The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Department of Biology is seeking to hire an
Aquatic Animal Facility Assistant who will ensure technical and aquatic animal husbandry services at the JHU Department of Biology and Carnegie Institute of Embryology (EMB). Primary responsibilities include the provision of animal husbandry to aquatic species (zebrafish and coral) that may be utilized in biomedical research, welfare, and technical assistance in support of research initiatives. The Aquatic Animal Facility Assistant works independently in tasks that are routinely performed, performs sanitation, husbandry and support functions, and conducts work in accordance with several policies including the JHU and EMB Animal Care and Use Committee policies, and the standard operating procedures for the animal facility.
The position requires working Sunday - Thursday, working holidays and responding to alarms outside of routine work hours on a rotating basis.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities- Provision of animal husbandry to aquatic species (zebrafish and corals) and husbandry room activities.
- Provide animal care and husbandry services, including but not limited to,
- Observe and report any abnormalities in animals, equipment, or facilities to the Lead Aquatics Manager, investigators, or building managers.
- Identify and report potential problem areas with personnel, equipment, or facilities.
- Perform husbandry and environmental monitoring in accordance with established SOPs.
- Ensure that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are followed.
- Assist, when requested, in experimental planning and logistics and scheduling of projects (such as zebrafish sperm freezing, gate pulling, breeding programs).
- Participate in an ongoing employee training program.
- Perform job tasks and duties in compliance with facility policies and regulations.
- Adhere to equipment sanitation and sterilization schedules.
- Ensure that records, logbooks, databases, and other project records are appropriately maintained.
- Recommend changes in operational procedures that might increase the efficiency or effectiveness of work procedures or practices.
- Responsible for completing assigned duties according to established procedures, guidelines, and instructions.
- The successful candidate will have strong interpersonal skills and demonstrate the ability to interact with multiple lead investigators depending on the research animal area
- Recognize animal illness, abnormal water chemistry values, and abnormal behaviors of animals, correctly notifying the responsible personnel immediately.
- Adhere to established SOPs.
- Assist in the receipt of animals, supplies, and feed.
- Assure accurate reporting and maintenance of routinely used items.
- Support and comply with quality control/quality assurance and training programs.
- Maintain a current knowledge of existing and proposed laws, regulations, and guidelines affecting the care and use of the animal.
- Effectively communicate in English (both oral and written form) and demonstrate use of good leadership, team building, and management skills.
- Technical service to include maintaining all aquatic support equipment, breeding schedules, stock/strain breeding, setup of fish breeding tanks for investigator use, and maintaining all aquatic facilities.
- Change aquatic holding tanks as per SOP to maintain appropriate water quality and provide visibility of animals for daily observations.
- Deliver dirty tanks to designated facilities, run cage wash as needed and return clean items to proper location.
- Applies aquatic terminology in all methods of communication.
- Safely and correctly handles and restrains animals for observation or minor procedures.
- Applies knowledge of basic aquatic water chemistry and monitors water quality weekly.
- Assists in coordinating the use of all aquatic procedure areas.
- Keeping areas stocked with supplies, (e.g., crossing tanks, nets, screens, etc.).
- Applies knowledge of similarities and differences of types of aquatic holding systems.
- Inventories supplies on a daily basis and follows proper ordering procedures for restocking supplies.
- Participate in weekly and monthly facility meetings and report to Lead Aquatics Manager.
Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities- The successful candidate will have strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
- Must have the basic knowledge of computer software as in word and excel.
- Must be reliable in attendance to ensure animals receive the appropriate level of care.
- Work with husbandry staff in feeding and daily maintenance protocols for consistency in care.
- Routine work hours are between 8am-4pm hours are dictated by the institutional research schedule, weekend, and holiday work to be scheduled on a rotating basis.
- Requires responding to facility aquaria alarms outside of routine work hours.
- Employees may be required to work outside performing tasks associated with picking up and delivering animals, supplies and small equipment; transporting waste and recyclables; moving equipment into and out of remote storage locations; traveling from one facility to another; and climbing ladders.
Minimum Qualifications- High School Diploma or graduation equivalent. Associate's degree in Veterinary Technology, Animal Science or Biology preferred.
- One year of related experience.
- Additional education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
Preferred Qualifications- High School degree or equivalent.
- One (1) year of laboratory animal care or related experience.
- Able to perform routine work independently.
- Basic aquatics knowledge.
- Lifting/moving requirements - up to 50 pounds.
- Work with undergrad work study students on their weekend workday.
- Must be able to push, pull, climb, stoop, kneel, bend, reach, walk, sit, and stand for prolonged periods.
- Animal care and technical duties will be performed indoors in an animal care vivarium and a laboratory facility.
- Laboratory environments and/or animal care work areas may be prone to hot and humid conditions, and subject to objectionable odors, aerosols, dust, and noise.
Classified Title: Veterinary Technician
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Aquatic Animal Facility Assistant
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CC
Starting Salary Range: $15.70 - $26.25 HRLY (Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday- Sunday, 8 am - 5 pm, 5 days a week, but may work weekends
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Location: Homewood Campus
Department name: Biology
Personnel area: School of Arts & Sciences
Total Rewards
The referenced base salary range represents the low and high end of Johns Hopkins University's salary range for this position. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. Exact salary will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, market conditions, education/training and other qualifications. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/.
Education and Experience Equivalency
Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines: JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.
Applicants Completing Studies
Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.
Background Checks
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.
Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
EEO is the Law
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf
Accommodation Information
If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit https://accessibility.jhu.edu/.
Vaccine Requirements
Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry.
This change does not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must be fully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof of vaccination status. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.
The following additional provisions may apply, depending upon campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.
The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.
Homewood Campus
