Definition
Care for and propagate animals for laboratory use; provide custodial care for animals and animal facilities.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Under general supervision, perform preventive animal health maintenance duties such as tooth cleaning and nail trimming. Independently perform routine animal care duties such as preparing animal quarters in accordance with specified procedures.
Typical Work
Breed, raise and tend animals such as white mice, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, cattle, horses, pigs, monkeys, etc.;
Maintain inoculated animals separately from uncontaminated ones; observe precautions to avoid cross-contamination; label all cages with proper codes;
Observe animals; recognize and report early manifestations of disease such as labored breathing or lethargy and sores;
Restrain animals for examination or injection; collect urine and/or fecal samples as directed;
Perform preventive animal health care duties such as tooth cleaning and nail trimming; treat animals for external parasites;
Perform duties of Animal Technician 1;
Operate cage washers, autoclaves and/or incinerators in accordance with established procedures;
May administer medications orally, topically or ophthalmically;
May collect basic examination information such as temperature, pulse, respiration, weight; record as needed;
May assist in research experiment activities;
Perform related duties as required.
Legal Requirement(s)
There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.
Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.
Desirable Qualifications
One year of experience as an Animal Technician 1 or equivalent;
OR
Six months of experience as an Animal Technician 1 or equivalent and satisfactory completion of an approved animal technician training course;
OR
Six months of experience as an Animal Technician 1 or equivalent and two years of college with major study in animal or life science.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
Class Specification History
Revise Class: 12-07-78
Revise Class: 10-22-84
Revise MQ: 7-2-90
Revised new class code: (formerly 4725) effective July 1, 2007.
Base range salary adjustment adopted 6/30/2017, effective 7/1/2017; 26 increased to 28.
Base range salary adjustment adopted 6/13/2019, effective 7/1/2019.
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.