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Position Title:Animal Caretaker I

Job Group:Merit

Required Minimum Qualifications:• Ability to read, write, and follow instructions. • Possession of a valid state or commercial driver's license, as required.

Preferred Qualifications:Experience working with animals in a laboratory setting

Experience handling and/or restraining animals

Experience administering medications

Experience maintaining and/or managing records

Job Description:

Are you someone who thrives in a dynamic environment where every day brings new challenges? Do you seek a role that offers excellent work-life balance and the chance to work in a climate-controlled facility?

If so, Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR) with Iowa State University is currently seeking applicants for an Animal Caretaker I!

The LAR team plays a crucial role in upholding the university’s critical academic and research missions by supporting the highest levels of humane animal care.

Under direct supervision, performs the work necessary in handling, feeding, and caring for animals and animal facilities in compliance with federal, state, and/or university regulations.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Feeds and waters animals including the mixing and preparing of feed for standard or special diets.

• Weighs animals, keeping records on weights of feed and animal in coordination with the feeding program.

• Grooms, handles, and restrains animals.

• Checks newly purchased animals for conformance to order specifications.

• Cleans and disinfects animal enclosures, isolation rooms, buildings, and equipment, adhering to established policies for maintaining pathogen free environments and containment of animals exposed to infectious diseases.

• Operates mechanical equipment, such as autoclaves, ventilated racks, and cage washers.

• Checks for and reports failures in heating and ventilation systems to supervisor.

• Observes animals for signs of phenotype, illness, injury, or stress.

• Reports observations to supervisor.

• Assists in routine veterinary treatments or restraint of animals for experimental purposes.

• Maintains and performs minor repairs to animal equipment, enclosures, and animal facility.

• Reports major building repairs or malfunctions to facility supervisor.

• Transports animals, equipment, and supplies using carts or motorized vehicles.

• In animal facility, may use ventilated racks and biological safety cabinets for isolation and containment activities.

• Under direction of properly trained personnel, may euthanize animals in accordance to standard procedures.

• Under direction of principal investigator and with adequate training may be responsible for maintaining breeding colonies.

• Maintains the following records: feed, animal inventory numbers, veterinary treatment, animal health status observations, animal room environment observations and other record keeping duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of standard operating procedures for laboratory animal care or livestock care, as applicable.

• Ability to learn and apply federal, state, and/or university regulations regarding animal care and use in research and teaching.

• Ability to understand, communicate, and execute oral and written instructions.

• Ability to keep accurate records.

• Ability to recognize changes in conditions of animals and animal room environment, malfunctioning equipment, and unsafe conditions.

• Ability to construct and maintain related equipment and facilities.

• Ability to lift and/or move 50-100 pounds.

• Ability to perform physical labor such as restraining animals, loading and unloading supplies and animals, and standing for prolonged periods of time.

• Ability to work around noise, dust, odors, fumes, and extremes in temperature.

This position requires weekend and holiday hours, scheduled on a rotational basis within the team.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship.

Appointment Type:Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Full time

Pay Grade:7611a

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)• Life insurance and long-term disability• Flexible Spending Accounts• Various voluntary benefits and discounts• Employee Assistance Program• Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date: May 1, 2025

Posting Close Date:May 11, 2025

Job Requisition Number:R16907

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State , we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/diversity-and-inclusion/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, 515 294-7612, email [email protected] .

If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485 . Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485 . TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942 .

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.