Position Title: Vivarium Operations Associate I
Work Location: Cambridge, MA 02139
Assignment Duration: 6 Months
Work Schedule: 7AM to 3 PM EST (Monday to Sunday) Days are not fixed
Work Arrangement: Onsite
 
Position Summary: This role is an experienced animal care and vivarium operations position responsible for supporting research by providing high quality & consistent animal care/husbandry, vivarium operational service support and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards within a multi-building, multi-discipline research program.
 
Key Responsibilities:

• Principally responsible for daily husbandry to animals (predominantly rodents, some small animal USDA), clinical observations, maintenance of the animal facilities (sanitation of animal rooms & equipment), receipt of incoming animals & supplies, fulfilling research requests, animal transfers and relocations.
• Often responsible for ensuring compliance with all institutional and regulatory protocols, policies, and guidelines. Maintenance of relevant facility/animal records. Make independent decisions regarding operational standards/situations.
• Responsible for pursing continuous learning/professional development opportunities and enhancing/expanding skill set as time allows.
• Driven by the needs of our scientific partner/collaborator, limited routine technical procedures on animals may also be assigned.
• Other duties and responsibilities as may be required.

 
Qualification & Experience:

• GED or High School degree required, 2-year degree in Veterinary Technology, 4-year Science degree, or a combination of experience with higher education preferred
• ALAT Certification desirable or pursued after start
• Working knowledge of federal, state, local (Animal Welfare) laws and departmental SOPs
• Thorough understanding and comprehension of operational standards, processes, equipment, etc. as they relate to operational responsibilities
• English
• Strong experience (2 – 4 years) working with animals or performing animal husbandry in a research setting.
• Qualified candidates will have a strong commitment to providing quality research support, be dedicated to providing consistent, humane animal care in accordance with Laboratory Animal Care regulations/standards. Candidates must be reliable, independent, work well in a dynamic, fast-paced team environment and have well developed interpersonal & communication skills.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and move heavy objects. Must be able work from a standing position for prolonged time periods and perform repetitive motion tasks. Able to work weekends, holidays and during inclement weather.
• Strong commitment to providing humane, consistent, and high quality daily care to research animals
• Strong interpersonal skills (transparency, professionalism, communication)
• Strong sense of personal accountability, reliability and integrity
• Team-oriented and interactive. Fosters peer/team development and performance.
• Organized, effective time management, detail-oriented, thorough and consistent
• Ability to independently identify and resolve standard vivarium operational issues/challenges
• Self-starter requiring no daily oversight
• Open to supporting transitional operations and schedule changes
• Committed to professional development and continuous learning
• Thorough knowledge of animal care expectations/responsibilities
• Knowledge of facility operational parameters and standards
• Recognition of typical/atypical animal health and behaviors
• Effective time management/prioritization for operational expectations/ responsibilities
• Knowledge of Federal, state and local Animal Welfare regulations and recommendations
• ALAT or higher certification desirable
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal required, presentation desirable)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Outlook required, database use desirable
• Able to lift 50 lbs., move heavy objects, work from a standing position for prolonged periods and perform repetitive motion tasks
• Able to perform standard animal care responsibilities.
• Able to work weekends, holidays and during inclement weather

 
 
At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws. This position’s starting pay is: $ 21.42/hr.