Animal Caretaker II at University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Job no: 524926

Work type: Staff Full Time

Location: UMass Amherst

Department: Animal Care Services

Union: AFSCME

Categories: Laboratory & Research, Research

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

About Research & Engagement

The UMass Amherst community engages more than 31,000 students, 1,400 faculty, and 5,000 staff in 11 schools and colleges with a wide variety of degree programs, research, and public service. More than 800 faculty lead sponsored research projects in many areas from basic to applied that are sponsored by federal, state, and private sources with expenditures of more than $240 million in 2023.

Job Summary

The Animal Caretaker II assists in the operation of animal care facilities on campus. Provides general care of laboratory animals and maintenance of animal care facilities.

Essential Functions

• Handles, cares for, and monitors the health and well being of laboratory animals on a daily basis.


• Maintains and operates mechanical equipment, such as cage washer, glassware dishwasher, euthanasia chambers, etc.


• Maintains proper records on the individual animals, including health status.


• Observes, detects, and records the conditions of animals (sick/dead reports) and animal room environments (room temperature, air exchange, light cycle).


• Maintains all equipment (caging, bottles, stoppers) in good condition.


• Participates in educational training programs for Animal Care staff.


• Provides general technical assistance to Animal Care Supervisor or investigators.


• Works with biohazardous substances.


• Restrains and euthanizes animals, when necessary.


• Maintains the inventory of food, bedding, and other supplies (bottles, stoppers) necessary to operate the animal care facilities.


• Trains and functionally supervises work study students.

Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• High School Diploma or GED.


• One (1) year of experience working with common laboratory animals. An Associate's degree in Animal Science, Laboratory Animal Technology, Biology, or related field of study may be substituted for the required experience.


• Ability to provide care for laboratory animals in a safe and sanitary manner, using the necessary equipment and under the established institutional operating procedures.


• Ability to handle, restrain, and determine the gender of all common laboratory animals without injuring the animals or endangering oneself or others.


• Knowledge of universal identification systems used for marking laboratory animals and the ability to keep accurate records pertaining to this identification.


• Knowledge concerning personal hygiene and personal safety with regard to hazardous substances; to be aware of proper institutional sanitation procedures, handling of equipment and chemicals used to clean, disinfect, and sterilize.


• Ability to functionally supervise work study students effectively and to schedule the workload in an efficient and productive manner.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

Knowledge of University, State, and Federal regulations regarding the care, handling, use, and welfare of laboratory animals.

Ability to assist in collecting samples for laboratory tests associated with the well being and health of animals, e.g., handling of blood samples.

Ability to assist in routine medical treatments of laboratory animals.

AALAS Certification (ALAT or LAT).

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Ability to lift and/or carry heavy objects up to fifty (50) pounds, unassisted.


• Good physical stamina.

Additional Details

This position is considered Essential Personnel. Essential personnel are expected to report to work in the event of an emergency closing of the UMass Amherst campus, including delayed openings and early closings. Employees designated as essential personnel and who report to work during emergency closure periods will be compensated in accordance with their respective collective bargaining agreements. Employees designated as essential personnel and who do not report to work during emergency closure periods will be required to use accrued time.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm.


• The incumbent may be expected to participate in a weekend and holiday rotation schedule as needed, and some evening work may be required.

Salary Information

Grade 10

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Sep 20 2024 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: Dec 20 2024 Eastern Standard Time

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