Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.
About Rice:
Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name - RICE - Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:

The Animal Resources Facility department is the backbone support for the groundwork in research developments and innovations by providing basic care for the animals involved in research and teaching at Rice University. Under the direction of the animal research facility manager, the animal care technician is responsible for delivering exceptional animal care to the research animals at Rice University. She/he performs daily animal care and husbandry of laboratory animals in a research environment and performs basic evaluation of the levels of sanitation/sterilization. The animal care technician is responsible for performing animal technical procedures and providing animal related care as directed by the attending veterinarian or designee. She/he supports operations in the facility and all species in accordance with standard operating procedures and training to ensure compliance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the Animal Welfare Act and Regulations as well as all applicable federal, state, local and institutional laws, regulations, policies.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who has strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to interact with staff, and communicate animal health issues, compliance issues, training, facility issues, etc. in a professional collegial manner with Rice staff members.

Workplace Requirements:

This role is classified as an essential position, requiring on-site presence to effectively carry out its vital functions.

Hiring Range: $15.72 - $18.08 per hour

*Non-Exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• HS Diploma or equivalent
• Two or more (2+) years of related experience handling multiple animal species
  
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted

Skills:

• Ability to use word processing and spreadsheet software, Microsoft Office Suite
• Basic math and research skills
• Good organization skills and strong attention to detail
• Ability to listen and communicate effectively (verbal, written)
• Ability to work independently and in team environments
• Ability to conduct basic evaluation and analysis of data
• Ability to maintain quality, safety and/or infection control standards

Preferences:

• Good computer skills (e.g. able to scan barcodes, sync PDA's for submitting Health Surveillance Reports electronically, utilize email account for work-related communications, follow online training)
• Ability to communicate animal health information to appropriate personnel, maintain legible records for permanent status
• General knowledge of feeding, caging, and space requirements for multiple species of laboratory animals used in research
• Able to identify animal health concerns and regulatory compliance for their assigned areas and to report conditions to veterinary staff, researchers, and compliance staff
• Full knowledge of disinfection, sanitation, and cleaning agents; knowledge and ability to use cage washers for cleaning and autoclaves for sterilization of cages
• Able to follow instructions
• General knowledge of federal and other licensing agencies' regulations

Essential Functions:

• Assists in conducting research and experiments (e.g, performs technical procedures with supervision, health monitoring, weaning, animal handling, and sexing of laboratory animals)
• Collects and tracks basic data using spreadsheets and database
• Assists in the laboratory setup and daily care for various species of animals (e.g., daily observation, feeding and watering, sanitizing and/or sterilizing animal cages and equipment, exercising and providing environmental enrichment)
• Prepares procurement requests and orders materials and supplies, manages sample and stock database, sets up and manages experiments, and maintains research results for publications
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions:

• Establishes working relationships and communicates effectively with Rice University research staff, animal research facility manager, and attending veterinarian
• Reviews, comprehends, and complies with all Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) and quality assurance standards pertaining to specific area
• Monitors daily animal health/welfare while performing daily animal health observations
• Performs animal husbandry duties to maintain quality/health of research animals includes daily bottle/cage checks; provide appropriate food/water; cage changing/cleaning
• Assists with restraint, handling and manipulation of various animal species as assigned
• Disposes of animal carcasses following established procedures
• Observes and reports problems involving animal care equipment and environmental support systems
• Maintains accurate departmental animal housing/support area record keeping
• Records animal health concerns per SOP and/or specified protocols
• Receives, inspects and puts away received incoming animals
• Operates equipment and uses supplies according to safety guidelines
• Sanitizes facilities, animal housing units, and ancillary animal care equipment
• Performs general housekeeping and adhere to safety procedures

Rice University HR | Benefits: https: //knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
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Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University's Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.