Animal Technician - Reichmuth Lab

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 2/10/2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) is an organized research unit whose mission is to increase knowledge of the world's oceans and inhabitants to better understand their economic importance and the impact people have on them. Through this effort, IMS maintains the responsibility to encourage, develop, and support marine research and education and does this by providing research opportunities, resources, facilities, and support for scientists within the institute and with other marine research institutions.

The Pinniped Cognition and Sensory Systems Lab at Long Marine Laboratory is where we explore the inner worlds of amphibious marine mammals. Observations and experiments conducted with trained animals in our laboratory allow us to examine the perceptual and cognitive mechanisms that enable individuals to gather, organize, and use various types of information, and the physiological mechanisms that support behavioral plasticity. Observations made in the field allow us to see how perception and cognition are translated into decisions and actions. Comparative studies in both settings help us to understand how ecological, evolutionary, and life history factors have influenced different marine mammal species.

More information can be found at: https://ims.ucsc.edu/

JOB SUMMARY

Under supervision of the Principal Researcher, the Animal Technician will provide general assistance to the Reichmuth Lab including assistance with behavioral and physiological research paradigms, care and training of resident marine mammals, assistance with general laboratory operations and maintenance, data entry and analysis, and general administrative duties including mentoring of undergraduate volunteers in laboratory protocols. The candidate may participate in outreach and education activities.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $24.45/hourly.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Core benefits

Schedule Information:

• Part-time, Variable
• Percentage of Time: 50%, 20 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Monday to Sunday to ensure animal coverage. Schedule to be confirmed with supervisor
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Limited appointment

Job End Date: 5 months from date of hire with possibility of extension

Work Location: Long Marine Laboratory, Ocean Health Building

Union Representation: TX Union

Job Code Classification: 009525 (ANML TCHN)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

40% - Research Support

• Enter and analyze behavioral, physiological, and animal care data using Microsoft Excel, FileMaker Pro, GraphPad, Expedata, and spectrographic analysis software. Assist with setting up and running ongoing experiments in the laboratory.

35% - Animal Care

• Provide animal care support for resident marine mammals, including diet preparation, feeding and training of individual animals, record keeping, and operational activities including facilities cleaning and water quality analysis.

15% - Laboratory Duties

• Assist with general tasks in the lab, including cleaning, organizing, handling equipment and supplies, completing assigned tasks as needed.

10% - Education and Outreach

• Assist with the training of volunteers for participation in laboratory activities by demonstrating and reviewing standard operating protocols. Assist with field trips, demonstrations and education/outreach activities as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge/Experience such as attained through successful completion of upper division coursework leading to a Bachelor's degree in the natural or behavioral sciences or related field.
• Experience working directly with marine mammals.
• General computer skills including experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as experience with FileMaker Pro database software, ImageJ analysis, Expedata.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• Good organizational and time management skills sufficient to work accurately, with interruptions, to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to exercise flexibility, initiative, good judgment and discretion.
• Completion of in-house core training program.
• Ability to teach in-house laboratory protocols to lab staff.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience acquiring and processing physiological data.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Enrollment and completion of the UCSC OHSS and UCSC IACUC training is necessary within 2 weeks of hire.
• Ability to work long periods of time in wilderness conditions and to travel to remote areas.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.ative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.