Cagewash Technician I

The Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) Cagewash Technician will perform cagewash, equipment maintenance and sanitation activities.   

The candidate will: 
•    process soiled animal caging, sterilize and prepare clean caging and equipment for distribution within the animal facility  
•    operate and validate various types of cagewash equipment 
•    perform preventative maintenance and minor mechanical repairs to animal caging systems, sanitation and other equipment used to provide laboratory animal husbandry and care  
•    perform custodial duties including sweeping, mopping and scrubbing floors, removing trash, and cleaning equipment 
•    receive deliveries, reconcile orders and packing slips, organize, rotate and re-stock supply stations  
•    maintain logs of sanitation activities and verification of equipment function  

The successful candidate must consistently demonstrate positive interpersonal and customer service skills, be proficient with technology in order to use common applications (e.g. email, Microsoft Office, Pittworx), be available to work weekends and holidays, stand for extended periods of time, lift 50 pounds, push/pull heavy equipment and pass the mandatory criminal and social background checks.  Candidates working in the Rangos Research Building at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh will need to obtain Child Protection Clearances.  Vaccinations and TB testing may be required.    

Pay rate is $18.63/hour. 

Performs cagewash, sanitization, and equipment maintenance. Processes soiled animal bedding and waste, sterilizes and prepares clean caging, and maintains accurate logs. Performs routine preventative maintenance and minor mechanical repairs to equipment used in animal husbandry. Provides janitorial care for area. Processes deliveries; organizes stock and supply stations.

The employee must be able to:  

•    read, understand, and follow DLAR and other institutional guidance documents (SOPs, policies), including IACUC approved animal protocols when applicable  
•    follow written and verbal instructions 
•    demonstrate sufficient fine motor skill to manipulate animals and equipment; negotiate around equipment within close quarters; move between rooms and workspaces 
•    have sufficient visual acuity to recognize animals inadvertently left in cages as well as automated equipment notifications and printouts 
•    have sufficient audible acuity to hear equipment alarms and other warnings 
•    wear facility specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for extended periods of time required by the job duties based on risk assessment from EH&S 
•    work directly with live or dead animals and clean or soiled bedding and caging with reasonable accommodations if necessary 
•    accurately and legibly document written information in English in a timely manner, including electronic formats and applications (e.g., PRISM, CAMS) 
•    effective written and verbal communication in English, including the use of email 
•    receive vaccinations and health assessments, including TB testing, required to work in some animal holding or procedure areas in accordance with DLAR and/or EH&S policies and practices 
•    successfully enroll in the University of Pittsburgh Animal Exposure Surveillance Program (AESP) and other medical surveillance/immunization programs as dictated by current research activities 

The employee must be able to: 

•    stand for extended periods of time for the majority of the workday 
•    lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds including, but not limited to, caging and equipment, bags or boxes of animal diet and animal bedding 
•    operate flatbed hand trucks or pallet jacks to push/pull heavier objects or weights exceeding 50 pounds 
•    perform repetitive motion tasks that involve pushing, pulling, twisting, reaching, and/or bending 
•    physically handle and restrain a variety of small and large laboratory animals 
•    negotiate and navigate around animal facility caging, equipment, and the physical plant.