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Senior Animal Attendant
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. Within the Department of Comparative Medicine, the Senior Animal Attendant supports animal care operations that are essential to research programs by maintaining animal colonies, supporting clinical and surgical services, and ensuring compliance with animal welfare standards. The Senior Animal Attendant plays a critical role in the daily care and monitoring of research animals and the maintenance of animal care facilities.
UT MD Anderson is dedicated to advancing scientific discovery through high-quality research support services. The Senior Animal Attendant works collaboratively with animal care, veterinary, and research teams to promote animal well-being, maintain regulatory compliance, and support operational excellence. The Senior Animal Attendant is an important contributor to the department's mission-driven environment.
The ideal candidate will have an Associate's or Bachelor's Degree, experience gained in a university research setting, and American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification. Candidates should demonstrate a strong commitment to animal welfare, compliance standards, and quality animal care practices within a research environment.
Minimum $19.23/hour - Midpoint $22.12/hour - Maximum $25.00/hour
The typical work schedule is Days, including weekends and holidays on a scheduled, rotating basis
Work Location: Bastrop, Texas; onsite
Why Us?
At UT MD Anderson, this role directly supports research activities by ensuring exceptional animal care and maintaining high standards for animal welfare, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. Team members have opportunities to develop specialized animal care skills, work alongside experienced professionals, and contribute to meaningful research while benefiting from comprehensive employee programs that support career growth and work-life balance.
• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD\&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.
Responsibilities
Animal Husbandry and Facility Maintenance
• Perform daily husbandry activities and disposal of waste materials.
• Operate cage sanitation equipment.
• Prepare and distribute daily diet and enrichment items.
• Transport animals using specialized training or handling techniques as required.
• Inspect lixit valves and water lines daily to ensure proper function.
• Inspect assigned animal areas, rooms, buildings, facilities, equipment, and enrichment items.
• Report facility, equipment, or animal area concerns to the Supervisor or Team Leader.
• Assist with microbiologic monitoring, including cage surface samples, water testing, water analysis, and sterilization QA/QC.
• Perform basic housekeeping tasks and restock supplies.
• Conduct inventory and report supply needs.
Animal Healthcare
• Conduct animal health and behavioral observations.
• Report changes in animal behavior or appearance to the Supervisor.
• Provide care for special needs animals, including infants.
• Assist with projects involving special handling techniques and protocol-specific personal protective equipment as needed.
• Assist with administering oral or topical medications as directed by the Supervisor or Clinical staff.
Administrative and Compliance
• Adhere to personal protective equipment requirements.
• Work safely in close proximity to animals.
• Ensure appropriate animal access to shelter, food, water, and separation from other groups.
• Follow proper cage and building lock procedures.
• Maintain required animal identification practices within assigned areas.
• Respond to emergency situations when needed.
• Participate in SOP training and consistently follow SOPs and departmental policies.
• Adhere to AAALAC and IACUC standards and USDA/AWA regulations.
• Provide timely and accurate husbandry and healthcare documentation, including GLP records.
Additional Duties
• Support Central Services, Clinic, and Surgery area.
• Assist in other animal care areas as needed.
• Work weekends and holidays on a scheduled, rotating basis.
• Comply with specific protocols when assigned to biocontainment areas.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION
• Required: A high school diploma or equivalent.
• Preferred: An Associate's Degree or a Bachelor's Degree.
WORK EXPERIENCE
• Required: One year of animal care experience in an animal hospital/clinic, research facility or related field.
• Preferred: Experience gained in a university research setting.
• With either preferred degree, no experience required.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
• Preferred: American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html