Department: Ctr for Comparative MedicineSalary/Grade: NEX/8Job Summary Completes primarily simple & routine animal caretaking duties; & as requested by Group Leader or their designee, cage wash activities which may occur up to 50% of the time of overall job duties & responsibilities. Will be trained and expected to perform basic technical skills with complexity progressing through the ACT levels. All actions are completed by strictly & consistently following applicable CCM SOPs including safety procedures & guidelines. Reports any suspected or actual deviations to SOPs or non-routine situations immediately to Group Leader or their designee. Arrives, leaves & takes breaks at work as scheduled. Strictly adheres to CCM attendance policy. Please note: Must be able to negotiate up to a 65 lb force (push/pull) on an occasional basis. Lifting is limited to 50 lbs occasionally and 25 lbs frequently. Must be able to work a shift schedule that includes working both Saturdays and Sundays, possibly a staggered work schedule, occasional overtime, and holidays as required. Must successfully maintain physical condition that will assure efficient performance of tasks, including successful completion of physical examination. This position requires the individual to be available to work on both the Chicago and Evanston campuses as coverage needs dictate. Must be enrolled in the university's occupational health program which entails filling out a health questionnaire. The health questionnaire is submitted to the university's occupational health provider for review. Must be willing to undergo job related background check. Specific Responsibilities: According to CCM SOPs:
- Cleans & sterilizes cages, equipment, supplies, rooms (primary and secondary enclosures), etc.
- Prepares refused for disposal or incineration.
According to CCM SOPs:
- Changes cages, equipment, supplies, animals & rooms.
- Feeds & waters animals according to their prescribed diets.
- Observes animals regularly during the day, noting & reporting any variances in eating, drinking or deviation from normal habits, to include obvious health issues with behavior, skin conditions, etc.
- Observes, documents, & reports changes in environmental parameters (i.e., temperature, humidity, lighting, etc.).
- May conduct census counts.
- May administer oral &/or topical medications.
- With appropriate training, may euthanize animals.
- Assists in organizing feed, bedding & dry supplies in storage facilities.
According to CCM SOPs:
- Houses incoming animals.
- Receive &/or delivers animal transfers.
- Ensures accuracy of transfer delivery documentation.
- May drive van to transfer animals.
Completes cage wash activities & animal caretaking check-lists, logs & documentation accurately & within appropriate time-frames:
- Notifies lead if available or management of malfunctioning equipment; may document problem.
- Attends CCM sponsored training sessions, species specific identification & treatment sessions; & begins OJT cross training among species, etc.
Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)
- A minimum of 3 months cage wash, husbandry or equivalent work or educational experience.
Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)
- A high school diploma or its equivalent
- Valid state drivers license if driving animal transport van.
Target hiring range for this position will be between $17.75 to $19.75 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data . Benefits: At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at to learn more. Work-Life and Wellness: Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at to learn more. Professional Growth & Development: Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at to learn more .Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage. The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today. Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law. #LI-KT1