Animal Care Technician / Driver

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Operate a transport vehicle to pick up and deliver animals, data and/or supplies. Plan efficient routes, adjust driving to local traffic and weather, and ensure safety and animal welfare in transit.
• Transport animals between CBSET facilities and customers (~75% of time worked).
• Handle and restraining multiple species of animals, including large animals.
• Complete documentation required for procurement and transportation of animals per federal regulations and company SOPs and policies.
• Clean and sanitize animal transportation crates, transport van, housing and support areas (~25% of time worked).
• Clean and decontaminate transport vehicles and animal housing areas. Perform basic routine vehicle checks (fluid levels, tires, safety equipment).
• Assisting with facilities maintenance projects
• Perform observation of animals, including food consumption, health, animal welfare, and breeding.
• Replenish all PPE stations in the animal facility, hallways, ORs and OR conference rooms as needed.
• Assist with facilities maintenance projects.
• Assist, as needed, technical staff in departmental areas.
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
• Work effectively as a team member.
• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• High school or GED required, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A valid driver’s license with a clean, insurable driving record.
• Prior experience in veterinary or animal care, shelter environment, or laboratory animal husbandry. Experience with professional driving, routing, or transport is a strong plus.

Preferred:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Biology, or a related field is highly preferred.
• Certification: AALAS Certification (ALAT or LAT) is preferred.
• Experience in a CRO or GLP setting is preferred.
• Familiarity with the regulations surrounding animal transport is preferred.

TECHNICAL AND OPERATIONAL CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Animal Husbandry & Handling: Expertise in safe, positive and humane restraint and handling techniques for specific research models. Knowledge of species-specific nutritional, environmental, and enrichment needs.
• Sanitization: Understanding of biosecurity, specific pathogen free (SPF) protocols to prevent cross-contamination.
• Specialized Vehicle Operation: Competency in safely driving climate-controlled transport vehicles. Skill in securing animal cargo to minimize stress and physical transit risks.
• Clinical Observation: Ability to recognize subtle clinical signs of pain, distress, illness, or abnormal behavior in laboratory animals.
• Attention to Detail: Sharp focus when monitoring health parameters, checking cage cards, and verifying animal IDs during transfers.
• Communication & Collaboration: Clear communication skills for reporting health anomalies to veterinarians and coordinating delivery timelines with internal and external customers.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to perform laboratory procedures, which require, talking, hearing, standing or sitting for long periods of time, entering data into a computer, using appropriate instruments, reaching with hands and arms, working in narrow spaces, and wearing safety equipment (PPE) according to OSHA regulations and company standards.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to consistently lift and move at least 50 pounds unassisted, stand or walk for long shifts, and work around animal dander, noise, and variable outdoor weather conditions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Animal facility and laboratories with moderate noise possible.
• Working with potentially hazardous/noxious devices (e.g., needles, scalpel blades etc), chemicals (e.g., anesthetic gases, formalin, alcohols, xylenes, etc.) and/or radiation.
• General office working conditions.

COMMENTS:

• This position may require occasional duties on weekends and/or holidays.
• This position requires regular local travel between facilities. Long-distance travel may also be required on occasion.
• In general, the work shift will be ~6am-2pm, however, hours may vary.

WHAT CBSET OFFERS:

• The opportunity to contribute to the Veterinary Services and Technical Operations Team and support CBSET’s growth, development and reputation.
• Comprehensive benefits package.