What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal Care Tech I position at University of Colorado Boulder?
Summary
Job Summary
The Office of Animal Resources (OAR) with the University of Colorado, Boulder is accepting applications for an Animal Care Tech I! This position supports research involving laboratory animals by providing animal care and husbandry services, supervising animal health, and maintaining animal care facilities, in compliance with university and federal standards. This role also provides routine and specialized care for a variety of species of small laboratory animals which are used by scientists for research and education at the University of Colorado Boulder. This is an entry-level position that will require working during the weekend.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
The Office of Animal Resources (OAR) is a service center within the Research & Innovation Office (RIO) responsible for providing high-quality animal care, veterinary care, and support for the research and teaching missions of the University of Colorado Boulder. The highly dedicated and experienced OAR staff is committed to the health and well-being of laboratory animals, student and investigator training, and technical service.
RIO is the central point for support and advocacy for CU Boulder’s world-class scholarship, creative work, and growing research enterprise. We are focused on creating global impact by cultivating and supporting collaboration, transformation and leadership. At the heart of this focus are the contributions of a wide range of world-class experts, working together to accelerate ideas throughout the innovation lifecycle. We endeavor to embody CU Boulder's dedication to exemplifying excellence by creating a welcoming environment, enhancing the success of all students, staff and faculty, and deepening our ability to share and engage with varied perspectives.
Responsibilities
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Animal Husbandry
Onboarding training will begin from Monday - Friday. Once training is complete, the schedule will shift to weekends regularly with two consecutive weekdays off with the possibility of coming off of weekends as staffing or operational needs change.
What We Can Offer
The annual salary range for this position is $39,500-41,000.
Benefits
At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be ambitious. Be inspired. Be Boulder.
What We Require
To Apply, Please Submit The Following Materials
Please apply by November 16, 2025 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs .
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Essential Services
This position is designated “essential services.” The incumbent is required to respond to requests for work during campus emergencies (snow, wind, rain, flood and any other natural or man-made event) and report to work for his / her regularly assigned shift during emergency campus closures.
Job Summary
The Office of Animal Resources (OAR) with the University of Colorado, Boulder is accepting applications for an Animal Care Tech I! This position supports research involving laboratory animals by providing animal care and husbandry services, supervising animal health, and maintaining animal care facilities, in compliance with university and federal standards. This role also provides routine and specialized care for a variety of species of small laboratory animals which are used by scientists for research and education at the University of Colorado Boulder. This is an entry-level position that will require working during the weekend.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
The Office of Animal Resources (OAR) is a service center within the Research & Innovation Office (RIO) responsible for providing high-quality animal care, veterinary care, and support for the research and teaching missions of the University of Colorado Boulder. The highly dedicated and experienced OAR staff is committed to the health and well-being of laboratory animals, student and investigator training, and technical service.
RIO is the central point for support and advocacy for CU Boulder’s world-class scholarship, creative work, and growing research enterprise. We are focused on creating global impact by cultivating and supporting collaboration, transformation and leadership. At the heart of this focus are the contributions of a wide range of world-class experts, working together to accelerate ideas throughout the innovation lifecycle. We endeavor to embody CU Boulder's dedication to exemplifying excellence by creating a welcoming environment, enhancing the success of all students, staff and faculty, and deepening our ability to share and engage with varied perspectives.
Responsibilities
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Animal Husbandry
- Change and/or clean soiled animal cages, feeding devices and watering devices.
- Clean and sanitize at regular intervals direct and indirect animal contact surfaces by washing with appropriate detergents/disinfectants.
- Collect soiled animal bedding and other wastes and transport to designated waste disposal sites (i.e. cage wash room or dumpster).
- Procure animal feed and supplies from appropriate support areas and transport to required use site.
- Evaluate the basic health status of animals and report abnormalities to the appropriate personnel.
- Weigh, administer medications, breed, record breeding status data, euthanize, restrain, receives and transports laboratory animals as directed by supervisor or veterinarian.
- Record daily animal care activities on room check sheets and enter work activities into database.
- Contact appropriate personnel regarding dead/sick animals, overcrowded cages, euthanasia requests and specific project requirements via e-mail or phone.
- Scan cage cards to record animal census in the animal rooms.
- Ensure that all appropriate documentation is completed for all rooms assigned to their area.
- Select, prepare, dispense and deploy hazardous chemicals and disinfectants according to manufacturer's instructions in cleaning and sanitizing animal rooms, racks, cages and pens and animal support areas.
- Operate mechanical equipment to clean and sterilize cages such as autoclaves and cage washers.
- Operate equipment such as floor buffers, high pressure washers, laundry equipment, and environmental monitoring equipment for cleaning/sanitizing purposes.
- Clean/sanitize/disinfect animal holding rooms, procedure rooms, and support rooms.
- Ensure that all rooms within their assigned area are following strict SOP guidelines.
Onboarding training will begin from Monday - Friday. Once training is complete, the schedule will shift to weekends regularly with two consecutive weekdays off with the possibility of coming off of weekends as staffing or operational needs change.
What We Can Offer
The annual salary range for this position is $39,500-41,000.
Benefits
At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be ambitious. Be inspired. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- One year of experience caring for, feeding, or providing health care for animals in a veterinary laboratory, breeding or boarding facility.
- College coursework in a field of study related to the work assignment may substitute.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, customer service, critical thinking, written communication, verbal communication, organization, attention to detail, general office equipment, bookkeeping, problem solving, time management, computer use, and basic mathematical skills.
- Must be willing and able to: sit, stoop, kneel, and balance on an occasional basis, with or without accommodation.
- Experience working in an animal research facility.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills and experience in database management.
- Experience managing inventory and moving freight.
- Experience handling small rodents and animals.
- Experience with dead animal carcasses.
- Experience using a variety of cagewash equipment.
To Apply, Please Submit The Following Materials
- A current resume.
- A cover letter that briefly describes how your background and experience align with this position.
Please apply by November 16, 2025 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs .
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Essential Services
This position is designated “essential services.” The incumbent is required to respond to requests for work during campus emergencies (snow, wind, rain, flood and any other natural or man-made event) and report to work for his / her regularly assigned shift during emergency campus closures.
Salary : $39,500 - $41,000
