Animal Care Assistant I
Location
Stanford, California, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
0-2 years
Compensation
$30 - $36 per hour
Posted
1d ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
The Animal Care Assistant I at Stanford University's Veterinary Service Center performs routine custodial care for laboratory animals and equipment. Responsibilities include sanitizing equipment, providing basic animal husbandry, and maintaining records, ensuring a clean and safe environment for research animals.
Schedule:
Monday-Friday, approximately 6:45 AM-3:15 PM or 7:00 AM-3:30 PM.
Key Responsibilities:
Provide basic care and husbandry for various animal species, including feeding, watering, cage cleaning, and cage changes according to SOPs and research protocols.
Sanitize and sterilize cages, feeders, water bottles, and other animal care equipment.
Assemble clean cage setups and disassemble dirty cages for disposal or recycling.
Organize and stage clean caging equipment.
Transport animals, equipment, supplies, and caging within animal care facilities.
Perform routine animal transfers when required.
Observe animals for obvious signs of illness, injury, or death and promptly report concerns.
Conduct animal censuses and record births, deaths, and other required information.
Complete and maintain inventory, cage-washing, sterilization, and animal records.
Operate cage washers, sterilizing equipment, and other animal care machinery.
Follow all applicable SOPs, research protocols, safety procedures, and University policies.
Promote a strong culture of safety and communicate potential hazards or concerns.
Maintain clean, organized work areas and demonstrate consistent cleanliness and attention to detail.
Minimum Qualifications:
High school diploma or GED required.
Ability to read, write, understand, and follow written and verbal instructions in English.
Ability to work cooperatively with team members and communicate effectively.
Basic computer skills and familiarity with handheld devices such as iPads.
Ability to learn proper techniques for handling and caring for various animal species.
Ability to safely handle small animals.
Ability to operate cage washers, sterilizers, and related equipment.
Strong organizational and record-keeping skills.
Physical Requirements:
Lift and move at least 50 pounds, including feed bags, cages, equipment, and supplies.
Frequently handle materials up to 20 pounds and often carry materials up to 40 pounds.
Occasionally carry or pull up to 60 pounds and push more than 60 pounds.
Stand and walk for extended periods.
Bend, squat, reach overhead, climb, and perform repetitive hand movements.
Required vision includes close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception.
Ability to communicate verbally and hear effectively.
Ability to work while wearing a Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR).
Working Environment:
Work directly with animals and within laboratory animal housing and research areas.
Potential exposure to dust, fumes, gases, chemicals, toxic substances, and animal-related allergens.
Must be able to work in a secured research facility.
May work overtime, evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasionally in inclement weather.
Must complete occupational health surveillance requirements and may be required to undergo physical examinations or immunizations.
Regular hearing testing is required.
Must follow all health, safety, chemical handling, equipment, uniform, and PPE requirements.
License:
Valid California non-commercial Class C driver’s license required when driving.
Benefits:
18+ days of PTO annually
Health benefits beginning upon employment
Flexible work options
World-class exercise facilities
$6,000+ annual tuition and training assistance
403(b) retirement plan
Mental health and wellness programs
Free and discounted commuter transportation
The successful candidate will demonstrate reliability, cleanliness, attention to detail, teamwork, animal care skills, and a strong commitment to safety in a laboratory animal research environment.
Updated 1d ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
0-2 years
Certifications
How this role is positioned
Role classification
Job domains
Industries
Employment
Full Time
Contract duration
Permanent
Hiring type
Direct
Global hiring
Location specific
Offer details
Compensation and benefits
Compensation
$30 - $36 per hour
Benefits and perks
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Stanford University
Team size
Growing team
Location
Stanford, California, United States
The Veterinary Service Center (VSC) at Stanford University provides Laboratory Animal Care and operates within the Department of Comparative Medicine. We are fully accredited by the Association for Accreditation and Assessment of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC). Our vision is to pioneer in laboratory animal care, driving research innovations from bench to bedside.
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Animal Care Assistant I
Stanford, California, United States • Full Time