Vivarium Specialist III

Job Description - Vivarium Specialist III (3291586) The Ragon Institute is a highly unique, innovative, and collaborative research center at the forefront of biomedical science. Founded by Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Harvard, the Ragon vision is to harness the power of the immune system to prevent and cure human disease on a global scale. This vision is pursued every day by a group of highly motivated individuals who embrace collaboration, compassion, dedication, and innovation. The Ragon Institute is seeking a skilled individual for a Vivarium Specialist III position in the newly opening building of the Ragon Institute, located in the heart of Technology Square in Cambridge. The vivarium is a brand new, state-of-the-art facility. Under the supervision of the Vivarium Manager (or Supervisor), the Vivarium Specialist III provides daily husbandry care and maintenance required for the health and cleanliness of research animals and their housing facilities. In addition, the Vivarium Specialist III will assist the Animal Facility Manager in creating the daily husbandry schedule, providing backup for daily cage wash, room changes, and sanitation as needed. You will provide leadership and guidance to the husbandry staff on operations and facility issues, including investigating operational concerns, troubleshooting equipment and machine issues, gathering and compiling information, and submitting recommendations for resolution to leadership. PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Provides leadership over daily husbandry care for research animals according to department standard operating procedures, state and federal regulations, and accrediting agency guidelines. May be required to work directly with vendors for maintenance and repairs of the equipment. Perform minor preventative maintenance on multiple types of cage wash equipment and respond to mechanical failures. Responsible for training new and current cage wash staff to operate and maintain all cage wash equipment and operating systems. Operate equipment and troubleshoot issues related to bio-safety cabinets, Animal Transfer Stations, decontamination systems, and automatic watering equipment. Responsible for conducting trainings for newly hired staff, promoted staff, and research staff on all animal-related items. Monitor and record environmental parameters of assigned holding and procedure rooms. Responsible for husbandry and training of the gnotobiotic area. May be responsible for husbandry duties in ABSL-3 areas. Oversee daily animal health observations and assist with communicating adverse findings to the veterinary technicians or senior staff. Assist with identifying basic animal care issues and perform treatments for minor health conditions as assigned. Assist in all vivarium areas as needed, including all duties of Vivarium Specialist I and II. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Minimum degree and field of knowledge: High School Diploma or GED Years experience required: 3-5 years experience working with animals in a lab QUALIFICATIONS: Proficient in verbal and written English communication skills. Ability to communicate advanced health issues to senior staff. Experience with cage wash equipment including automation preferred. Ability to work independently or as part of a team. Strong leadership skills. Experience with gnotobiotics preferred. Experience working in ABSL-3 areas preferred. Strong knowledge of Microsoft applications including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Familiarity with vivarium software systems preferred. LAT Certification preferred. WORKING CONDITIONS: Ability to work directly with animals (including mice and rats) with no preexisting allergies that would affect ability to work with these animals. Must be able to walk or stand for a full 8-hour shift. Ability to lift 50 lbs., push or pull up to 100 lbs., and perform other physical tasks. Must be willing to be fit tested and wear a N95 mask or a PAPR as required. Ability to work in Biosafety levels up to BSL-3. Ability to work with biological and chemical hazards. May occasionally need to report to work in the event of a disaster or weather-related event. This position is considered essential and may require working on weekends, holidays, and off hours. Massachusetts General Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law.

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