Animal Care Technician II

The Biological Resource Center (BRC) at National Jewish Health is seeking an Animal Care Technician II to join our team. Our department provides care to animals involved in research studies, focusing on pulmonary diseases such as COPD, and mechanisms of lung injury and repair. Our focus is to provide the best possible environment for the animals for successful research.

The selected candidate will provide and maintain a clean cage environment, and support services for the investigators based on requests and ongoing services. These services may include tissue sample collection or colony management including weaning and breeding. Our team within the BRC will provide training for these techniques.

While experience is not required for this position, candidates who have been exposed to basic animal care through coursework, internships, or another job and show enthusiasm for basic science research are preferred. 

The selected candidate for this position will:

• Work under the supervision of BRC supervisor, and manager including senior animal care staff personnel.
• Be involved in interaction with other lab members.
• Perform technical services independently after receiving training.
• Collect, data, animal census and present data to research personnel
• Be organized and able to maintain clear and reliable record, and may include computer database entry
• Participate in maintenance & operations.

Continuing education is available. Three levels of certification are offered for employees seeking education in research focused material.

Position Summary    

This position is responsible, under direct supervision, for providing care to research animals housed within the BRC. Following departmental SOP’s, the technician performs weekly cage changing, provides food and water, monitors macro and micro environmental conditions, performs treatments, assists in tissue and blood collection.

Essential Duties

1. Perform cage changing and sanitations of rooms as per departmental SOPs and regulatory bodies, as well as daily treatments
2. Monitor daily macro and micro environments of facility rooms.
3. Provides food and water for animals housed within the BRC.
4. Assists in collection of tissue samples and blood collection. 
5. Completes euthanasia as prescribed by the principal investigator or veterinarian.
6. Identifies problems and reports them to the supervisor or manager. 
7. Supports research staff by providing quality care of research animals.
8. Demonstrates knowledge of rules and regulations.

Other Duties

1. Operates cage washing equipment and hydropac machine. The position may perform other duties such as receiving animals. More complex duties may involve updating and maintaining animal records and administering injections. The position may also perform the duties of a Tech I when needed.

Competencies    

1. Accountability: Accepts full responsibility for self and contribution as a team member; displays honesty and truthfulness; confronts problems quickly; displays a strong commitment to organizational success and inspires others to commit to goals; demonstrates a commitment to National Jewish Health.
2. Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures. 
3. Attention to Detail: Accomplishing tasks by considering all areas involved, no matter how small; showing concern for all aspects of the job; accurately checking processes and tasks; being watchful over a period of time. Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed. 
4. Champion of Change: Facilitating the implementation and acceptance of change within the workplace. Cooperates with others to accomplish common goals; works with employees within and across his/her department to achieve shared goals; treats others with dignity and respect and maintains a friendly demeanor; values the contributions of others.
5. Collaboration/Teamwork: Cooperates with others and accomplish common goals; works with employees within and across his/her department to achieve shared goals; treats others with dignity and respect and maintains a friendly demeanor; values the contributions of others. 

Supervisory or Managerial Responsibility    

None

Travel

None

Core Values    

1. Be available to work as scheduled and report to work on time.
2. Be willing to accept supervision and work well with others.
3. Be well groomed, appropriately for your role and wear ID Badge visibly.
4. Be in compliance with all departmental and institutional policies, the Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct and completes NetLearning by due date annually.
5. Fosters an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission of the institution.
6. Adheres to safe working practices and at all times follows all institutional and departmental safety policies and procedures. 
7. Wears appropriate PPE as outlined by the infection control policies and procedures.
8. Demonstrates compliance with all state, federal and all other regulatory agency requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Education: High school graduate or equivalent preferred.
2. Work Experience: A minimum of one (1) year of experience as a BRC Husbandry Technician I preferred.  
3. Special Training, Certification or Licensure: AALAS certification preferred.

Salary Range: $20.00 - $23.00

Benefits
At National Jewish Health, we recognize that our outstanding faculty and staff are the essence of our organization. For every aspect of health care, our employees are our greatest asset. With that in mind, we have designed a valuable, comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees and their families.

• Comprehensive Medical Coverage: Multiple Cigna health plans for Colorado, regional office and remote employees. Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) available to pair with some plans.
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO accruals to use for vacation and sick days, and six paid holidays, all compliant with Colorado state sick leave regulations.
• Dental & Vision Plans: Coverage effective the first of the month after hire.
• Retirement Savings: 403(b) plan with employer contributions after two years.
• Wellness Incentives: Earn up to $200 annually for preventive health activities.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,250 annually for full-time and part-time employees.
• Child Care Assistance: Childcare Flex Spending Account (FSA) with annual employer contribution.
• Loan Forgiveness: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer.
• Disability & Life Insurance: Employer-paid plans and optional buy-up choices.
• Voluntary Benefits: Full suite of coverage options such as Accident, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Plan
• Exclusive Discounts: Savings on local services, insurance, and RTD bus passes.
   

Application Deadline: This position will be open for a minimum of three days and until a top applicant is identified.