Cage Wash Assistant - Office Of Lab Animal Resources - Health Sciences Center

The Office of Laboratory Animal Resources (OLAR) at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Cage Wash Assistant.

About the Opportunity

As a Cage Wash Assistant, you will perform cage washing, cage processing, cage assembly, autoclaving, caging and equipment logistics, sanitization, housekeeping, record keeping and materials management in OLAR.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week

• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)

• 15 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)

• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)

• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits

• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.

• Wellness programs

PAY GRADE: 7

What you'll do:

Cage Wash & Autoclave

• Receive soiled cages into cage wash area.

• Perform pre-cleaning of cages, disassemble cages as necessary to prepare for loading into automated cage washing machines.

• Load cages into automated cage washing machines.

• Remove clean cages from automated cage washing equipment, add bedding, and reassemble cages.

• Autoclave pertinent equipment.

• Fill orders for processed cages and equipment for specific work areas based on input from animal care technicians and supervisors.

• Perform all duties as directed by supervisor and in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Preventative Maintenance, Sanitizing and Record Keeping

• Perform preventative maintenance, start up and shut down of equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures.

• Assess daily cage washing and cage processing equipment for proper operation.

• Sanitize/disinfect related work areas daily.

• Assess and maintain records of sanitization and effectiveness of cage washing and sanitizing processes in accordance with SOP's.

• Notify Supervisor of any abnormalities in the physical environment or equipment in cage wash operations.

Storage & Supply

• Keep vivarium common use supply levels/storage areas adequately maintained.

• Keep areas clean and organized.

• Receive and store incoming supplies.

• Perform laundry and general custodial duties to support OLAR operations.

• Ensure adequate supplies of cages are available and assembled for husbandry staff.

• Ensure cage storage areas are adequately stocked with clean supplies.

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 0-6 months relevant experience preferred.