Animal Technician (9525C), Office of Laboratory Animal Care #88380

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Departmental Overview

The Office of Laboratory Animal Care (OLAC) is responsible for managing a centralized program of animal care and use on the UC Berkeley campus. The department consists of veterinary, administrative and animal husbandry personnel.

Position Summary

Under close supervision, the Animal Technician will perform routine animal husbandry tasks to include the cleaning, feeding, and watering of laboratory animals; the cleaning of cages/enclosures, related ancillary equipment; and the maintenance of animal care areas on the UC Berkeley campus.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is September 7, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

65%

• Operate a cage washer for cleaning and sanitizing animal cages and cage supplies through automatic and manual processes.
• Operate a sterilizer machine in order to sterilize caging and equipment for the animals.
• Dispose of animal refuse and soiled bedding properly.
• Clean and maintain animal care areas by scrubbing down the ceilings, walls and floors at prescribed intervals following departmental procedures and training.

30%

• Perform routine animal husbandry tasks including cleaning, watering, feeding and grooming of laboratory animals per recommended guidelines and regulations.
• Clean and repair cages/enclosures and related ancillary equipment following departmental procedures.
• Observe animals daily and report animal health concerns or abnormalities to the veterinary staff promptly.
• Complete all required documentation completely and contemporaneously.
• Maintain documentation, reports and logs including animal cage cards, inventory records, room environment reports, environmental enrichment logs, cage washing and autoclaving logs.
• Perform euthanasia on rodents under the direction of the veterinary staff.
• Perform other duties as requested or assigned by the supervisor.

5%

• Attend and participate in on the job and classroom training.
• Complete all assigned computer-based safety and professional development training by predetermined due dates.
• Communicate procedural questions and self-identified training deficiencies to immediate supervisor and training staff.
• Provide procedural mentoring to other staff as instructed by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications

• Working knowledge of hygienic principles.
• Applies specialized knowledge of animal husbandry procedures to ensure that research animals are being cared for in accordance with NIH, OSHA, USDA and AWA guidelines and regulations.
• Applies knowledge of and/or ability to learn individual facility SOP's, Working Instructions and Guidelines and ensures that they are being properly implemented.
• Skill in providing humane care and maintenance to several species of animals and providing proper restraint for several species of animals.
• Skill in reading English and numbers to be able to follow instructions, maintain records and identify specific animals.
• Ability to work in an animal research environment which requires continuous contact with animals.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pound bags of feed and bedding for animals. Ability to push up to 300 pound cage racks on wheels.
• Ability to understand and/or ability to learn the established guidelines for humane care and welfare of laboratory animals as described by "Guide for The Care and Use of Laboratory Animal."
• Ability to euthanize rats and mice using CO2 chambers. Must be able to follow the procedures for euthanasia including the use of the CO2 chamber, as well as be able to ascertain that death has occurred. Knowledge of appropriate labeling and disposal of the animals euthanized, including bio-hazardous animals.
• Basic computer skills to enter animal health reports, respond to email and complete required online training modules.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of and the ability to apply the concept of contamination control practices including engineering, administrative and procedural controls for the containment of pathogens, including disinfection, and waste handling methods appropriate for work in bio-containment animal facilities up to BSL2 level with BSL3 practices.

Education / Training

• Graduation from high school; or an equivalent combination of education, experience and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position. In all of the above minimum qualifications, work experience evidencing reliability and the capacity to learn and assume responsibility for the routine animal caretaking functions may be substituted for high school education, on the basis of one year of work experience for one year of education. (Required)

Licenses / Certifications

• Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician certification from AALAS (Preferred).

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $28.08 (Step 1.0) - $32.05 (Step 4.0).

• This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Technical Unit (TX) between the University of California and the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/tx/index.html

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Physical Exam

Employment is contingent upon passing a physical exam.

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.