Overview
Tanaq Management Services (TMS) delivers professional, scientific, and technical services and information technology (IT) solutions to federal agencies in the health, agriculture, technology, and other government services. TMS is a subsidiary of the St. George Tanaq Corporation, an Alaskan Native Corporation (ANC) committed to serving Federal customers while also giving back to the Tanaq native community and shareholders.
About the Role
We are seeking a Cage Wash Technician Lead to provide cage wash support and oversee all related daily activities required for the proper care and maintenance of the animal care program for our public health federal customer's facility.
This position is responsible for coordinating and performing the cleaning, sanitization, disinfection, and preparation of animal cages, housing equipment, associated equipment, animal rooms, and facility support areas. The Lead operates and assists in managing the Cage Wash area while providing daily direction and guidance to Cage Wash Technicians. This position requires working with biohazardous materials, sharps, heavy equipment, and machinery. The position also requires frequent lifting, pushing, pulling, bending, standing, and other physical activities.
This is an entirely onsite position at our customer's location in Atlanta, Georgia.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate Daily Cagewash Operations: Provide daily direction, guidance, and training to Cagewash Technicians and assist with coordinating daily workload and operational priorities.
- Maintain Facility Areas: Clean and maintain animal rooms, support areas, service areas, and storage areas in accordance with established schedules and procedures.
- Monitor Cleanliness and Sanitation: Monitor cages, rooms, and facility areas for cleanliness, vermin, contaminants, and other conditions that may adversely affect animal health or facility operations.
- Monitor Sanitation Effectiveness: Monitor the effectiveness of cleaning and sanitization procedures and identify potential sources of contamination, vermin, microbiological organisms, or other conditions that could adversely affect the health of laboratory animals.
- Perform Microbial Sampling: Perform microbial sampling of caging, equipment, and animal room surfaces to assess the effectiveness of cleaning and sanitization procedures and document results as required.
- Manage Waste: Coordinate and monitor the appropriate removal, handling, and disposal of bagged waste and other animal-related or contaminated materials in accordance with established SOPs, safety requirements, and facility procedures.
- Operate and Monitor Equipment: Operate and monitor Cagewash equipment and perform routine operational checks. Identify and report equipment malfunctions, maintenance needs, and safety concerns.
- Maintain Documentation: Maintain and review required Cagewash logs, equipment records, sanitation records, microbial sampling documentation, checklists, and other required records.
- Support Facility Operations: Support facility moves, room decommissioning, inventory activities, and other animal care and facility operational activities as assigned. Perform other duties within the scope of the position and Statement of Work.
Required Experience and Skills
- Minimum 1-2 years of previous work experience or training in animal husbandry and/or cage washing highly desired.
- Capable of performing basic animal care duties.
- Ability to exercise logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
- Ability to multitask, prioritize responsibilities, and meet established deadlines.
- Ability to follow SOPs, safety requirements, sanitation procedures, and established work instructions.
- Ability to provide direction and training to CageWash personnel.
- Experience in processing and disposal of biohazard waste is highly desired.
- Cage-washing skills from working in an ABSL-3 or higher facility are highly desired.
- Be able to don and doff the required Personal Protective Equipment.
- Supervisory experience preferred.
- Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication abilities in English.
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and standard procedures.
- Ability to work independently and within a team.
- Ability to obtain government clearance.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.
- Will be required to work with, take specific precautions against and/or be immunized against potentially hazardous agents.
Education and Training
- High school diploma or General Education Degree (G.E.D.) required.
- Must attain certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science as an Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) within 1 year of hire.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand, walk, or otherwise move about the facility on a continuous basis.
- Ability to lift, carry, or otherwise move and position objects and materials weighing up to 55 lbs.
- Must have no known allergies to animals, feed, or chemicals
- Walking, reaching, bending, and stooping.
- May be exposed to Hazardous materials and will be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect against exposure to pathogens and chemicals.
- Ability to obtain necessary immunizations against vaccine-preventable diseases relevant to laboratory placement, including Hepatitis B, among others.
- Ability to obtain respiratory clearance and fit testing may be required.
- Must be able to work with hazardous chemicals and potentially infectious biological agents.
Who We Are
Tanaq Management Services (TMS) is a public health contractor, certified 8(a) business, owned by St. George Tanaq Corporation, an Alaska Native Corporation. (ANC). We listen to our stakeholders and leverage our science, technology, communication, and program expertise to understand and provide feedback as we develop solutions.
Our Commitment to Non-Discrimination
Tanaq is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Tanaq complies with the Drug-free Workplace Act of 1988 and E-Verify.
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance completing any part of the application process, please email accommodation@tanaq.com to request a reasonable accommodation. This email is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
Notice on Candidate AI Usage
Tanaq is committed to ensuring a fair and competitive interview process for all candidates based on their experience, skills and education. To ensure the integrity of the interview process, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during phone, in person and virtual interviews is not allowed. However, candidates who require a reasonable accommodation that may involve AI are required to contact us prior to their interview at accommodation@tanaq.com.
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