Job Title Animal Care Technician II

Job ID 29450

Faculty/Unit Animal Care and Veterinary Services

Department Animal Care

Employee Group UWO Staff Association

Appointment Type Continuing

Appointment Status Regular Full-Time

Hours per Week: 35

Salary: Level M

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.

ACVS supports researchers in their quest to discover solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, while ensuring the highest standards of ethics and care in animal-based science.

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. In this role, the successful candidate must understand research animal norms and common species-specific conditions. The Animal Care Technician must also 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.

Education:
-   Formal certification in ‘Animal Care Husbandry’ via a recognized post-secondary institution
-   Registered Laboratory Animal Technician (RLAT) is preferred

Experience:
-   Two years of recent experience providing animal husbandry within a professional setting
-   One year of 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 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

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

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

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, Aboriginal 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 at hrhelp@uwo.ca or phone 519-661-2194.

Applications submitted through Working at Western website: https://www.uwo.ca/hr/working/staff/index.html

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