• Job Description

  Req#: JR101373
  Job Requisition:
  JR101373 Lab & Research Technician (Animal Care) (Open Date: 02/28/2026)
  
  Job Posting Title:
  Lab & Research Technician (Animal Care)
  
  Department:
  CC00109 WM001 | PROV | Vertebrate Animal Care Unit
  
  Job Family:
  Staff - Lab & Research Support
  
  Worker Sub-Type:
  Regular (benefited)
  
  Job Requisition Primary Location:
  Integrated Science Center
  
  Primary Job Posting Location:
  Integrated Science Center
  
  Job Description Summary:
  The Animal Care & Lab Technician is responsible for overseeing the animal laboratories within the Vertebrate Animal Care Unit (VACU) and supporting faculty in the use of animals for instructional and research purposes. This position ensures the highest standards of daily animal care while maintaining safe, compliant, and efficient laboratory operations.
  
  The technician supervises and directs students and hourly staff in the proper use of VACU facilities and in appropriate animal handling techniques. A central focus of the role is delivering high-quality daily care to all animals housed within the unit. The VACU facilities supported by this position serve multiple departments and are located across various campus sites. The technician must be adaptable and able to coordinate responsibilities across these locations.
  
  Job Description:
  
  Primary responsibilities include:
  
  • Providing daily animal care, including hygiene, feeding, and habitat maintenance
  • Monitoring and assessing animal health status; reporting concerns as needed
  • Managing and maintaining the animal breeding program
  • Maintaining accurate and current records and documentation
  • Overseeing facility maintenance to ensure cleanliness, safety, and compliance
  • Procuring animals, supplies, and equipment as needed
  • Providing technical and procedural support as directed by the Unit
  • Supporting faculty in animal use for coursework and research activities
  • Supervising and training students and hourly staff in animal care protocols and facility procedures
  
  
  Required Qualifications:
  
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Additional college-level coursework in Biology, animal science, or a related field or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
  • Valid driver's license.
  
  
  Preferred Qualifications:
  
  • Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Biology, or a related field.
  • Prior animal care and/or laboratory experience.
  • Certification as an Animal Technician through the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) or certification as a Veterinary Technician through the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
  
  
  Conditions of Employment:
  
  • Must be available to work occasional weekends and holidays to ensure consistent daily animal care.
  • Requires travel to multiple departments and facilities located at varying sites.
  • Providing critical care to animals during emergency or disaster situations is an essential function of this position and central to the mission of the Vertebrate Animal Care Unit (VACU).
  • In the event of a disaster or emergency, must be able to serve as an emergency first responder to deliver critical animal care, which may require being called into work during off-hours, weekends, or holidays.
  • This is a non-exempt position, which may be eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.
  
  
  For full consideration, submit your resume and cover letter by the priority review date of March 17, 2026.
  
  Compensation: Up to $46,000 commensurate with experience.
  
  Job Duties:
  
  45% - Animal Care:
  
  • Maintain proper animal care and colony hygiene or supervise students and hourly staff in these tasks.
  • Feed, water, and monitor animals daily.
  • Clean cages and bedding on scheduled cycles deemed appropriate for the species and experiments.
  • Wash water bottles weekly.
  • Handwash or use high-pressure steam cage washer to wash cages and lids.
  • Autoclave equipment as required by research projects.
  
  
  20% - Clinical Procedures:
  
  • Recognize signs and systems of disease in vertebrate animals, perform basic diagnostic laboratory tests (collect sterile samples on post-mortem, basic parasitology, bacteriology), seek diagnostic testing if necessary.
  • Consult with institutional veterinarian, Implement prescribed treatment plan including isolation of diseased animals, disease vector elimination and administer medications.
  • Initiate quarantine for all newly acquired animals.
  • Conduct Human Euthanasia of diseased, injured, or unneeded animals including proper disposal of carcasses in a sanitary manner.
  
  
  10% - Maintenance:
  
  • Dust, sweep, or mop the facility daily or supervise students or hourly staff in these tasks.
  • Disinfect entire rooms (walls, floors, ceilings) on a 4-month cycle or as required.
  • Replace light timers and acquire new equipment.
  • Oversee regular changes of air handling systems.
  • Address climate control issues relevant to animal health.
  
  
  10% - Breeding:
  
  • Mate genetically diverse breeding pairs.
  • Keep accurate records of litters and each animal's genetic background.
  • Check with Faculty and student researchers to determine future needs.
  • Monitor reproductive cycle to assure optimum breeding.
  
  
  5% - Procurement of Supplies and Services:
  
  • Monitor facility supplies including food, bedding, tray liners, cages, and janitorial supplies.
  • Monitor budget plan from laboratory line item through supervisor.
  • Catalog and surplus any outdated or broken equipment.
  • Request facility repairs.
  • Record keeping duties.
  
  
  5% - Supervision of Hourly Staff:
  
  • Train and supervise hourly workers in animal care, with supervisor support.
  • Lead animal care tasks and supervise hourly staff in these activities on weekends and holidays, ensuring that weekend and holiday care is conducted properly.
  
  
  5% - Subject Matter Expert:
  
  • In consultation with the supervisor, conduct regular reviews of animal care procedures and recommend changes and implement improvements.
  • Stay abreast of current technologies and regulations pertaining to lab supervision and animal care.
  • Attend necessary trainings.
  
  
  Additional Job Description:
  Applies knowledge of sanitation techniques and laboratory safety.
  Applies knowledge of research and testing procedures and techniques, and of animal handling, care and welfare.
  Performs a variety of procedures supporting laboratory, research, clinical or autopsy and necropsy services, or geological services.
  May provide limited surgical assistance.
  Follows established directions and procedures.
  Frequent contacts with co-workers, supervisors, students, faculty, and research staff to discuss study techniques or results or handling and care of animals.
  
  Job Profile:
  JP0191 - Laboratory & Research Technician - Nonexempt - Salary - S05
  
  Qualifications:
  
  Compensation Grade:
  S05
  
  Recruiting Start Date:
  2026-02-28
  
  Review Date:
  
  Position Restrictions:
  
  EEO is the Law. Applicants can learn more about William & Mary's status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the "Know Your Rights" poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https:// www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal
  
  Background Check: William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.
  
  Remote Work Disclaimer: Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor's ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility.

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