Career Center

OVERVIEW:   Responsibilities of this position are that of an Animal Facility Specialist – Animal Caretaker Lead (Small Animal) for the WRAIR/NMRC, Animal Care Project.  Responsible for all activities required for the proper care and maintenance of research animals maintained in the WRAIR facilities.  All employees are expected to perform their duties as assigned, arrive to work at 7 am and depart at 3:30 pm (M-F).  You will be required to work on the weekend and holidays as scheduled.  The weekend and holiday hours are from 7 am to 12 pm.  This position is designated as essential.  In addition you will be expected to work extra hours during emergency situations or if any unexpected situation arise until work is completed. 

Primary Duties:

• The AFS shall provide oversight, management, and husbandry services for the small animals housed in building 503 and 511 at the direction of the Facility Manager (FM)
• The AFS shall assign husbandry tasks to caretakers daily; monitor room status and adjust husbandry schedule as room population changes; perform routine checks in rooms to ensure cages/rooms are changed/sanitized in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); check and initial sheets for all animal rooms daily; provide husbandry support as needed; check all dirty cages before they leave each assigned corridor; maintain monthly sanitation schedule and ensure all monthly tasks are completed on time; ensure all cage cards accurately reflect # of animals in cage; ensure all door signs accurately reflect animals in room, make sure all protocol #’s are listed with correct investigator for each protocol (matches cage cards in room); ensure all animals have non-food enrichment in cage; supervise receipt and housing of animals; coordinate all animal transfers and cage orders with FM; and report all needed maintenance repairs to FM
• Knowledge of, Microsoft Office software, and database systems is desired
• This individual will assist the Project Manager in implementing and maintaining the Quality Control/Quality Assurance program
• Provide food and water to animals following SOPs or approved protocols
• Sanitize and decontaminate all areas of the facility
• Dispose of waste from the facility following appropriate SOPs
• Maintain and repair animal caging and support equipment. Report all needed maintenance to the Facility Manager
• Assist with receipt, stocking and maintenance of all supply inventories
• Dispose of animal carcasses following SOPs
• Assist with the restraint and manipulation of various animal species
• Understand and follow SOPs, safety procedures, and QA/QC guidelines for animal care at all levels of biohazard containment
• Perform routine animal husbandry
• Perform daily animal health surveillance checks and report any abnormal conditions of either the animals or the animal room environment to the appropriate person
• Maintain an accurate animal census in assigned animal rooms, reported weekly
• Prepare and submit records, charts, logs, cage cards, and inventories as required by SOPs
• Report any abnormal conditions of the animal facility or immediate vicinity to supervisory staff
• Assist in training Animal Caretaker I, Animal Caretaker II, and cage wash personnel.
• Act as team leader for the animal caretakers
• Assist in performing animal health and technical experimental procedures as directed.
• Record experimental data for investigators as required
• Perform technical procedures requiring various levels of biohazard containment
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements:  Required to be AALAS certified at the LAT level.  Desires 3 years of supervisory and laboratory animal experience.  The Animal Facility Specialist (AFS) shall provide supervision, management, and husbandry services for the buildings 503 and 511 vivarium at the direction of the Facility Manager(s).  The building Animal Facility Specialist shall assign husbandry tasks to caretakers daily.  Must attain and maintain access to work place as set forth by WRAIR personnel, access and security requirements.  Maintain all contract requirements to include quality of work, occupational health (e.g., vaccinations) and training.  The Animal Facility Specialist shall be required to lift a minimum of 50 lb.  Some knowledge of IBM-compatible computers, Microsoft Office software, and database systems is desired.  This individual will assist the Facility / Project Manager in implementing and maintaining the Quality Control/Quality Assurance program.   Must complete the required training and receive clearance on the duties of Animal Facility Specialist as outlined below.  Maintain all contract requirements to include quality of work, occupational health (e.g., vaccinations) and training.

SoBran, Inc. is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.