Animal Caretaker Working Lead Non-Containment

Overview

Goldbelt Apex, a part of the Healthcare Technology Transformation Group, is a data-focused company dedicated to process and quality in every aspect. As experts in healthcare IT experts, Apex is committed to building systems for healthcare organizations to seamlessly communicate and exchange data across different systems and devices.

Summary:

The Animal Caretaker Working Lead (non-containment) shall lead employees in accomplishing daily work assignments providing animal husbandry support in Quarantine, Barrier, and ABSL-2 animal care and use areas. The Animal Caretaker Working Lead shall train and oversee their subordinates and ensure they select and apply appropriate procedures for the supported tasks, and assist in providing non-routine support, supporting changes in procedure, addressing problems, etc.

Work requires continuous standing and walking on concrete or hard surfaced floors, climbing, working in a bent position, and carrying materials up to 50 pounds. Greater strength, effort and agility are required in the handling, capturing, and restraining of the stronger, more active animals. Work, as performed, exposes incumbent to unpleasant odors and noises, and may require contact with unpredictable, ill-natured, stronger animals which pose greater risks of injury, bites, scratches, etc. There is a hazard of burns from autoclaves and ultra-violet lights and skin irritations from cleaning and decontaminating solutions. The incumbent must wear protective clothing or equipment (PPE) such as positive air pressure respirators or other personal protective equipment, for prolonged periods. Incumbent may work prolonged periods in auditory and physical isolation in a completely isolated containment suite which possesses risks to infection by highly infectious agents. Some of these agents can cause fatal diseases in humans if personnel become infected.

*Containment involves adhering to specific procedures and requirements designed to manage and protect sensitive information and materials in this role.

Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions:

• Shall assist or independently perform Transportation (Logistical) Services (Driver)/Animal Caretaker (Non-containment) tasks.
• Shall convey instructions, work sequence and deadlines received from the Contractor PM to subordinates.
• Shall demonstrate proper animal husbandry procedures IAW SOPs and work alongside subordinates.
• Shall ensure that PPE and supplies are available and restocked as necessary.
• Shall check Contract Employees' work while in-progress and upon completion for compliance with SOPs and Contract PM's instructions, work sequence, and suspenses. Contract Employee shall direct the correction of observed defects and report uncorrected defects to Contract PM.
• Shall assist in reviewing SOPs for all functions and activities performed by Contract Employees. Contract Employee shall assist preparation for oversight visits by any oversight body. Contract Employee shall assist the development of responses to remarks made during such visits or inspections as they pertain to Contractor Tasks.
  Assist the Contract PM with reviewing pending animal studies provided by the TPOC, advise the Contract PM regarding the animal husbandry personnel/facility/capability/equipment/supply resources necessary, advise the Contract PM regarding the resources on hand, advise the acquisition of resources not on hand, and ensure resources are in position where and when required.
• Shall inform the Contract PM of the status and progress of work supported by Contract Employees, causes of delays, and overall work operations and problems.
• Shall apply practical knowledge and animal husbandry expertise to resolve problems independently.
• Shall independently plan the work and provides the needed personnel and supplies utilizing animal protocol and other guidance information as available. Will notify Contract PM of any additional support needed to fulfill tasks.
• Assist the Contract PM to schedule subordinates ensure that mission requirements are met outside normal business hours.
• Maintain animal husbandry equipment/supply inventories, ensure supplies are used in a first-in/first-out manner, and provide inventories to the Contract PM. Contract Employee shall provide notice to the Contract PM when any equipment/supply needs to be reordered. Contract Employee shall anticipate lead-time so no shortages in feed, enrichment items, bedding, sanitation supplies and other equipment/supplies used for animal husbandry shall occur. After approval for ordering items, Contract Employee shall coordinate with the VMD's purchasing agent to ensure prompt notice of receipt of items. Contract Employee shall ensure subordinates review, sign, date, and forward all receiving documents, invoices, and/or packing slips to the VMD purchasing agent, and immediately report discrepancies to the VMD purchasing agent.Provides daily care and husbandry for research animals.

Qualifications

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Apply practical knowledge and technical expertise to resolve problems independently and in cooperation with other personnel.
• Shall work in Microsoft Word, SharePoint, MS Teams, Excel, Outlook and other software systems as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) certification or higher, as defined by AALAS, is required prior to or within twelve (12) months of hire.
• At least five (5) years' animal husbandry experience in support of NHPs in a research setting is required.
• Experience in Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) is desirable.
• Provide support in Quarantine, Barrier, and ABSL-2 animal care and use areas.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• US Citizenship Required.
• Variable work hours, to include 24/7 coverage, evenings/nights, weekends, Government holidays, and during unforeseen closures or circumstances shall apply, as requested to meet mission requirements.
• Must be able to successfully obtain and maintain a favorably adjudicated Secret security clearance eligibility, with no access to classified. *NACLC/ANACI is acceptable if completed within 5 years prior to enrollment.
• Ability to successfully pass a drug test.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with rodents, swine, rabbits, and ferrets in a research setting is highly desirable.
• GLP experience is desirable.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $28.00 hourly.

At Goldbelt, we value and reward our team's dedication and hard work. We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, tax-deferred savings options, supplementary benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.