Title: Technical and Training Support Specialist Location: Durham, NC Status: Full-Time Travel: Negligible

Position Summary: Midnight Sun is seeking a Technical and Training Support Specialist is in support of a contract providing mission-critical services to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in Durham, North Carolina. The Animal Husbandry Support Contract for NIEHS provides care, maintenance, and technical services for laboratory animals, seven days per week, including weekends and holidays, for 72,000+ square feet of laboratory animal facility space, which includes outside ancillary support areas, including a separate facility located approximately one mile from the main facility. Midnight Sun supports the care and maintenance of the animals, the sanitation of equipment, technical training, and the general maintenance of the facilities in such a manner to maintain the highest level of Accreditation from the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International (AAALAC). The Technical and Training Support Specialist is part of an essential team that provides care and maintenance for laboratory animals, which primarily consists of rats and mice, but may also include rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters, frogs, and fish. Husbandry Technicians are responsible for monitoring and caring for the health and well-being of all animals housed at NIEHS. The ideal candidate will have great communication skills and works well with a team, is adaptable, acts positive, professional, and helpful manner, and demonstrates a strong work ethic. The ideal candidate will have great communication skills and works well with a team, is adaptable, acts positive, professional, and helpful manner, and demonstrates a strong work ethic. This position reports directly to the contract Project Manager.

Duties/Responsibilities: Oversee husbandry, technical support, breeding support, and facility management of the CAF and C129. Train new employees on all SOPs, policies and procedures set forth in the contract. Provide facility orientation for new employees and manage training program for hands on training of new ASP (animal study proposal) participants and provide input on their competency. Additional training for lab personnel upon request. Coordinate, schedule and implement mandatory training for all employees in accordance with the contract. Overall responsibility for ensuring and documenting that all contract personnel complete required occupational health safety trainings, NIEHS mandated trainings (e.g. cybersecurity, harassment in the workplace, etc.) and that all contract personnel maintain job competence through ongoing SOP review. Initiate and update SOP's as requested by the Government. Provide technical backup at the direction of Project Manager/Assistant Project Manager including, but not limited to, module supervision, routine animal husbandry, identification, surgery, and sample collection. Provide study assistance to research personnel as requested on the Experimental Summary Sheet and directed by the facility manager. Maintain database for studies occurring in isolation cubicles. Maintain complete understanding of all chemicals used in animal studies, attend study meetings as scheduled concerning safety protocols, techniques, disposition of animals and chemical hazards. Maintain Safety Data Sheets. Organize and conduct classes for employees taking AALAS certification exams. Develop and maintain employee training manuals and records. Attend and participate in scheduled Animal Health and supervisor's meetings.

Minimum Requirements: Education and Experience High School diploma or equivalent required. At least 3 years of experience in an animal facility, required. At least one year supporting rodent breeding colonies, performing rodent technical procedures (e.g. injections, gavage, etc.), and providing and overseeing training and technical competence in other personnel preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Strong organizational skills and the ability to work well with subordinates and supervisors and to promote teamwork. Ability to multi-task and prioritize in order to provide coverage while meeting deadlines for contract deliverables. Knowledge of industry-specific regulations and equipment. Working knowledge of eSirius or a comparable electronic facility management system preferred. High proficiency in Microsoft Office Skills (Outlook, Word, Excel).

Certifications, Licenses, and Other Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) required Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) preferred. Valid Driver's License. Must be able to obtain/maintain site access.

Work Environment: Performance of the required job duties will be in large research facility where employees are subject to adverse variables of environmental conditions, both inside and outside. Work areas may often be hot, humid, and/or noisy due to operation of cage washing machines and autoclaves. Employees are potentially exposed to minor injuries such as cuts, bites, scrapes, pulled muscles, burns and unpleasant odors, and the possibility of exposure to hazardous materials including radioisotopes. Employees are exposed to animals and animal urine, feces, and dander that can act as allergens or as potential sources of zoonotic disease. Animal care personnel are required to wear a washable, cotton/polyester two-piece uniform of scrub pants and a long sleeve, snap-front shirt (a one-piece cotton coverall may be substituted), safety shoes, disposable shoe cover, head cover, surgical mask), and gloves when working in the animal rooms. Protective clothing is required to be worn by ALL personnel entering an animal room from the return corridors.

Physical Demands: The essential duties and nature of this position may require lifting, pushing, and pulling of carts and dollies, which may exceed 50 pounds. Essential duties of this position require continuous walking, standing, sitting, and considerable arm and hand movements and may include movement at or above the shoulders/head. Additional duties necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of this job: Ability to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear. Ability to climb stepladders, stairs, and walk on surfaces that may be uneven. Ability to frequently use hands to finger, handle, or feel. Ability to frequently climb, balance, stoop, kneel, squat, or reach.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Benefits: KIC offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible full-time employees including: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, 401k with Match, Life and ADD Coverage, Short and Long Term Disability, Paid Time Off and Holidays, Education Assistance/Tuition Reimbursement, Employee Assistance Program, Employee Discount Program, and more!

Apply online at our website: https://kikiktagruk.applicantpool.com/

Disclaimer: This is not to be an exclusive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the person in this job.  KIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Pursuant to The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 43 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 et seq., and federal contractual requirements, Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corporation, may legally grant certain preference in employment opportunities to KIC Shareholders, and their Descendants. Successful candidates must adhere to KIC's Drug and Alcohol policy/testing requirements and may be required to pass a background and/or Motor Vehicle Records check. The salary range for this position is based on several factors, including relevant experience, education, skills, and current market conditions.