*This is a term-position until September 1, 2027*
This Assistant Animal Care Technician I is responsible for the care of the many different types of animals, fish, amphibians, reptiles and insects housed in the vivarium, and also for the general maintenance of the facility following instructions as set out by the Animal Care Technologists.
Responsibilities:
- Ensure compliance with animal user protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPS) and safe work protocols (SWPs).
- Fish maintenance:
- Check salt (NaCl) & Calcium Chloride (CaCl) dosing in tanks.
- Daily water change out of the Aquatic Skid water supply system.
- Maintaining Aquaneering Zebra fish housing.
- Monitor ammonia/nitrate levels.
- Living streams: clean and maintain water level.
- Monitor hardness and alkalinity of the system water.
- Use of a HACH metre to measure and record LDO, conductivity and pH water parameters.
- Monitor fish for various symptoms/diseases and treat as necessary.
- Paramecium culture: maintain and check daily.
- Fish Eggs in incubator: maintain and check daily when applicable.
- Larval fish: maintain and check daily when applicable.
- Medaka and amphibians (frogs): feed & change water out as per the schedule and directions.
- Use proper PPE when working to avoid cross-contamination.
- Rats, Mice:
- Monitor temperature/humidity and lighting daily and contact facilities for alarms or issues.
- Use biosafety cabinet/change station for any procedures.
- Provide specific environmental enrichment inside the cage for stimulus.
- Cage box change out: transfer animal from dirty to clean box micro with clean isolator top.
- Clean cage, transfer dirty cage box washer room, discard soiled wood shavings and dispose into a Ventilated Dump Station garbage can. Cages boxes are loaded and washed in the automatic cage washer and unloaded in the clean room.
- Check food hoppers and water bottles daily and refill and clean as required.
- Monitor animals’ health (symptoms/ behaviour) to prevent illness/disease. Report any issues to the Vivarium Director, Animal Technician or the Biology Lab Manager. An adverse event report is required for incidents or sick/deceased animals.
- Dismantle cage racks and plenums (using PPE gloves) and clean/sanitize in the automatic cage washer every 6 months and reassemble.
- Report any equipment housing issues to the Vivarium Director, Animal Technician or the Biology Lab Manager.
- Replace pre-filters on the blowers monthly.
- Bats-Wild Life Facility:
- Perform all duties in the bat room as dictated and guided by the Animal Care Protocol written/amended periodically by the Researcher and/or the research staff.
- Duties may include observing the bats (via computer screen) as well as hand feeding the bats.
- Contacting the Animal Care Technician or researcher via email or phone if it is observed that a bat is compromised in any way.
- Check rabies immunization requirement and types of rabies vaccine available.
- Sweep and wash all floors in the complex daily, clean sinks.
- Bag and remove garbage from the complex.
- Remove dead/deceased animals as required.
- Contain and dispose of all biohazardous materials.
- Properly store chemicals, read MSDS and use proper PPE (person protective equipment).
- Cut tips of needles using sharps cutter box and properly dispose of all sharps in sharp container.
- Assist with disinfection of rooms and with environmental sampling with contact plates (quarterly) if required.
- Assist in maintaining Wildlife Facility.
- Greenhouse facility: participate in Biology weekend tech rotation and coverage for winter break; Christmas closure: potential to cover first weekend of January and Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day).
- Water plants according to schedule/orientation provided, measure/note/record pH, soil or water parameters if required, move, lift or transplant plants, and clean up area of leaves/debris.
- Follow protocols/procedures highlighted by Greenhouse technician.
Qualifications:
- Completion of first year of undergraduate Biology degree program or Animal Health Care Technician Diploma program or College is desirable.
- Some directly related animal care or animal husbandry experience.
- A working knowledge of animal husbandry or work with animals would be considered an asset.
- Attend safety training orientation and comply with safety regulations and protocols, as well as cleanliness standards.
- Valid driver’s license an asset but not required.
- Ability to measure and record parameters.
- Working knowledge of basic lab equipment (pH and conductivity meter; referenced as HACH meter, centrifuge, incubator) and good laboratory practices.
- Ability to follow oral and written instructions accurately.
- Ability to relate well with various levels of internal staff.
- Ability to work independently in carrying out assignments.
- Ability to work alone in a secure locked area (basement level); no natural light and situational awareness due to designated animal containment levels (clean vs dirty levels).
- No known allergies to animals, chemicals or plants.
- Current Tetanus immunization (recommended every 10 years).
- Rabies immunization and rabies titre test is required for work with bats.
- May require Biosecurity screening and security checks.
Condition(s) of Employment:
- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
- Ability to work weekends, statutory holidays, assist with vacation coverage (summer and mid-term break, winter break).
- Able to work overtime when schedules demand.
- Completion of U of W on-line Animal Care Course and PEI Fish Care Course (training will be provided).
- Complete basic WHMIS training and certificate (training will be provided).
An equivalent combination of education, experience, skills, knowledge and abilities may be considered.
Note: The work described in this posting will be conducted in-person.
The University of Winnipeg is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse staff and faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research environments, and is essential to academic and institutional excellence. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage women, racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ persons to confidentially self-identify at time of application.
The University of Winnipeg is committed to ensuring employment opportunities are accessible for all applicants. If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected].
The personal information of applicants is collected under the authority of the University of Winnipeg Act and 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All personal information collected via the recruitment process is used to assess the applicant’s suitability, eligibility, and qualifications for employment, and to otherwise support recruitment activities. This information will be provided to participating members of the recruitment process. Questions regarding the collection of your personal information may be directed to the Director, HR Services, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9 or [email protected].
