Animal Caretaker 3

The McConnell Group, Inc. (TMG) is seeking experienced Animal Caretakers 3 to support the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID). USAMRIID's mission is to provide leading-edge medical capabilities to deter and defend against current and emerging biological threat agents. Each Animal Caretakers 3 works within a team to provide humane care and treatment of research animals. The Animal Caretaker 3 provides animal husbandry support in Quarantine, Barrier, ABSL-2, ABSL-3, and ABSL-4 animal care and use areas. The Animal Caretaker 3 shall independently select and apply appropriate procedures for the supported tasks. The Animal Caretaker 3 shall assist in providing non-routine care, supporting changes in procedure, and addressing problems. In addition, the Animal Caretaker 3 shall assist or independently perform glassware/cagewash support tasks.

Schedule: Full-time. Variable hours to include weekends, holidays, and emergencies as requested.

Duties:

• Contract Employee shall provide animal care and husbandry to the animals during experimental and non-experimental periods IAW SOPs and/or protocol. This includes, but is not limited to, cleaning/sanitizing the micro- and macroenvironment; transferring animals between cages/restraint devices/jump boxes; providing environmental enrichment; housing animals in appropriate size and types of cages; monitoring animals and reporting/documenting abnormal conditions or treatment failures; and ensuring food/water are available IAW SOPs or protocol. Contract Employees shall work independently IAW SOPs and apply practical knowledge and technical expertise to resolve problems independently and in cooperation with other personnel. Contract Employees shall report any SOP deviations to the Contract PM as soon as practicable.
• Contract Employee shall receive, exam, verify (i.e., determine sex), move to designated room and house of all incoming laboratory animals IAW SOPs and/or protocol.
• Contract Employee shall conduct daily cage counts and weekly head counts to the Contract PM IAW SOPs.
• Contract Employee shall ensure all animals are properly identified and associated with specific experiments IAW SOPs.
• Contract Employee shall transport animals within the facility or to/from other facilities IAW SOPs.
• Contract Employee shall ensure proper room designations and entry procedures and update room entry order IAW SOPs.
• Contract Employee shall operate animal husbandry equipment and document operations IAW SOPs.
• Contract Employee shall store animal husbandry equipment and supplies IAW SOPs.
• Contract Employee shall observe and document temperature, humidity and light levels within animal care and use areas IAW SOPs and report excursions to the Contract PM immediately.

Clearance Requirements: Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, if required by the facility or research project. Must meet all requirements for the BPRP to access ABSL-3 and ABSL-4 containment areas. T3 investigation (NACLC/ANACI is acceptable if completed within 5 years prior to enrollment). A favorably adjudicated SECRET security clearance eligibility, with no access to classified, is required.

Qualifications:

• Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification or higher, as defined by the American Association of Laboratory Animal Sciences (AALAS), is required prior to or within eighteen (18) months of start date
• At least two (2) years' animal husbandry experience in support of non-human primates (NHPs) in a research setting is required
• Experience with rodents, swine, rabbits, and ferrets in a research setting is highly desirable
• Experience in Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) is desirable
• Work requires continuous standing and walking on concrete or hard surfaced floors, climbing, working in a bent position, and carrying materials up to 50 pounds. Greater strength, effort, and agility are required in the handling, capturing, and restraining of the stronger, more active animals.
• Contract Employees must enroll in and meet the Biological Personnel Reliability Program (BPRP) and Select Agent requirements IAW Army Regulation 190-17.

Benefits: The McConnell Group offers a comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), and a range of other voluntary benefits. Paid Time Off (PTO) is offered to regular full-time employees.

The McConnell Group recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes without regard to race, religion, creed, color, citizenship, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including termination, layoff, recall, transfer, and leaves of absence.

The McConnell Group uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities as an applicant, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify

Applications can be submitted electronically or by submitting a paper resume to The McConnell Group, Attention: HR, 8400 Corporate Drive, Suite 240, Landover, MD 20785.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this job description/posting shall constitute an offer or promise of employment.