Animal Care Assistant

Western University • Part-time • London, Ontario, Canada • USD $ 17 / hour • 5d ago

About Western

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

About Us

The Department of Biology is the largest academic unit in the Faculty of Science. Our ~40 full-time faculty members teach close to 70 courses to over 13,000 students annually, host approximately 1,300 majors, and have an average graduate enrollment of 120 - 140 students, supported by close to 30 full-time staff members. The Department is housed in six main buildings (B&GS, WSC, Collip, NCB, AFAR, and Biotron). We are broadly based in biology research and teaching, as we pursue biological knowledge from the scale of molecules to ecosystems. We are also a diverse and collegial community that fosters learning, growth, and student success through inquiry, discovery, and innovation in a working environment committed to mutual respect.

For more information please visit http://www.westernu.ca/biology

Responsibilities

The Animal Care Assistant cleans and maintains animal rooms (Drosophila, in the Biotron Insect suite, generate genetic crosses as requested, collect animals for experiments), and stocks, prepares, and disposes of various supplies. The role demonstrates sincere compassion and care for animals, and must be available to work with all species in all areas of the facilities, in accordance with the approved Animal Use Protocols.

Qualifications

Education:

Secondary School Diploma or equivalent

Experience:

9 months’ experience working with animals (Drosophila) in a professional setting

Skills, Abilities & Expertise:

Demonstrated ability to provide timely and consistent animal husbandry that complies with all Animal Care & Veterinary Services (ACVS) policies
Ability to maintain animal care standards in accordance with regulatory guidelines and laws
Demonstrated multi-sensory understanding of, and response to, animal 'normal' observation for multiple species in the context of the approved Animal Use Protocol
Proven attention to detail, organizational and multi-tasking skills with the ability to maintain accurate records
Basic computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite
Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals
Personable and courteous in all interactions
Ability to consistently use ergonomically sound processes and practices in accordance with Western's Rehabilitation Services assessments and Occupational Health & Safety guidelines while performing the following physical activities:

- Lifting: floor to waist - up to 50 lbs
- Lifting: waist to shoulder - up to 50 lbs
- Lifting: above shoulder - up to 8 lbs

Pushing and Pulling on a frequent basis
Carrying on an occasional basis
Bending on a frequent basis
Gripping on a frequent basis
Standing and walking on a frequent basis
Squatting on an occasional basis
Repetitive shoulder/arm/wrist motion with regards to cage washing, changing and cage checking

Why Western?

Western offers a broad and exciting variety of part-time and temporary employment opportunities with ample room for job exploration and growth. Within our beautiful campus, you are part of a progressive work environment that promotes work/life balance including access to our state-of-the-art recreation centre. Apply for an opportunity to be part of the Western community and contribute to its success!

Applying at Western

To ensure that your application is given full consideration, please complete all relevant sections of the application. In addition, you can choose to supplement your application with a cover letter and current resume.

Consideration of applicants will include an assessment of previous performance, experience, and qualifications. Applicants should have oral communication skills in English.

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

This position is an existing vacancy. This position is fully in-person, on-site. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.