This job was posted by https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov : For more information, please see: https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov/jobs/12521247 Animal Caretaker - Animal Care Program

Animal Care Program

Job Summary

The animal caretaker performs routine duties and responsibilities related to the handling, feeding, and general care of animals and equipment used in research and teaching projects. Animal Caretakers maintain proper sanitization standards and assists investigators and clinicians with routine procedures.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides basic animal care, such as:

  feeding and watering animals

  handling and restraining animals as directed

  transferring animals, equipment, and supplies

  grooming, bathing, or exercising animals

  disposing of animal carcasses

  observing animals for overt signs of disease

• Maintains sanitation and animal care equipment of the facility, such as:

  removing excreta and debris from cages, animal rooms, and related areas

  using detergents and disinfectants to clean and sanitize cages, animal rooms, and related areas and/or items

  assisting in more advanced duties (such as servicing of cages and equipment)

• Assists with advanced animal care procedures and treatments.

• May provide elementary assistance to facility users in simple technical procedures and record keeping, following detailed instructions (such as maintaining animal and experiment records or collecting specimens for diagnostic or environmental control procedures).

• Assists in receiving, storing, and rotating feed, bedding, and other animal care supplies and equipment.

• Performs other duties as assigned

Physical Demands

Walking : Frequently

Stairs : Occasionally

Lifting/Carrying : Frequently

Pushing/Pulling : Frequently

Balancing : Frequently

Bending/Stooping : Frequently

Kneeling : Frequently

Squatting/Crouching : Frequently

Working Conditions

Extreme cold : Occasionally

Extreme heat : Occasionally

Humidity : Occasionally

Wet : Occasionally

Noise : Occasionally

Hazards : Occasionally

Fumes/Particles/Allergens : Frequently

Toxic, Caustic Chemicals : Occasionally

Temperature Changes : Occasionally

Inclement Weather : Occasionally

Additional Physical Demands

Work is performed in indoor animal quarters, laboratories, classrooms, and offices. There are inherent risks to the work assigned such as animal bites, scratches, or kicks. The wearing of Personal Protective Attire (PPE) is required such as but not necessarily limited to gloves, lab coat or uniform, dust mask or respirator. It may be required that the employee shower upon arrival or prior to leaving a work environment. Moderate and occasional physical exertion including bending, stooping, and moving items weighing upwards to 80 pounds. Animal carcasses weighing over 80 pounds are moved with assistance, pushing, and pulling items with cart assistance. Environmental conditions may include exposure to such things as dust, high humidity, odors, excreta, noise, and debris. Position involves remaining stationary for extended periods.

Travel Requirements

5% Animal Caretakers may be required to travel to other DAR facilities.

Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Willingness and ability to work with laboratory animals
• Ability to work effectively with others
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions or materials
• Ability to maintain simple records
• Ability to apply basic arithmetic skills
• Ability to detect marked signs of illness
• Ability to provide care for animals, including safe handling, feeding, and restraining of animals

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-tim Civil Service 0678 - Animal Caretaker position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 3/1/2025. This civil service non-exempt position receives 12 paid holidays a year, 12 cumulative sick days per year, and 12 cumulative vacation days at minimum per year (vacation accrual rate based on service years completed). Starting salary \$40,618.50 annual/ \$20.83 hourly. This position is on-site at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx .

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Sunday February 23, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no late