Animal Services Technician I

Location: Lenexa, KS Job Summary and Purpose: This role involves providing care for animals and offering technical support to the Animal Services Department, Quality Control, and Research and Development. The position includes assisting with quality control assessments and conducting research and development trials to produce poultry and swine vaccines. This position requires a strong commitment to animal welfare, meticulous attention to detail and a fundamental understanding of scientific and regulatory guidelines. Responsibilities and Key Duties: · Daily work in Animal Facilities: includes monitoring, feeding and caring for the animals, cleaning habitat and facilities. · Support and Assist Clinical Activities: involves assisting with trial or studies involving the animals, in compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s). · Operation and Maintenance of Equipment involves operating equipment and ensuring that all equipment is in good working order. · Preparation of Lab and Study Materials: prepare and organize materials needed to conduct an animal trial or study, including research subjects, habitat, challenge material and documentation. · Documentation and Compliance requires accurate and concurrent record keeping in accordance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). This includes compliance for research activities and documentation. · Animal Welfare: prioritizing the welfare of animals within AVMA, USDA and company regulations and guidelines. · Regulatory Compliance: performing tasks in accordance with USDA, Federal and State regulations and company guidelines. · Travel (i.e. drive a vehicle) between local Ceva locations to provide weekend coverage as needed · Adhere to company safety and policies. · All other duties as assigned Core Competencies: · Shape solutions out of complexity · Client focus · Collaborate with empathy · Engage and develop · Drive ambition and accountability · Influence others Technical / Functional Competencies: o Technical Skills: o Scientific Skills: technician has fundamental understanding of clinical procedures. They should be familiar with common terminology, tools, and procedures used in a clinical setting. The technician needs to understand the importance of biosecurity and biosafety in a research facility. o Quality Skills: knowledge of GLP/GMP techniques and fundamental understanding of USDA regulations. o Study Skills: fundamental/basic work skills related to study process, documentation and data management. o Project Skills: fundamental knowledge and performance of common trial activities. o IT Skills: basic knowledge and skills of standard office software for data input. o Functional Skills: o Accurate Observation and concurrent record-keeping o Basic understanding of federal and state regulations o Basic vaccination and challenge techniques o Basic animal restraint, movement, tagging, and husbandry skills. o Basic blood and tissue sampling techniques o Disinfection and cleaning o Assist with animal necropsy, disposal and disinfection o Compliance with company and departmental SOP’s o Euthanasia in accordance with AVMA guidelines. Qualifications: Education – High School Diploma or equivalent. Work Experience – Previous experience in animal care and husbandry preferred, especially poultry and/or swine. Other- Valid Driver’s License Physical Requirements: Ability to: · Drive a vehicle between local Ceva locations as needed · Stand 90% of Shift · Lift up to 50 lbs. · Bending · Visual Inspection · Verbal Communication Working Conditions: · Work will be performed both indoors (designed for animal comfort) and outdoors (in all weather conditions). · Ability to work effectively in both team and individual settings. · Bio-security is maintained through multiple showers and clothing changes per day. · Exposure to animal or poultry dander, waste, odor, and other potential allergens. Possible Exposures (NIH Risk Group 2 Agents): · Bacterial Agents: Actinobacillus, Bordetella, campylobacter, Clostridium, Escherichia coli, Mycoplasma, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus. · Possible Viral Agents: Influenza viruses (types A, B, C), low pathogenicity Avian Influenza strains, Newcastle disease virus, Poxviruses (except Monkeypox virus), recombinant · Or other agents as new projects develop. Travel Required: This position may require travel 2% of the time. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, duties and responsibilities or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not an employment contract. Ceva reserves the right to modify job duties and/or job descriptions at any time to meet the needs of the business. *VEVRAA Federal Contractor **Ceva is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Ceva encourages men and women, members of all racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. 669B