Operations Technician I

University of Colorado CU Denver

Office of Laboratory Animal Resources 

Operations Technician I

Position #00803413 – Requisition #27848

* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers *

The University of Colorado has a requirement for COVID-19 vaccinations and full completion thereof by 9/1/21 or upon start date.  Information regarding this requirement, and exemptions can be found at:

Anschutz: https://www.ucdenver.edu/docs/librariesprovider284/default-document-library/3000-general-admission/3012—covid-19-vaccination-requirement-and-compliance.pdf?sfvrsn=4e9df3ba_2

Denver: https://www.ucdenver.edu/coronavirus

Exemptions vary by campus location/department.

Campus/Unit-Specific Exemptions:

• Anschutz Campus – Exemptions are allowed for medical or religious reasons.
• Denver Campus – Exemptions are allowed for medical, religious, or personal reasons.
• Consolidated/Central Services Administration – Will follow Anschutz policy on exemptions.

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus seeks individuals with demonstrated commitment to creating an inclusive learning and working environment. We value the ability to engage effectively with students, faculty and staff of diverse backgrounds.

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a world-class medical destination at the forefront of transformative science, medicine, education, and patient care. The campus encompasses the University of Colorado health professional schools, more than 60 centers and institutes, and two nationally ranked independent hospitals – UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital  and Children’s Hospital Colorado  – that treat more than two million adult and pediatric patients each year. Innovative, interconnected and highly collaborative, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus delivers life-changing treatments, patient care and professional training and conducts world-renowned research fueled by over $650 million in research grants. For more information, visit www.cuanschutz.edu .

The Department of Laboratory Animal Management has an opening for a full-time University Staff (unclassified) Operations Technician I position.

Department Summary

The field of Laboratory Animal Management requires a specialized knowledge of the operations of a highly technical research environment. There are numerous laws, regulations and policies that must be adhered to, such as the Animal Welfare Regulations, PHS Policy, Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and IACUC policies. In addition, the cage wash and dock areas have specialized equipment serving the facility. This position will report to the Operations Supervisor for the Office of Laboratory Animal Resources (OLAR). The individual is expected to complete daily work in the areas of the cage wash, docks, and auxiliary areas of OLAR run facilities as assigned by the Operations Supervisor or adjusted by the Operations Lead.

Job Summary

This full-time University Staff (unclassified) Operations Technician I position provides routine and specialized care and support of operations for a wide variety of species of large and small laboratory animals, which are part of studies performed by scientists for biomedical research and education in the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Nursing at the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Denver Anschutz). The Operations Technician I position will assist with the completion of duties in the auxiliary support areas, procedure rooms, and cage wash of all vivariums that are run by OLAR on the Anschutz Medical Campus. This position will work to perform stocking and inventory control of all personal protective equipment, general use supplies, laundry, caging, equipment, and cleaning supplies. This position will ensure appropriate trash removal from the facility. This position may be responsible for the removal, sorting, weighing, and preparation of carcasses for pick-up by the appropriate disposal vendor as directed by a lead or the supervisor. This position will work with co-workers on large facility projects throughout the facilities.  This position may procure animal feed, bedding, and supplies from appropriate support areas and transport to required sites and may operate a university vehicle. This position will clean, sanitize, and autoclave animal cages and equipment/supplies and prepare such for distribution/reuse.  This position may work with large washing units and may drain tanks, check, and clean filters on index and rack washers and other equipment, clean/maintain conveyor systems or other mechanical equipment, as well as use chemical cleaning agents in their dilute and concentrated form as directed by a Lead or their Supervisor.   

Examples of Work Performed

• Appropriately decontaminate all types of equipment belonging to OLAR or research staff per outlined procedure to include, but not limited to, Animal Transfer Stations (ATSs), animal housing rooms, procedure rooms, veterinary equipment (e.g., anesthesia machines, tattoo machines, etc.) and an assortment of equipment, some highly technical, used by research staff.
• Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and use personal protective equipment (PPE) as required for the work being conducted.
• Receive and inspect goods including, but not limited to, animal diets, live animal deliveries, high dollar value equipment and supplies, disposable items and ensure that those goods are not expired and then are sanitized or decontaminated according to the appropriate methods prior to distribution or storage.
• Perform data entry into the inventory system for all goods received. Assist with rotating stock items and monitoring expiration dates to ensure items are used prior to expiration or removed once expired with the goal of minimizing waste.
• Use computers to enter data into spreadsheets, communicate by emails, and participate in training. May use other electronic databases and tracking systems to log and communicate information.
• Operate mechanical equipment use to clean and sanitize surfaces and equipment to include pallet jacks, 55-gallon lift-jacks, flatbeds, cage and rack washers, conveyors, foamers, floor scrubbers, floor buffers, autoclaves, small washers, robots, bedding disposal and supply, etc. to include responding to all alarms. 
• Prepares, dispenses, and utilizes hazardous chemicals and disinfectants according to manufacturer’s instructions in cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting animal rooms, procedure rooms, racks, cages, pens, and animal support areas.
• Safely work with hazards and understand departmental standard operating procedures to ensure a safe working environment.
• Maintain equipment validation and monitoring logs to include biological indicators, temperature tapes, and sterilization logs.
• Ensure appropriate sanitation of all work areas using the appropriate frequency, cleaning methods and materials.
• Assist with logging and keeping accurate records for the facility’s pest control program.
• Remove carcasses from refrigerators/freezers and ensure they are disposed of through the appropriate waste stream.
• Ensure freezers/refrigerators are maintained and disinfected as scheduled.
• May need to operate a university vehicle to transport supplies.
• Operate cage washing and sterilizing equipment to include rack washers, index washers, robotic equipment, vacuum disposal, bedding dispensers, large bulk sterilizers, bedding dispenser.
• Unload/load caging and equipment onto conveyors and into/out of rack washers and autoclaves following appropriate procedures to include disassembling and assembling equipment to ensure appropriate cage production and flow.
• Monitor dust collectors for cage wash in the interstitial space.
• Perform basic equipment repairs and preventive maintenance. Report equipment to the appropriate person that is broken, needs maintenance, or needs replacement. 
• Assemble large equipment to include carts, racks, cabinets, chairs, shelving, hoods, etc.
• Handle hazards, animal waste, soiled bedding, chemicals, animal blood, and bodily materials.
• Participate in all required trainings and meetings.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

This description is a summary only and is describing the general level of work being performed, it is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change from time to time and/or based on business need. We reserve the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the supervisor and/or hiring authority.

Minimum Qualifications

• One year of experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position.

Substitution: Appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Required: Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with e-mail, word processing, and entering data into a database.
• Experience operating and maintaining complex machinery.

Competencies

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to exchange and collect information and handle situations in a calm and professional manner.
• Ability to communicate in the written form.
• Knowledge of different waste streams.
• Ability to work in a team environment, prioritize, plan, organize, and multi-task assignments.

Conditions of Employment

• This position requires the individual to perform physical work involving general tasks including hauling, lifting, and moving.
• Must be willing and able to sit, stoop, kneel and balance on an occasional basis, with or without accommodation.
• Must be willing and able to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 100 lbs. on an occasional basis, with or without accommodation.
• Must be willing and able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. on a frequent basis, with or without accommodation. Must be willing and able to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. on a constant basis, with or without accommodation.
• Must be willing and able to stand, walk, climb stairs, crouch and squat on a frequent basis, with or without accommodation.
• Must be willing and able to type/enter data on an occasional basis, with or without accommodation.
• Must be willing and able to bend and reach above shoulders on a constant basis, with or without accommodation.
• Must be willing and able to use peripheral vision, near and far vision and depth perception on a frequent basis.
• Must be able to use hearing and verbal communication on a constant basis.
• Must be willing and able to work around chemicals/solvents, infectious agents, radioactive agents, and work in hazardous conditions.
• Must be willing and able to work around noise and vibrations.
• Must be willing and able to walk on uneven surfaces and work in small, confined spaces.
• Must be willing and able to operate moving equipment/vehicles and work around machinery.
• Must be willing and able to wear appropriate respiratory and hearing protection.
• Must be willing and able to euthanize rodents and work with dead animal carcasses.
• Must possess and maintain a current, valid State of Colorado Driver’s License by the time of hire.
• Must be willing and able to work straight or rotating shifts, weekends and holidays.
• Must have ability to maintain activity logs.

NOTE: This position has been designated as essential personnel, “Subject to call 24 hours per day, seven days per week” and required to answer calls 24/7 from university device or personal device. Position may also be required to “Stay over late” or “Come in early” to “Cover” shifts, as needed and may be required to respond to any emergencies, as needed. If hired, you will be required to provide effective off-hours phone contact info for emergency call-in purposes.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range (or hiring range ) for this position has been established at $$34,000 to $37,500.  

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The above salary range (or hiring range ) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Diversity and Equity

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@ucdenver.edu ​.

The University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty, and administrative staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons within the LGBTQ+ community, and all veterans. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.

The University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will be responsible for travel expenses related to the interview process and any relocation expenses, if applicable.