University of Washington Human Resources

UW CODE AND REPRESENTATIVE GROUP

17724 (NE S SEIU 925 Non Supv)
20538 (NE H SEIU 925 Non Supv)

CLASS SERIES CONCEPT

Perform animal care duties; provide care for animals and animal facilities.

BASIC FUNCTION

Perform routine husbandry tasks involved in the care and feeding of animals, and maintenance of animal facilities.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

First-level class of series.

TYPICAL WORK

Provide food and water to animals in accordance with established policies and procedures;

Handle, restrain, weigh and determine the sex of common laboratory animals;

Transfer animals from soiled to clean enclosures making sure to maintain individual animal identity; prepare animal quarters in accordance with specified procedures; label all cages appropriately;

Wean and separate animals in accordance with specified procedures and/or schedule;

Maintain separation of animals of different health or experimental statuses; observe precautions to avoid cross-contamination;

Clean and/or sterilize cages, pans, runs and surrounding premises including walls, floors, windows, food preparation rooms and cage washing areas according to specified procedures;

Observe animals for abnormalities and report observations;

Maintain written and electronic records and logs related to feeding, care, observation, and animal census and identification;

Report deviations from animal feeding and care instructions and/or schedule;

Maintain equipment and premises in accordance with specified standards; ensure that temperature, water pressure, humidity and lighting remain within acceptable ranges; read and record data; report deviations;

Assist with the delivery of animals to the facility and the transportation of animals within the facility;

Dispose animal carcasses in accordance with facility, state and federal requirements;

Monitor inventory levels and stock and maintain supplies;

Operate machinery as directed (e.g., change stations, floor scrubbers, animal racks);

Assist with basic cagewash duties (e.g., operate autoclaves, rack washers, and tunnel washers), as needed;

Maintain appropriate communications with research personnel, supervisors, and co-workers;

Attend meetings and continuing education;

May lift heavy animals, cages, supplies and/or equipment;

May provide animal husbandry duties in biocontainment or bio exclusion areas.

May occasionally operate departmental vehicles;

Perform related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Physical ability to do required work; ability to read, write, and communicate orally in English.

CLASSIFICATION HISTORY

New Class: 1-03-73
Revise Class: 12-07-78
Revise Class: 10-22-84
CSR Class Conversion (mc) and change from job code 4724 to525E: 06-01-05
New to SEIU and assigned UW code 7724: 5-1-08
Revise Class: 9-1-2020