The Office of Laboratory Animal Resources (OLAR) has an opening for a full-time University Staff (unclassified) Animal Care I position.

The University of Colorado Denver l Anschutz Medical Campus seeks individuals with demonstrated commitment to creating an inclusive learning and working environment. We value the ability to engage effectively with students, faculty and staff of diverse backgrounds.

Who We Are:
A national leader in health care and life sciences, CU Anschutz is the only comprehensive academic health sciences center in Colorado and the largest in the Rocky Mountain region. Located in Aurora, Colo., it is one of the newest education, research and patient care facilities in the world. With six schools and colleges, CU Anschutz trains the health sciences workforce of the future by blending education, research and clinical care all in one place. This strategic collaboration among diverse health care fields allows knowledge to travel directly from the research bench to the patient’s bedside. Read CU Anschutz Quick Facts here.

Job Summary:
The purpose of the Animal Care I position is to provide routine and specialized care for a wide variety of species of large and small laboratory animals which are used by scientists for biomedical research and education in the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Nursing at the University of Colorado Denver.

This full-time position will perform tasks that are structured and designed to provide training and experience in the research animal care occupation. Tasks are performed under direct supervision, detailed instruction, and guidance.

Examples of Work Performed:

• Change, clean, sanitize, and/or disinfect animal cages, pens racks animal support areas, feeding devices, watering devices, and all animal contact surfaces using appropriate methods
• Evaluate the basic health status of animals and reports abnormalities to the appropriate personnel
• Clean/sanitize at regular intervals direct and indirect animal contact surfaces by washing with appropriate detergents/disinfectants
• Record daily animal care activities on room check-sheets, enter work activities into database, and contact appropriate personnel regarding dead/sick animals via e-mail or phone
• Procure and transport animal feed and supplies
• Record animal census
• Collect soiled animal bedding and other wastes and transports to designated waste disposal sites (i.e. cage wash room or dumpster)
• Procure animal feed, bedding and supplies from appropriate support areas and transport to required use site
• Weigh, administer medications, breed, record breeding status data, euthanize, restrain, and transport laboratory animals as directed by supervisor or veterinarian
• Scan cage cards to record animal census in the animal rooms and posts reports on a weekly basis
• Select, prepare, dispense and utilize hazardous chemicals and disinfectants according to manufacturer’s instructions in cleaning and sanitizing animal rooms, racks, cages and pens and animal support areas
• Operate mechanical equipment such as floor buffers, high pressure washers, laundry equipment, and environmental monitoring equipment for cleaning/sanitizing purposes
• Lubricate and conduct minor repairs on animal care equipment
• Clean/sanitize/disinfects animal holding rooms, procedure rooms, support rooms
• On occasion may be required to drive a University vehicle to transport animals in cases of emergency
• Perform related work as assigned or required

This description is a summary only and is describing the general level of work being performed, it is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change from time to time and/or based on business need. We reserve the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the supervisor and/or hiring authority. 

Salary and Benefits:

• The hiring salary for this position has been established at $26,700 – $37,692, and is commensurate with skills and experience.
• This position is eligible for overtime compensation
• Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
• Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits.
• Total Compensation Calculator: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/total-compensation

Diversity and Equity:

• Please click here for information on disability accommodations: http://www.ucdenver.edu/about/departments/HR/jobs/Pages/JobsatCUDenver.aspx
• The University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty and administrative staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities and all veterans. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.
• The University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Qualifications

• At least one (1) year of experience caring for, feeding, or providing health care for animals in a veterinary laboratory, breeding, or boarding facility
• Substitution: College coursework in veterinary technology, animal science, biology, or a related field of study related to the work assignment may substitute year-for-year for the general experience

Conditions of Employment:

• PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will be responsible for travel expenses related to the interview process and any relocation expenses, if applicable
• Must be willing and able to sit, stoop, kneel and balance on an occasional basis, with or without accommodation
• Must be willing and able to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 100 lbs. on an occasional basis, with or without accommodation
• Must be willing and able to use color and peripheral vision on an occasional basis
• Must be willing and able to stand, walk, climb stairs, crouch and squat on a frequent basis, with or without accommodation
• Must be willing and able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. on a frequent basis, with or without accommodation
• Must be willing and able to use near vision, far vision and depth perception on a frequent basis, with or without accommodation
• Must be willing and able to type/enter data on a frequent basis, with or without accommodation
• Must be willing and able to bend and reach above shoulders on a constant basis, with or without accommodation
• Must be willing and able to lift and carry up to 10 lbs. on a constant basis, with or without accommodation
• Must be willing and able to handle, finger and feel objects on a constant basis, with or without accommodation
• Must be willing and able to use hearing and verbal communication on a constant basis
• Must be willing and able to work around chemicals and solvents
• Must be willing able to work around noise and vibrations
• Must be willing able to walk on uneven surfaces and work in small, confined spaces
• Must be willing and able to operate moving equipment/vehicles and work around machinery
• Must be willing and able to work in hazardous conditions
• Must be willing and able to wear appropriate respiratory protection
• Must be willing and able to euthanize small animals
• Must possess and maintain a current, valid State of Colorado Driver’s License by the time of hire
• Must be willing and able to work straight or rotating shifts, weekends and holidays
• NOTE: This position has been designated as essential personnel, “Subject to call 24 hours per day, seven days per week” and may be required to carry a pager. Position may also be required to “Stay over late” or “Come in early” to “Cover” shifts, as needed and may be required to respond to any emergencies as needed. If hired, you will be required to provide effective off-hours phone contact info for emergency call-in purposes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience entering data into a database
• Experience keeping activity logs and managing inventory
• Experience handling rodents (rats and mice)
• Experience in an animal research facility
• Experience operating complex machinery

Competencies: 

• Excellent oral communication skills with the ability to exchange and collect information and handle stressful situations in a calm and professional manner
• Ability to communicate effectively in written form which includes the ability to check for typographical, grammatical and spelling errors
• Ability to enter data in a database
• Ability to handle rodents
• Knowledge of an animal research facility
• Ability to maintain an activity log
• Ability to work with complex machinery
• Planning and organization skills
• Mechanical ability
• Physical ability

Special Instructions to Applicants: Required Application Materials: To apply, please visit: http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach: 1. A letter of application which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications 2. A current CV/resume 3. List of three to five professional references (we will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references) Questions should be directed to: Maria Montero and e-mail of Maria.Montero@CUAnschutz.edu

Application Materials Required: Cover Letter, Resume/CV, List of References

Application Materials Instructions: Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers Application Deadline: July 12th, 2021.