Animal Care Technician II

Classification & Regular Hours

Hours per Week: 35

Salary Grade: Level M

Please note, there are multiple vacancies available.

About Western

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

About Us

Animal Care and Veterinary Services’ (ACVS) vision is: Advancing excellence in research through collaborative and innovative service, education, and animal welfare.

Responsibilities

In accordance with all standard operating procedures and ergonomically sound practices, the Animal Care Technician is primarily responsible to undertake: husbandry for research animals and related documentation within ACVS-directly managed facilities; animal rooms maintenance and documentation; cage supplies stocking, preparation and disposal; facilities, equipment/supplies maintenance and cleaning; sick animal response reporting; and support for the Animal Facility Maintenance Attendant as required during periods of increased demand, as assigned by ACVS management. The role must understand research animal norms and common species-specific conditions. The role must be available to work with all species in all areas of the facilities as described on the approved Animal Use Protocols (AUPs) and in accordance with operational requirements, e.g. weekdays, evenings, weekends, holidays. As with all positions within ACVS, this role requires the individual to consistently demonstrate sincere compassion for research animals, high adaptability, attention to detail, efficient multi-tasking, effective teamwork and communications skills, and discretion.

Qualifications

Education:

• Formal certification in ‘Animal Care Husbandry’ via a recognized post-secondary institution 
• RLAT certification is preferred 

Experience:

• Two years of recent experience providing animal husbandry within a professional setting 
• One year experience providing lab animal husbandry within an ACVS-directly managed facility, or equivalent Canadian research setting is preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to provide timely, and consistent animal husbandry and care in alignment with all policies, procedures and Standard Operating Procedures specific to Western’s animal care and use program and ACVS-directly managed facilities
• Demonstrated multi-sensory understanding of and response to animal ‘health and welfare’ observations for multiple research species in the context of approved Animal Use Protocols
• Demonstrated ability to effectively restrain multiple research animal species
• Ability to administer treatments to sick animals by following pre-approved Sick Animal Response algorithms while under the direct supervision of a SAR Technician or ACVS Veterinarian
• Proven attention to detail, organizational and multi-tasking skills with the ability to maintain accurate records
• Proven ability to work successfully in a team environment, e.g. supportive of team-members, active contributor to team goal-setting and achievement
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with peers, clients and supervisors in a timely fashion
• Ability to maintain a high degree of diplomacy, composure, and confidentiality
• Moderate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite; proficiency with email communications, web form completion, and basic database entry
• Ability to follow ACVS’s Code of Conduct, including but not limited to: strong customer service orientation; proven team participant; proven effective communicator; proven discretion & diplomacy
• Demonstrated ability to consistently utilize ergonomically sound processes in accordance with Western’s Rehabilitation Services assessments and Occupational Health & Safety guidelines while performing the physical activities

Union Statement

Western welcomes applications from all qualified individuals; however, it is the university's policy to give first consideration to all qualified UWOSA applicants.

Background Checks

Please note, successful applicants may be required to produce a current police information record check(s) from a police service prior to commencing employment.

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.  If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

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