Job Description

K\xc4\x81pili Services, LLC has a potential need for Animal Caretakers to provide support for the 711th Human Performance Wing at Tri-Service Research Laboratory (TSRL), JBSA, Fort Sam Houston, TX.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Workload is based on the species of animals housed, the average daily census for each species, and the total number of animal days per species. The projected species, average daily census, and total animal days per year are subject to fluctuation depending on research requirements. Generally, large changes are identified at least once a month in advance, while the research requirements go through the approval process. Workload may fluctuate and necessitate an increase or decrease in caretaker personnel. It is nature of the mission that dictates the anticipated fluctuating average number of animal subjects in-house. The potential animals that can be housed in the facility include mice and rats (rodents), hamsters, guinea pigs, ferrets, rabbits, snakes, sheep, goats, swine, and primates.
• Maintain a clean environment in the animal cages, enclosure and adjacent areas. Clean and sanitizes cages, runs, cage racks, animal shipping crates, cage accessories, feeders, watering devices, recoil hoses for automatic watering system, equipment, etc. in accordance with (IAW) the Service Summary of this PWS. Clean animal cages or enclosures, which shall be free from dirty or contaminated bedding material, leftover food, dirty water, feces, urine, deleterious material and all residues. Maintain animal use and housing areas in

Appendix A, Government Furnished Facilities to include sanitizing/disinfecting animal rooms, animal room doors and windows, adjacent hallways, local processors, foyers, storage space, and feed storage refrigerators. Surfaces, lamp and light fixtures, trash containers, ducts, louvers, door grills and equipment surfaces.

• Transport trash generated in animal care facilities to the dumpster daily.

• Assure that feed and water containers are cleaned, sanitized and filled IAW the current appropriate and applicable 711 HPW/RHD Animal Care and Use Program (ACUP) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Check automatic watering system, bottle filling station, recoil hose flush station, chlorine injector station and chlori-flush station for correct operation and notifies Vivarium Facility Manager or the Branch Chief of all issues for work orders to be placed. Check, at least monthly, the 30- micron inlet water filter cartridge on the bottle filling station and replaces it as necessary.

• Routinely lift and move objects (e.g., feed bags, bedding bags, drums of cage wash chemicals, and animal cages) weighing up to 50 pounds by hand and up to 250 pounds with handcarts. Unload, lift, carry, and stack large bags or boxes of animal feed, bedding material, fresh fruits, and other supplies and equipment. Inventory stock levels of these items and notify 711 HPW/RHDV Animal Care Specialist Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC), Attending Veterinarian (AV) and VFM for reorder as required. Pick up supply items promptly, examine and store within four hours (or before shift ends, whichever comes first) of notification. Any inventory variations (i.e., quantity or quality) shall be reported to 711 HPW/RHDV Animal Care Specialist NCOIC, AV and VFM.

• Feed and water laboratory animals IAW appropriate and applicable 711 HPW/RHD ACUP SOPs. Prepare and feed animals on regular, special diets, enrichment. Observe feeding habits of individual animals and report any irregularities in appetite, consumption rate or rejection of feed to 711 HPW/RHDV Animal Care Specialist NCOIC, AV and VFM. Report any unwholesome or poor- quality feed to 711 HPW/RHDV Animal Care Specialist NCOIC, AV and VFM. All feeding shall be completed within one hour of the scheduled time and shall have the quantity and type prescribed.

• Observe animals continually for indication of poor health, or abnormal behavior injury during daily husbandry procedures. Report any abnormal stool or urine conditions, evidence of parasites, appearance of blood or mucous and any suspicious skin or coat conditions to 711 HPW/RHDV Animal Care Specialist NCOIC, AV and VFM. Collect biological samples as prescribed. Assist with non-technical protocol/research tasks and duties of an ALAT-qualified employee and/or veterinary technician for the continuity of programmatic mission support.

• Log all tasks into vivarium environmental software program, such as Edstrom and Viewpoint, upon completion. Once the contractor employees are trained by

• Required to enter all completed tasks and observations into this database.

• Handle and/or restrain animals in conjunction with relocating, examining, grooming, or administering medication. Ensure accurate identification of animals moved, requested or treated. Perform restraint of laboratory animals, including nonhuman primates. Animal movements shall be accomplished by moving individually restrained animals, individual cages, multi-cage racks, shipping crates, transfer cages, or herding of animals/livestock. Movements of animals and equipment between buildings shall be done using an enclosed Government furnished laboratory animal transport vehicle.

• Transport animal carcasses, tissues, waste and/or fluids to one of the biowaste walk-in coolers as required. Biological waste from the 711 HPW/RHDV walk-in cooler shall be transported at least once a week but not more than once a day as required to preclude excessive accumulation and/or putrefaction of biologic waste.

• Drive Government owned vehicles to transport laboratory animals, biological samples, feeding, bedding, cages, and related equipment between the various animal holding areas and research laboratories both on and off base. While driving Government-owned vehicles, the contractor employees shall comply with applicable civilian and military driving regulations.

• Operate cage washing machines, portable steam generators, tissue digester, vehicles and other equipment as required IAW the manufacturer\'s operating manual. Monitor cage washer operations and maintains a logbook of temperature test results.

• Inspect cages to ensure door latches and fittings are operational. Performs minor adjustments and/or repairs to caging and automatic watering systems and notifies 711 HPW/RHDV or AV when major maintenance and/or repair parts are needed. Transport cages, racks and other equipment for maintenance and repair on or off base.

• Not move, clean, or handle the following equipment when in use: surgical instruments, cautery machines, physiological monitoring equipment, anesthesia machines, and other animal patient medical treatment equipment. When the equipment is not in use the contractor employees shall move the equipment as necessary to facilitate cleaning tables, floors, and walls. Responsible for moving all equipment or furniture to allow for cleaning under or behind it. Responsible for cleaning of all equipment not excluded above or excluded by other Government instructions, as well as be responsible for the disposal of single service supplies/equipment such as gloves, facemasks, etc.

• Wear required protective clothing and equipment. Follow all applicable safety procedures/guidelines and complies with all applicable environmental rules and regulations.

• Comply with all required animal care and use training, for example AALAS and annually animal user training (AAUT).

• Observe all base and JBSA-Ft. Sam Houston, TX utility conservation practices.

• Ensure the accurate and timely reporting of contractor employee\xe2\x80\x99s work schedules to Lead Animal Caretaker, for daily/weekly facility safety and strength and will be responsible for updating the facility worker accountability computer log.

REQUIRED DEGREE/EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:

• Minimum of a high school diploma with at least five (5) years\xe2\x80\x99 experience working in a laboratory animal facility, to include demonstrating a minimum of three (3) years working with non-human primate.

• Obtain/maintain Texas state driver\xe2\x80\x99s license in order to drive Government-owned vehicles.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Must have a signed Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) in place with their company based on the potential access to confidential, proprietary, and/or sensitive information. The NDA shall be provided to the Government Program Manager by start of performance.

REQUIRED CITIZENSHIP AND CLEARANCE:

• Must be a US citizen.
• Must be able to pass a Tier 1 (SF85) background check.

\xe2\x80\x8bThe Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) is a fast-growing government service provider. Employees enjoy competitive salaries. Eligible employees enjoy a 401K plan with company match; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage; tuition reimbursement; paid time off; and 10 paid holidays. The Alaka`ina Foundation FOCs is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer of individuals with disabilities and veterans. We are proud to state that we do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status. If you are a person with a disability and you need accommodation during the application process, please click to request accommodation. We E-Verify all employees.

The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) is comprised of industry-recognized government service firms designated as Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO)-owned and 8(a) certified businesses. The Family of Companies (FOCs) includes Ke`aki Technologies, Laulima Government Solutions, K\xc5\xabpono Government Services, Kapili Services, Po`okela Solutions, K\xc4\xabkaha Solutions, LLC, and Pololei Solutions, LLC. Alaka`ina Foundation activities under the 501(c)3 principally benefit the youth of Hawaii through charitable efforts which include providing innovative educational programs that combine leadership, science & technology, and environmental stewardship.

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