LACU Service Assistant - Temporary Help Pool

The program and facilities are fully accredited by an independent accrediting agency, the Association for Accreditation and Assessment of Laboratory Animal Care, International (AAALAC), and must always maintain compliance with federal laws and regulations (the Animal Welfare Act [AWA] and the Public Health Service Policy for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals [PHS Policy]). Every position, job function, work team, and work area is subject to external inspection and review by representatives from the accrediting and regulatory agencies.  The program is contained in over 70,000 net square feet of dedicated and specialized animal research space which supports $100,000,000 in funded biomedical research.  This Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (Materials Management and Maintenance) position functions as an integral part of the team that directly maintains this program and facilities.  This position serves as primary technician in the work unit with responsibilities encompassing materials management, transportation and maintenance.  Performs routine and specialized duties involving materials management, transportation, and routine and preventive maintenance necessary to support and maintain the highly specialized day-to-day operation of a research animal facility.
 

Schedules and performs the transportation of equipment, materials and supplies between animal facilities, including caging, feed, bedding, environmental enrichment, animal care equipment, and other supplies to ensure critical operation supplies are maintained and available at all operational sites within the program.

Schedules and participates in the completion of repairs to equipment, caging, and specialized   systems. Responsible for performing minor repairs, routine and preventive maintenance on caging systems, automated animal drinking water systems, and other animal care and animal facility equipment.  In conjunction with facility supervisors, coordinates major and minor service repairs. Assists Supervisor in coordinating maintenance activities for the laboratory animal facilities, including tracking progress of maintenance requests and assisting both UT and outside maintenance and repair personnel access to the facilities in accordance with departmental policies and guidelines. Assists Supervisor in tracking and maintenance of appropriate inventories of materials (diet, bedding, environmental enrichment, sanitization chemicals, equipment, etc.) necessary to maintain smooth daily operation of the facilities, in accordance with Regulatory Guidelines. May initiate procurement as approved by the Supervisor and will enter material orders.
 

Sanitizes transport vehicles and equipment as directed by Supervisor; performs minor repairs. Assist in maintaining inventory of supplies and equipment necessary for daily operation and use of animal facility. Receives and stores diets, bedding, environmental enrichment, caging equipment, personal protective equipment, materials and supplies.  Assists Supervisor maintaining records and quality control procedures to document appropriate equipment use.

Schedules and performs transportation of animals between the facilities.  Follows written Standard Operating Procedures to assure that animal transportation is compliant with Federal Standards and Guidelines.  Ensures that vehicles are appropriately sanitized between shipments in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and Federal Guidelines. Requires specific knowledge of animal handling and Federal
Regulations and Guidelines on transportation of animals.  Responsible for ensuring that animals are transported in accordance with regulations.  Demonstrates and exercises knowledge of appropriate sanitization practices and guidelines including cleaning and disinfection of vehicles, transportation equipment, and major equipment received into facilities.  Responsible for cleaning and disinfecting internal compartments of transport vehicles as necessary and maintaining appropriate documentation of procedures.

Coordinates receipt and storage of major equipment and bulk supplies, i.e. sanitization chemicals, bedding, diets and environmental enrichment.

Contributes to successful operation of unit by ensuring proper infrastructure is maintained.
Maintains supplies and equipment necessary for daily operation and maintenance of the work area and animal facility, e.g.,  disinfectants, sanitizers, and cleaners; cleaning implements such as mops, squeegees, brooms; automatic light timers; automatic water manifolds; air filters; ventilated animal racks; biological safety cabinets; laminar flow change stations.
        
Schedules and provides transportation of resources, equipment and supplies to other animal facilities (collaborating facilities) within the area, including the VA, the University of Memphis, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and similar institutions in the local and regional area. This includes driving university owned, leased, or rented vehicles to transport animals and other resources.  Regional transportation destinations are occasionally assigned and may involve out of state travel to location such as Mississippi State University or the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Assists Supervisor and other animal facility personnel in the procurement and transportation of equipment, materials and supplies from vendors in the local area.

Maintains transportation records, as needed, regarding use of University vehicles for materials and animal transport.

Oversees preventive maintenance and repairs of University vehicles.

Schedules and participates in equipment assembly, following manufacturer’s instructions.

Education - High school diploma or GED

Must have a clean driving record and a valid driver's license. Ability to use hands in a repetitive motion, good oral, written and observation skills. Standard repetitive work, involving straightforward application of work rules and procedures.  Must be able to follow instructions given by supervisor.  Must be able to follow written standard operating procedures. Must be able to work as a team member.  Must be able to communicate effectively with co-workers and supervisor.  Must have mechanical skills and general mechanical knowledge. Must be able to operate a delivery truck, van and pallet jack. Requires physical effort and ability to lift up to 50lbs.