Definition
Perform skilled animal husbandry functions involving the care and feeding of animals.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Independently perform duties requiring knowledge of technical aspects of animal care such as disease processes and contamination.
Typical Work
Ensure that proper procedures are followed in breeding, raising and tending laboratory animals;
Determine animal care requirements of research investigators; advise personnel regarding specialized requirements;
Receive and distribute animals from procurement sources and scientific departments;
Observe animals for signs of illness or abnormalities; refer questionable cases to animal health specialist; reject unsuitable animals in accordance with established guidelines;
Prepare special diets as directed;
Perform duties of Animal Technician 2;
Maintain detailed records of animal care behavior and health status according to established guidelines;
Maintain adherence to animal colony custodial and safety standards; ensure that proper precautions to minimize biohazard dangers are followed;
May administer intramuscular and subcutaneous medications, collect swabs and blood samples for laboratory analysis and/or monitor general post-operative condition;
May lead assigned personnel;
May assist in research experiment activities;
Perform related duties as required.
Legal Requirement(s)
There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.
Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.
Desirable Qualifications
Two years of experience as an Animal Technician 2 or equivalent;
OR
Eighteen months of experience as an Animal Technician 2 or equivalent and satisfactory completion of an applicable advanced technician training course comparable to the program required for certification as an animal technician by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science;
OR
Eighteen months of experience as an Animal Technician 2 or equivalent and two years of college with course work in animal or life science.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
Class Specification History
New Class: 1-03-73
Revise Class: 12-07-78
Revise Class: 10-22-84
Revise MQ: 7-2-90
Revised new class code: (formerly 4726) effective July 1, 2007.
Base range salary adjustment adopted 6/30/2017, effective 7/1/2017; 30 increased to 31.
Base range salary adjustment adopted 6/13/2019, effective 7/1/2019.
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.