Care Assistant I specification or other duties as assigned.
• Adhere to safety rules.

Minimum Education and Experience

High School Diploma/GED.

One year of applicable animal care experience in research or animal laboratory environment or a combination of equivalent education and work experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

In addition to the qualifications described for the Animal Care Assistant I level the Animal Care Assistant IIs should have:

• Familiarity with NIH guidelines, Stanford animal care and use policies, and USDA regulations.
• Ability to safely operate hand-truck, forklift, and pallet jack machines, as well as non-commercial vans, trucks and light transit vehicles

Certificates and Licenses Required

When driving, must have a valid California non-Commercial Class C license.