The Johns Hopkins University Department of Biology is seeking to hire a part-time Aquatic Animal Facility Assistant who will ensure technical and aquatic animal husbandry services at the JHU Department of Biology. Primary responsibilities include the provision of animal husbandry to aquatic species (zebrafish) 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 Animal Care and Use Committee policies, and the standard operating procedures for the animal facility.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Must be available to work Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon mornings from 8am - 12pm.
• Routine work hours between 8am-12pm hours are dictated by the institutional research schedule.
• Must be available to work on University Holidays. Holiday work to be scheduled on a rotating basis.
• Lead husbandry staff (e.g. student workers) in feeding and daily maintenance protocols for consistency in care.
• Must be reliable in attendance to ensure animals receive the appropriate level of care.
• Provision of animal husbandry to aquatic species (zebrafish) and husbandry room activities including feeding.
• Observe and report any abnormalities in animals, equipment, or facilities to the floor supervisor, investigators, or building managers.
• Perform husbandry and environmental monitoring (e.g. water quality, pH, conductivity, water tubing) in accordance with established SOPs.
• Ensure that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are appropriate for the continued maintenance of ACUC accreditation of the facilities.
• Assist, when requested, in experimental planning and logistics and scheduling of projects (such as 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 facility users.
• Recognize various parasites, abnormal clinical chemistry values, and abnormal behaviors of animals, correctly notifying the veterinarian immediately.
• Assist in the receipt of animals, supplies, and feed.
• Assure accurate reporting and maintenance of routinely used items.
• Effectively communicate in English (both oral and written form) and demonstrate use of good leadership, team building, and management skills.
• Clean dirty aquarium tanks and deliver tanks to designated facilities for cage wash activities.
• Safely and correctly handles and restrains animals for observation or minor procedures.
• Assists in coordinating the use of all aquatic procedure areas.
• This involves keeping the areas stocked with supplies, (e.g., crossing tanks, nets, screens, petri dishes, embryo media).
• Applies knowledge of similarities and differences of types of aquatic holding systems.

Other duties as assigned

• Potential to provide weekday coverage if there is short staffing and unable to find replacements.

• 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.

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 ($21,000 targeted; Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Part-time 
Schedule: Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon, 8 am - 12 pm 
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt 
Location: Homewood Campus 
Department name: ​​​​​​​Biology 
Personnel area: School of Arts & Sciences