Vivarium Technical Specialist I

Under the general supervision of the Technical Services Supervisor, the Vivarium Technical Specialist I provides specialized technical support for laboratory animal colonies and research programs. This position is responsible for animal health monitoring, colony management, technical procedures, sample collection, and researcher support while ensuring compliance with institutional policies and applicable USDA, NIH, AAALAC, and other regulatory requirements. The Vivarium Technical Specialist I serves as a resource for investigators and animal care staff by maintaining high standards of animal welfare, research support, and operational excellence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Animal Health and Welfare

• Monitor animal health and well-being, identify abnormalities, and document observations in accordance with established procedures.
• Communicate health concerns to veterinary, research, and animal care personnel and assist with follow-up care and treatments.
• Collect, process, and submit biological samples for diagnostic testing and health surveillance programs.
• Perform animal euthanasia in accordance with AVMA guidelines and institutional protocols.
• Conduct necropsies and communicate findings to research staff and veterinary personnel.

Colony Management

• Manage rodent breeding colonies, including breeder setup, weaning, identification, census maintenance, and recordkeeping.
• Maintain accurate colony records and databases to support research objectives and regulatory compliance.
• Assist investigators with troubleshooting breeding performance and colony-related issues.
• Ensure proper animal identification, housing assignments, and colony organization.

Technical Services

• Perform specialized animal procedures, including handling, restraint, injections, dosing, blood collection, tissue collection, and other approved techniques.
• Provide procedural support and technical assistance to researchers as requested.
• Maintain proficiency in animal handling techniques and colony management practices.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot specialized vivarium equipment and technical resources.

Regulatory Compliance and Documentation

• Maintain accurate written and electronic records in accordance with institutional policies, SOPs, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure all activities comply with USDA, NIH, AAALAC, IACUC, and institutional standards.
• Participate in facility inspections, quality assurance activities, and accreditation efforts as assigned.

Team Support

• Provide coverage for Vivarium Technician duties during staffing shortages or operational needs.
• Collaborate effectively with researchers, veterinary, and animal care staff to support scientific programs.
• Participate in training activities and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• AALAS certification at the ALAT level required; LAT certification preferred.

Experience

• Three to five years of laboratory animal experience, including technical procedures and colony management.
• Experience working with rodent breeding colonies and health monitoring programs preferred.
• Demonstrated customer service skills and ability to interact professionally with scientific staff.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, diplomacy, and effective communication in a research environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of laboratory animal husbandry, animal welfare regulations, and vivarium operations.
• Proficiency in animal handling, restraint, injections, sample collection, and euthanasia techniques.
• Experience with colony management software and electronic recordkeeping systems.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced research environment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, crouch, reach, push, and pull for extended periods.
• Ability to move carts and equipment weighing up to 300 pounds.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment for prolonged periods.
• Ability to work in environments with exposure to animals, animal allergens, cleaning agents, dust, odors, and biological materials.

Working Conditions

• Will require occasional overtime, weekend, holiday, and after-hours work.
• Work is performed in laboratory animal facilities with exposure to animal allergens and research environments.
• Must adhere to all institutional safety, biosecurity, and occupational health requirements.

La Jolla Institute is committed to compensation that is externally competitive and internally equitable. We validate this commitment by conducting regular market analyses to remain competitive with organizations of similar size in the nonprofit, independent research sector. Compensation decisions consider a variety of factors including experience, education, unique skill sets, organizational need, and internal equity.