Cage Processing Technician

Job Summary

This position will be responsible for providing daily cleaning and maintenance tasks required for the health and cleanliness of research animals and their housing facilities within any one of the Animal Care Services research facilities. The work includes an assortment of cleaning tasks, inspection, and repair of equipment and some routine laboratory work. The incumbent is expected to have a general familiarity with day-to-day activities and processes in multiple facilities working with multiple species.

Work may involve the use of potentially hazardous material or may be located in areas where such materials are used. Work will require the use of personal protective equipment.

Organizational Status

The Operations Managers within Animal Care Services are ultimately responsible for this position, however day to day direction will be determined by the current organizational chart and operational need.

The Centre for Disease Modeling (CDM) is a 90,000 sq. ft. animal facility capable of holding 27,000 rodent cages. CDM is a barrier facility and operations include Breeding, Research Containment Level 1 & 2, procedural and surgical space, and material management.

The Modified Barrier Facility (MBF) is a 22,000 sq. ft. animal facility capable of holding 7,000 rodent cages. MBF is a multi-barrier facility, equipped with conventional and barrier zones and ample procedural space, which includes Containment Level 1 & 2, as well as information technology, material management, and training.

The Centre for Comparative Medicine (CCM) is a rapidly growing and dynamic environment in which staff partner with researchers from both academia and industry. The research encompasses a broad range of topics from furthering our understanding of basic medical sciences, to improving our abilities to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease in human and non-human animals.

Animal Care Services (ACS), the largest animal care program in Western Canada and the second largest in Canada, is responsible for providing research support to the animal-based research community, associated with the University of British Columbia and its affiliates through its veterinary services team, the compliance team, the procurement team and its facilities. ACS is committed to providing excellence in research support to all UBC researchers with accountability, communication, cooperation, customer service and integrity. ACS reports to the Associate Vice President Research & Innovation.

Work Performed

Operations, maintenance, quality assurance and troubleshooting of equipment including but not limited to:

Rack and tunnel washers, bedding vacuum system, bottle filling system, high pressure spray units, autoclaves/bulk sterilizers, sonicators, water bag compactors, vertical form-fill-seal machines, dry heat ovens, barrel mover, floor scrubbers, washer, dryers, chemical dispensing stations, emergency eye wash stations and showers.

Performs and reports periodic minor maintenance, adjustment, repair, and setup tasks of facility related equipment to support facility activities.

Evaluate facility equipment, trends, and workflow patterns to make recommendations.

Assure remedial action is taken and documented whenever equipment or workflow deviates from established specifications to ensure work is completed.

General cleaning duties including but not limited to:

• Cleaning and preparation of cages, accessories, bottles, carts, and racks.

• Preparation and use of disinfectants and detergents.

• Preparation and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste.

• Monitor chlorine levels to ensure accurate treatment within facility.

• Prioritize laundry tasks, collect and treat soiled laundry to produce clean linen, when required.

• Inventory consumable supplies and reorder as required or report to the CP Coordinator/Supervisor(s).

• Cleaning, stocking and maintenance of lunchrooms, washrooms, showers, locker rooms, offices, instrument wash, procedure, loading bay and other common use spaces.

Plan, coordinate, and monitor workflow so that facility equipment is available and ready at appropriate times, when the CP Coordinator/Supervisor(s) are unavailable.

Complete required reports as needed.

Cleaning, organization of workspace and general upkeep of the facility.

Follow all safety standards, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and policies.

Report any safety concerns to the ACS Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee (JOHSC).

Performing other related duties.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This person must be willing to pay attention to details and be willing to repeat tasks if necessary. Work will be clearly defined and tasks and duties will require following a standard operating procedure already in place; however, there is room for innovative thinking to improve upon existing procedures. Incorrect decisions could result in the disruption of critical care services, deterioration of animal health and/or ruination of a research study. Inappropriate judgment exercised by the position may impact the success of the facility, leading to increased expenses and time loss.

Supervision Received
Works under direct supervision in accordance with detailed oral or written instructions; routine duties are carried out under general supervision.

Supervision Given
None but may explain work sequences to others.

Minimum Qualifications
High school graduation and a minimum one year of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of a Veterinary Office Assistant program or equivalent an asset.

• Experience in working in an animal research facility an asset.

• Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, organizational and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work both independently and within a team environment.

• Ability to be thorough, accurate, and have a high level of attention to detail.

• Ability to perform the physical demands of the job including: working in humid environments with varying temperatures; continuous exposure to animal dander, odors, excreta, dust, and noise, including potentially lethal pathogens.

• Able to lift up to 25 kgs several times throughout the day and work in an environment that requires continuous walking, bending, stooping, reaching, twisting and turning.

• Ability to operate job-related equipment.

• Ability to read and comprehend technical material.

• Be willing to maintain and upgrade training.

• Ability to train others.

• Ability to understand and apply policies, SOPs, instructions and applicable Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines.

• Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.

• Ability to listen actively and attentively, and obtain clarification as required.

• Ability to deal with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner.

• Ability to work toward consensus and resolve differences.

• Ability to demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships.

• Ability to resolve complaints and interpersonal conflict in a calm, non-confrontational manner, and by exercising sound judgment.

• Ability to work weekends, evenings and statutory holidays.