Animal Caretaker

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Comparative Medicine, in Hershey, PA is seeking a part time animal caretaker.

• Sanitize animal facility caging and equipment by the use of operating cage washing equipment. 

• Maintain maintenance logs and daily temperature logs. 

• Set up, operate and service cage washing machines and sterilizing equipment as needed. 

• Load, unload and store food, bedding and other facility equipment. 

• Check cages and other equipment for needed repair. Clean and repair equipment for daily service such as cage washers, autoclaves, bottle filling stations, and bedding dispensers. 

• Assemble caging supplies with properly sterilized feed, bedding and water (acidified or autoclaved) in a manner that assures that they remain sterile throughout the handling process. 

• Follow standardized procedures; assure that animal waste is disposed of properly. 

• Provide animal related equipment to personnel to ensure appropriate schedules are maintained. 

• Maintain various records of supplies used for the purpose of cleaning, sanitizing, repairing and or dispensing of waste materials. 

• Comply with animal facility and Penn State Hershey medical center policies and standard operating procedures. 

• Maintain cage wash rooms, animal rooms and facility hallways in a clean state. 

• Operate battery powered cart and/or University motor vehicle (box truck/pickup truck) as necessary. 

• Comply with animal facility and Penn State College of Medicine policies and standard operating procedures. 

• Attend meeting and training sessions on all aspects of laboratory animal care and uses of animals in biomedical research as assigned by the management staff. 

• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein. 

• Work with a variety of animals, including handling, restraint, feeding, watering and the general husbandry of the animals. 

• Change cages or pens following aseptic and conventional technician and assure animals are not contaminated when outside of their primary enclosure. 

• Will perform duties within various animal biosafety levels. Will follow posting pre-cautions and wear provided PPE. 

• Record critical facility data on a daily basis which is required by local, state and federal regulatory agencies. 

This is an entry level position, some experience in the cleaning or care and handling of animals is preferred. This position requires the knowledge and ability to learn to use various technical animal care and research equipment, including cage washers, autoclaves, class II bio-safety cabinets, ventilated cage rack systems, and micro isolator cages. 

This position requires proficient verbal and written English and mathematic skills pertinent to the duties of this position and situations encountered in the animal facility. Demonstrate proficiency for core SOP’s. Requires the ability to work independently and in a team setting. Customer-focused attitude and enjoy working with other similarly dedicated persons is a must. Requires the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. on a regular basis and requires long periods of standing. 

The animal facility has a variety of environmental conditions including exposure to noise, dust, chemical, heat and animal waste products. The use of appropriate protective clothing and equipment may be required and will be provided when required along with the proper training. Work requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Must have a valid driver’s license.

Shift:

This is a part time temporary position, 40 hours a week, up to 28 weeks.

Shift: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday.

The following clearances must be successfully completed for this position:  

• Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check  
• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Background Check   

 
The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.  

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: