Animal Care Technician

About the Role:

Reporting to the Manager, Animal Care, the Animal Care Technician is accountable for day-to-day care and oversight of animals housed in university research facilities, and is responsible for ensuring that faculty, students and staff are compliant in their use of and treatment of animals involved in biomedical research or teaching. Working closely with veterinary staff, incumbents are responsible for the ethical care and treatment of research animals

TheAnimal Care Technician will:

• Perform routine animal husbandry for all species, including specialty/exotic animals, while following established standard operating procedures and regulatory compliance requirements;

• Observe health condition and behaviour of animals and report injuries, disease, or abnormal behaviour to supervisor and veterinary staff; and

• May be required to perform euthanasia in accordance with SOPs.

• Receive animals from supplier, perform initial health screening and notify PI (Principal Investigator) of their arrival;

• May be asked to assist with the advancement of the animal use-training program for faculty, students and staffs required;

• Perform water sampling to ensure quality standards are maintained;

• Perform routine technical procedures ensuring strict adherence to established standard operating procedures, guidelines, and legislation;

• Perform minor surgeries and technical procedures including sampling, bleeding, injection and all procedures involving the use of anesthetics and related equipment;

• Use a variety of facility equipment such as biological safety cabinets (BSCs), ventilated change tables; individual ventilated cage racks (IVCs); microscopes and centrifuges;

• Assist with breeding colonies and keep records of activities, under the oversight of the veterinary staff for inspection and census information;

• Operate, maintainrecords and perform regular maintenance of table top autoclave, anaestheticmachines and other related facility equipment;

• Calculate blood volume, drug dosages, and replacement fluid rates;

• Develop and revise facility SOPs to ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory and legislative elements;

• Document treatment logs detailing historical and current treatment regimes for animals; 

• Work in the cage wash area. 

Key Skills and Experience:

• Veterinary Technology Diploma (3yr) or Veterinary Technician Diploma (2yr) or equivalent;

• Registered Laboratory Animal Technician (RLAT) or commitment to complete within 2 years;

• Animal care work in a regulated research and/or teaching facility or related area;

• Strong knowledge of regulations and national standards (CCAC, OMAFRA) relating to the care and use of animals in research and education;

• Knowledge of institutional Animal Care Committee (ACC) responsibilities and procedures, as well as the role and value of animal use in biomedical research;

• In-depth knowledge and principles of humane animal care/treatment procedures and practices needed to ensure animals are kept in good health; and

• Strong laboratory practices and sterile surgery technique.

Preferred or Asset Skills: 

• Understanding of University’s policies and procedural requirements;

• Demonstrated experience in a public sector or educational environment; and

• Certification in the Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science (CALAS) as a Registered Laboratory Animal Technician (RLAT).

Salary and Total Rewards: 

• Job Grade J, Salary Scale ($52,920-$90,720);

• Target Hiring Range: $52,920-$60,000

• This is a permanent position that includes: 

• Health & Dental Benefits: Comprehensive extended health, dental, and vision coverage.

• Pension Plan: Enrollment eligibility in the Brock University Pension Plan.

• Vacation: Up to 3 weeks per year, in addition to university holidays.

• Professional Development: Eligibility for the Brock Tuition Waiver Program.

*The final salary is based on experience, internal equity, and budget considerations within the target hiring range.