Principal Animal Technician - DLAM

Under the
supervision of the area supervisor, the Principal Animal Technician (PAT) acts
as a facility leader within the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM).
The PAT typically oversees the daily work activities of a group of typically 3
or more FTE employees and assist with the recommendations for staff performance
evaluations, hiring, and coaching. The PAT in addition may head projects that
require a higher level of technical skill. Performs routine animal husbandry
and/or cage wash tasks at the operative level, including Cage wash &
Biosecurity & Hazard Containment (Haz Con) areas as needed. Performs
routine animal husbandry tasks including cleaning, watering, feeding, and
grooming of common laboratory animals following department procedures and
guidelines of the American Association of Laboratory Animal Sciences Manual for
Laboratory Technicians; develops and implements proper processes, personnel
training, equipment checks and maintenance, area maintenance, transportation of
cages and caging accessories between buildings within campus, and serves as a
backup for planned and unplanned employee absences. Under the direction of the
area supervisor, conducts quality assurance checks in the assigned support
areas to verify compliance with internal SOPs, WI, forms as well as with UCLA
and extramural regulations that govern cage wash operations in an animal care
and use program. Overtime, holiday, and weekend work may be required.

Salary Range: $31.34
- $41.36 Hourly

All Required:

• At least 3
  years of experience working in animalrelated animal care.
• 
  Valid California driver's
  license, a driving record in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or
  enrollment in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.
• 
  Comprehensive
  knowledge of animal husbandry procedures to care for laboratory animals in an
  experimental environment attested by AALAS at the ALAT level or higher.
• 
  Knowledge of
  habits and appearances of laboratory animals to notice deviations from normal.
• 
  Ability to
  troubleshoot issues and implement strategies to address them. Skill in handling
  a variety of animals in a variety of situations sufficient to prevent injury or
  distress to the animal or self.
• 
  Ability to lift
  50pound bags of feed, 60-70pound animals, and push 200-300pound cage racks
  of animals.
• 
  Full knowledge
  of disinfection, sanitation, and cleaning agents; ability to use cleaning and
  sanitizing materials and techniques to maintain a healthful environment.
• 
  Ability to head
  projects that require higher technical skill. Knowledge and skills working with
  Microsoft Office and other basic processors.
• 
  Ability to
  euthanize rats and mice using CO
  chambers, follow required procedures, confirm death, and properly label and
  dispose of euthanized animals, including biohazardous animals.
• 
  Knowledge of
  contaminationcontrol practices, including engineering, administrative, and
  procedural controls for pathogen containment; disinfection and wastehandling
  methods; and work in Hazcon and biocontainment animal facilities up to BSL2
  with BSL3 practices.
• 
  Knowledge of
  and ability to accurately follow all SOPs associated with a GLP study,
  including protocolrequired and GLP documentation procedures.
• 
  Ability to
  train staff members and serve as a mentor. Skill in motivating others and
  stimulating effective action.
• 
  Husbandry and
  cagewash services as operationally needed.
• 
  Ability to
  effectively communicate in English, verbally and in writing, with the Animal
  Care Supervisor and veterinarian, other campus teams/offices, and external
  vendors.