Animal Caretaker I

Job Title

Animal Caretaker I

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Global Health Research Complex

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

What We Want

The Animal Caretaker I position is responsible for providing daily animal care and husbandry support for research animals housed in a biocontainment facility. This position performs routine animal care and facility support tasks under established protocols and supervision while participating in structured training to build skills and experience for advanced animal care roles.

What You Need to Know

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate to the selected hire’s experience.  

Cover Letter/Resume: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended and will help in our review. You may upload them on the application under the CV/Resume section.    

Other Requirements and Factors:

• Required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Must be able to work rotationally on weekends and holidays. May be required to work occasionally or after normal working hours (5:00 PM).

• Individuals in this position are considered essential when the University declares an emergency, campus closure, class cancellation, etc. Must report to work and remain on duty unless relieved by the direct supervisor.

• The job has the potential for safety hazard exposures and infectious disease exposures.

• Maintenance of Biosafety Occupational Health Program clearance to enter biocontainment environments.

Essential Duties/Tasks

Animal Care

• Performs routine daily animal care and husbandry duties including feeding, watering, cleaning, and environmental enrichment.

• Assists with animal handling, restraint, and transport under supervision.

• Conducts daily observations of animals and reports signs of illness, injury, or distress following established protocols.

• Records accurate daily observations regarding animal health.

• Cleans, sanitizes, and decontaminates animal rooms, enclosures, and equipment according to established procedures and schedules.

• Utilizes proper personal protective equipment and follows biosecurity protocols while conducting animal husbandry duties.

Facility Operations and Support

• Monitors and records environmental conditions and maintains room logs, census sheets, and other routine documentation.

• Assists with preparation of animal rooms, pens, and equipment prior to studies or animal movement.

• Stocks animal feed, cleaning supplies, and PPE; assists with facility laundry as needed.

• Supports disposal procedures and sanitation of shared spaces under supervision.

• Provides basic assistance and customer service to facility users and departmental staff.

• Works weekends and holidays on a rotating schedule as required.

Training and Professional Development

• Participates in required facility-specific training and onboarding.

• Completes continuing education and training as required by GHRC, regulatory agencies, and accreditation standards.

• Attends meetings and training sessions to enhance skills and knowledge.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• High School diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• No prior experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working with livestock species.

• Previous experience in an animal research facility.

• Previous experience working in a team-based, regulated, or safety-focused environment.

• Basic recordkeeping or data entry experience.

• Completion of animal care, laboratory safety, or research compliance training (formal or informal).

• Experience following written protocols or standard operating procedures in a laboratory, farm, or animal care setting.

• Familiarity with basic animal welfare principles and biosecurity practices.

• Prior internship, volunteer, or student employment experience involving animal care or husbandry.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

• Ability to utilize computer systems for trainings, communication, and recordkeeping.

• Ability to follow detailed safety protocols in regulated or compliance-driven settings.

• Requires mobility and agility to move quickly in a dangerous situation.

• Must be able to stand for long periods of time.

Who We Are

The Global Health Research Complex (GHRC) at Texas A&M University is a brand new state-of-the-art biocontainment research facility that will improve animal and human health within the State of Texas, across the United States, and around the globe. The GHRC supports and advances multi-disciplinary large animal and insect vector research, education, and training opportunities for faculty at Texas A&M and their partners from other academic institutions and industry. To learn more, visit https://ghrc.tamu.edu/.  

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.