Animal Transportation Technician

Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Hourly - Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Title

Animal Transportation Technician

Department

Research Support | Centre for Comparative Medicine | Animal Care Services

Compensation Range

$29.27 - $31.92 CAD Hourly

Posting End Date

April 22, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

Full-time during training (6-8 weeks). Casual, on-call ongoing based on seniority, operational needs and availability of employee. Employee must provide a minimum of 1 shift per week availability. Shifts are not guaranteed.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary
This position is responsible for driving the Animal Care Services (ACS) vehicles to receive and deliver research animals, associated equipment, materials, and supplies for the UBC Animal Care & Use Program (ACUP), which encompasses all UBC & affiliated teaching hospital research facilities. The position requires specialized knowledge on the care and transport of live animals. When not engaged in driving duties, performs facility maintenance and general housekeeping duties.

Organizational Status

Works under the direction of the CCM Operations Manager and ACS Procurement Manager. Works closely with the ACS Business Team and ACS staff. Liaises with investigators and research teams at UBC and affiliated institutions. Contacts and works with external agencies such as specialty logistics providers and customs brokers.

ACS, the largest animal care program in Western Canada and the second largest in Canada, is responsible for providing research support to the animal-based research community associated with the University of British Columbia and its affiliates through its veterinary services team, the compliance team, the procurement team and its facilities. ACS is committed to providing excellence in research support to all UBC researchers with accountability, communication, cooperation, customer service and integrity. ACS reports to the Associate Vice President Research & Innovation.

Work Performed

1. Provides transport and delivery services of various laboratory animal species, equipment, supplies, and materials by:

- Operating transportation vehicles (van and/or truck) having automatic transmissions and step-up storage rear end.
- Transporting, delivering, and picking up laboratory research animals from the loading docks of both on and off-campus research facilities using established department safety routines, policies, and procedures. This can include restraining and handling various laboratory animal species ranging from 20g to 50kg.
- Transporting, delivering, and picking up research animals from destinations including but not limited to the Vancouver International Airport and regional specialty logistics providers.
- Monitoring, observing, and reporting health status of transported animals to ACS clinical veterinarians, researchers, and the appropriate supervisor.
- Transporting, delivering, and picking up equipment, supplies, food, bedding, and materials for biomedical research from research facilities and vendors in Metro Vancouver. This can include feed and bedding bags and animal cages.
- Communicating with customs brokers, airport personnel and courier staff in a professional manner.
- Contacting and liaising with relevant external and internal individuals of facilities and organizations in an effective, respectful manner, and provide feedback to the ACS Procurement Manager.
- Performing all routine fueling and maintenance procedures. Scheduling all non-routine repairs and maintenance.
- Reporting vehicle defects and unusual performance to Supervisor for timely repairs to be made.
- Interacting with the public which may include animal advocacy organizations and tactfully handling confrontational situations.

2. Contributes to a clean, safe, and productive work environment by:

- Cleaning and disinfecting transportation vehicles to maintain sanitary conditions. This includes mixing chemical cleansing agents and solutions (e.g. Virox) to sanitize and disinfect interior storage area of vehicle.
- Utilizing transportation equipment such as hand trucks and to handle very heavy animal species, equipment, and supplies.
- Liaising with vehicle maintenance mechanics to solve vehicle issues.
- Maintaining and securing accurate documentation of goods received or shipped.
- Delivering administrative documents to various facilities on and off-campus.
- Picking up and paying for external supplies using UBC Purchase Card and forwarding receipts to ACS Finance team.
- Performing facility maintenance, general hous