Employer Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS) Job Description, Responsibilities and Required Qualifications or Skills The main objective of the position is to support diagnostic investigations of wildlife mortality at the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS). Causes of mortality may include viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections, toxicoses, traumatic injury, malnutrition, and others. The primary focus is to support the SCWDS Research and Diagnostic Service, which may also include surveillance efforts. The technician will be responsible for various stages of diagnostic case completion as well as aspects of surveillance and research projects. The technician is responsible for receiving and logging in carcass and tissue submissions, performing gross necropsy examinations, collection of tissue samples for ancillary diagnostic testing, ensuring sample submission and receipt of results, and performing additional diagnostic related tasks such as working with veterinary hospital staff to take radiographs and trimming formalin-fixed tissues for histopathology. The technician is responsible for shipping carcasses, coolers, and associated samples to outside laboratories. The technician is responsible for assisting with organization of stored/archived samples, disposal of carcasses and samples, ensuring cleaning and disinfection of the necropsy room, instruments and equipment, maintaining adequately stocked supplies for the necropsy and trimming rooms, and archiving specimens. The technician is responsible for diagnostic report preparation, maintaining records in an online medical system as well as in excel spreadsheets, including freezer inventories and research and surveillance activities.The technician may assist in training and overseeing activities of work study and volunteer students and in orientation of SCWDS externs and other visiting students. They may participate in the development of protocols for wildlife mortality investigations, including logistical arrangements for field studies, acquisition of biological specimens and ecological data, supportive lab work, and data entry and management. The technician will work closely with, and in support of, the Necropsy Lab Manager, Head Pathologist, and others. Usual work hours are 8:00am -5:00pm; however, shifting hours to evening and weekend work may occasionally be required to accommodate certain tasks. The technician may also assist in preparation of technical documents (e.g., quarterly and annual reports), newsletter articles, funding proposals, presentations, and manuscripts. Minimum Qualifications:Requires technical knowledge in the field acquired through an apprenticeship, a 2-year degree, or professional certificate. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.Preferred Qualifications:Completion of a BS or BA degree in wildlife science, biological or veterinary sciences, physiology, and animal or laboratory science, or related field is preferred; however equivalent training or experience will be consideredSkills:Previous experience with necropsy or abattoir work is preferred.Experience working as part of a veterinary health team, maintaining archives or records, and ability to identify wild animals from southeastern United States is preferred.Laboratory and field experience with techniques used in wildlife health surveillance is considered an asset, as is experience in data management.The technician should be able to lift objects up to 50 lbs, as well as go up & down stairs. (Building has no elevator.) Job Field: Wildlife Job Type: Full Time Location Detail: 589 D.W. Brooks Dr. Athens, GA 30602 Salary: Commensurate with experience/education Job Benefits: Benefits Eligible Link to Full Job Posting: https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/418127
