This is an animal care position in an AAALAC accredited bio-containment animal facility, the Animal Health Research Center(AHRC). Incumbent will perform all aspects of animal husbandry utilizing multiple species of laboratory and agricultural animals in ABSL-2, ABSL-3 and BSL-3ag environments. This position will report to the Assistant Animal Resources Manager at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Incumbent will provide for the daily care of animals including feeding, watering, animal health observations and providing environmental enrichment following established schedules and practices. Work requires performing sanitization duties such as; decontaminating, cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of cages, animal rooms, primary enclosures, ancillary areas and equipment. Job requires strict adherence to established standard operating procedures while performing duties; including the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). May perform technical services such as; blood, tissue, urine/feces collection, administering prophylactic treatments and injections. Handles, identifies, receives and transports animals. Monitors and records environmental parameters and conditions. initiates and maintains animal room logs, autoclave/cage-washer logs, animal health records, census sheets, and other essential records. Restocks supply inventories, sets up equipment and processes bio-hazardous waste.Operates and maintains equipment such as; autoclaves, cage-washers, bedding disposal units, IVC racks w/HEPA units and bio-safety cabinets, auto water systems, etc. Performs minor preventative maintenance duties and integrated pest management tasks following established schedules. Participates in pre-study meetings, continuing education and training classes as directed. Assist with rodent health surveillance,microbiological testing and quality assurance programs. Participates in standard operating procedures development.

Once hired, all personnel working with animals or bio-hazardous agents must be enrolled in and cleared to work through the UGA Occupational Health Program, https://research.uga.edu/ohsp/

Ability and skills to perform animal husbandry duties in an ABSL-2, ABSL-3 or BSL-3ag vivarium utilizing multiple laboratory animal and agricultural species. Knowledge of the Guide for the Care & Use of Laboratory Animals. Applicants must have the ability to communicate clearly and succinctly. This is a technical position and the job requires careful attention to detail; good listening and comprehension skills and the ability to follow verbal and written instructions. Keen observation skills. Ability to promote and foster teamwork in order to meet program and research objectives are essential. Competency in basic containment principles/practices working at ABSL-3 and BSL3ag levels.

Once hired, all personnel working with animals or bio-hazardous agents expected be enrolled in and cleared to work through the UGA Occupational Health Program.

Sustained periods of physical activity such as standing, bending, stooping, reaching above shoulder level, and lift 50 pounds. Work sometimes under challenging conditions (high humidity/temperature, unpleasant odors, animal excreta and noise). Work involves exposure to bio-hazards, chemicals and/or physical risks, which require following established safety procedures. May take multiple showers each day and wear PPE (PAPRS, protective clothing, battery packs, respirators, gloves) and stand on hard surfaces for prolonged periods of time. Handle and treat multiple species of animals including large hoofstock in relatively confined spaces. Work may be physically demanding involving the transport, relocation and positioning of supplies and caging equipment.

Performs daily animal care and husbandry duties for research animals in a bio-containment facility including feeding, watering, animal handling/transport, animal health checks, cage changing, providing enrichment and environmental monitoring. Assures animals are appropriately maintained and cared for in accordance with standard operating procedures and supervisors instructions. Possibly needed to transport animals across campus, or pick up supplies.

Decontaminates, cleans, and sanitizes animal rooms, ancillary areas, primary enclosures and caging equipment following established procedures and schedules. Operates equipment such as; autoclaves, bedding dump stations, IVC racks, chemical foamer/sprayers, biological safety cabinets, cage and pressure washers.

Maintains and stocks appropriate supplies and equipment inventories. Performs minor preventative maintenance duties on animal care and ancillary equipment ensuring it is maintained and functioning at optimal performance. Performs and assists with rodent health surveillance, animal facility quality assurance program and integrated pest management program.

Initiates and maintains records such as animal room logs, sanitation logs, autoclave logs, census activity sheets, etc. Assists in standard operating procedures development. Performs and assists with technical services such as; blood/tissue collections and administering animal treatments. Participates in multiple training classes as prescribed and participates in UGA Occupational Health & Safety program. Performs weekend and holiday duties as scheduled; and other duties as assigned. Provides assistance and resources to facility users and departmental staff.