Animal Care Specialist

Classification & Regular Hours

Hours per Week: 37.5

Salary Grade: Level O

Please note, this is a wholly grant funded position.

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

The Robarts Research Institute within the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University has made its mission to accelerate medical discovery. Through a powerful integration of basic and clinical research, we are driving major advances that impact on many of today's most devastating diseases.

Responsibilities

The Animal Care Specialist will ensure that animals are cared for according to Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) and American College of Veterinary Services (ACVS) guidelines. The role will play an active role in all aspects of animal care and experimental procedures, including, but not limited to accurate and timely colony maintenance and genotyping. They will ensure that all staff and students performing procedures have the proper training and are qualified to do so by ACVS. The Animal Care Specialist will also ensure that all equipment and supplies for animal surgery, imaging experiments and histological preparations are available and in working order.

Qualifications

Education:

• 2 year Veterinary Technician Diploma
• Registered Laboratory Animal Technician (RLAT; preferred) or Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)

Experience:

• 3 years’ experience as Veterinary technician in a research environment managing and maintaining rodent colonies
• Experience with stereotaxic surgery in rats
• At least 1 year of general lab experience

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to understand and apply policies, SOPs, instructions and applicable Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, meet tight deadlines and adapt to growth and change
• Ability to write clear, concise procedural documentation and keep up to date inventories/records
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, follow through on work assignments and achieve results
• Proven ability and natural inclination to interact with people in a professional, respectful and diplomatic manner
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and set appropriate priorities in a fast-paced setting
• Ability to work well under pressure and use good judgment in assessing difficult situations
• Ability to work outside of regular business hours to accommodate laboratory activities-including post-operative monitoring of animals
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Demonstrated experience of behaviour testing of mice and/or rats required
• Ability to perform the physical demands of the job (perform repetitive tasks, good manual dexterity and eyesight)
• Ability and willingness to stay abreast of technological developments
• Intermediate computer skills including spreadsheet design, work processing and database management

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.