Cage Wash Lead

Title: Cage Wash Lead
Job code: 8421OS
Employee Group: Civil Service
Full/Part Time (FTE): 100% FTE
Regular/Temporary: Regular

Job Summary:
As a Cage Wash Lead, you ensure a seamless flow of sanitized equipment critical to biomedical research. Balancing logistics, technical troubleshooting, and daily leadership, you maintain equipment inventory based on cage census and eliminate operational bottlenecks. You serve as a key expert on cage wash facilities and equipment operations, connecting animal care staff, management, and maintenance teams. You assist staff through onboarding and training, and perform daily cage wash duties during staff shortages or high-demand periods.

Location and Work environment:
In-person at multiple facilities on the Twin Cities campus.
This position is defined as an essential role under the University's State of Emergency policy, and plays a key role in ensuring the health and welfare of RAR's research animals. During emergencies or other situations that impact normal operations, this position may be required to perform additional duties as assigned to support the team and ensure animal care is not compromised. These duties may include, but are not limited to, animal husbandry, sanitation, feeding, health monitoring, and will be determined at the discretion of the direct supervisor and/or RAR senior leadership based on operational needs. Training will be provided as needed. Unscheduled, mandatory overtime may be assigned by the direct supervisor/leadership as needed to ensure animal health and welfare.

Physical and Environmental Requirements:
* There will be exposure to animal allergens
* Current Tetanus vaccination is required (may be obtained during first week of employment)
* An annual test for Tuberculosis will be completed for working with certain species
* Due to the high level of noise, a hearing test is performed annually when assigned to a hearing conservation area
* Rabies Vaccines or titer will be completed when working with certain species or the employee may complete a declination form.
* An annual Flu vaccine is a requirement to work with some animal species
* Measles titer may be drawn
* The employee may work in wet rooms or around large industrial cage washers
* Employee may work in an outside environment in any weather conditions
* Employee may be required to wear a powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) or N95 mask

Work Schedule:
Monday through Friday 6:00 am-2:30 pm and may require occasional evening, weekend, holiday, or on-call hours to meet operational needs.

Primary Responsibilities:

30% Cage Wash Daily Operations
* Complete safety checks, temperature/steam monitoring, preventative maintenance tasks, and minor troubleshooting of machines.
* Promptly escalate unresolved mechanical failures or significant safety hazards to the Supervisor/Manager.
* Perform daily cage wash duties, including but not limited to dumping cages, operating tunnel and rack washers, emptying and filling water bottles, facility sanitation, equipment sanitation, autoclaving, and using microisolator technique.
* Service procedure rooms, including replacing compressed gases.
* Maneuver chemical drums up to 55 gallons using a mechanical lift/dolly.
* Identify and remove broken or improperly sanitized supplies/equipment.
* Maintain accurate records in accordance with departmental documentation standards.
* Ensure continuous audit-readiness for AAALAC and IACUC inspections by verifying label accuracy, monitoring expiration dates, and auditing logbook completion.
* Perform delegated duties during peer absences to ensure operational continuity.

30% Training & Leadership
* Act as the primary hands-on trainer for cage wash operations, including sanitation processes, cage wash equipment, and safety, as well as autoclave processes and microisolator technique.
* Assist with onboarding and ongoing assessments of the cage wash personnel.
* Partner with leadership and the Training Team to implement educational initiatives, providing direct mentorship to staff to ensure SOP compliance.
* Assist in auditing SOPs for technical accuracy and operational alignment.
* Provide essential onsite guidance for the cage wash team and facilitate communication with supervisors.
* Coordinate production workflows and communicate resource needs to leadership; conduct regular facility rounds to verify that caging orders/needs remain on schedule.
* Serve as a technical mentor and resource for peer professional development.
* Engage in specialized projects to optimize workflow efficiency and upgrade vivarium infrastructure.
* Participate in the interview process for cage wash personnel.

20% Facility & Administrative Support
* Conduct routine facility walkthroughs to confirm that all check sheets and logbooks are accurately maintained.
* Meet with UMN Facilities Management, RAR facilities staff, and outside technicians regarding equipment issues and preventative maintenance.
* Act as the primary point of contact for Animal Care Leads regarding daily census fluctuations and cage changing schedules; proactively adjust cage wash output to match the expanding or contracting needs of the animal rooms.
* Identify operational issues or communication gaps that arise between the Animal Care and Cage Wash teams to ensure a unified workflow.
* Provide support for departmental administrative planning and the coordination of emergency response protocols.
* Complete inventory for feed, bedding, PPE, chemicals, and various sanitation consumables.
* Prepare and submit supply requests once authorized by the Supervisor.
* Coordinate the distribution of feed, bedding, and materials to various vivarium sites as required.
* Assist with the movement of equipment and bulk supplies between the offsite warehouse, the loading dock, and the facilities.
* Monitor fluctuations in equipment demand to adjust inventory levels and manage the removal of surplus caging supplies.

15% Safety and Compliance
* Ensure compliance with university safety policies, AAALAC standards, and applicable federal and state regulations (USDA, OLAW, PHS).
* Maintain accurate logs for sanitation cycles, autoclave validation, and safety inspections.
* Conduct and document safety training sessions and ensure proper use of PPE.
* Participate in facility inspections, AAALAC site visits, and internal audits.
* Attend meetings, safety training, and continuing education seminars.
* Partner with the RAR QA Coordinator to perform and document testing (e.g., biological indicators, thermal strips) to ensure that sanitation and sterilization standards are consistently achieved.
* Maintain individual professional competency by completing mandatory training and staying informed on procedural changes.

5% Professional Development and Other Duties
* Participate in team and/or project meetings to discuss facility status, updates, and process improvements.
* Attend conferences, webinars, and/or online continuing education classes.
* Assist other members of the infrastructure team during absences or projects.
* Serve as the Cage Wash Supervisor's designee when requested.
* Serve as a back-up cargo van driver for animal and supply transport.

Required Qualifications:
* BA/BS degree or a documented four-year combination of related education and professional practice.
* High degree of personal reliability, consistent punctuality, and a strong attendance record.
* Ability to work 100% onsite to support daily hands-on facility operations.
* Hold a valid driver's license and maintain eligibility under the University's background standards for motor vehicle operation. Safely operate a cargo van.

Preferred Qualifications:
* At least one year of experience in cage wash operations, ABSL2 waste management, microisolator technique, autoclave operation, and recordkeeping.
* Experience working in the University of Minnesota's RAR cage wash facilities.
* AALAS certification(s).
* Experience in a lead, training, or supervisory role.
* Practical knowledge of animal welfare guidelines and AAALAC International standards (PHS, OLAW, USDA).
* Background in Lean or Continuous Improvement methodologies within an operational setting.
* Experience in logistics, industrial sanitation (hospital, laboratory, or animal facility), commercial inventory, or manufacturing production lines.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
* Must be able to understand and follow written and oral instructions in English.
* Must be able to read and write in English with the ability to communicate electronically via email.
* Must be comfortable operating iPads and computers.
* Must possess basic skills in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Calendar, Chat) or Microsoft Office (Word, Excel).
* Must have the ability to understand the flow between Animal Care and Cage Wash and predict needs before they become emergencies.
* Must be able to professionally and effectively collaborate with research personnel, vendors, other university departments, and all internal RAR teams.
* Must be able to navigate working in multiple vivarium locations while balancing various high-priority assignments.
* Must be capable of lifting 50 pounds, pushing equipment, pulling equipment, and standing and/or walking for the duration of the shift.
* Must be able to work in odorous, warm, humid, noisy conditions while wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) including a PAPR (powered air-purifying respirator).
* Must be able to move heavy objects using dollies and powered pallet jacks.
* Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.

Research Animal Resources (RAR) provides the University of Minnesota research community with animal care, procurement services, veterinary knowledge, and maintenance of housing facilities for animal-related research activities. The position of Cage Wash Lead I is part of a staff of over 150 employees including Professional and Administrative staff, Civil Service staff, and Union-represented members. RAR has a daily census of 24,000 rodent cages in 19 buildings split into 7 geographic teams around the Twin Cities Campus.

Pay Range: $23.55/hr-$26.44/hr; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Time Appointment

Work Profile: This position has been designated as Profile 1- Office/Lab Based: Time spent working remotely is occasional or inconsistent. Dedicated on campus work space to be provided.

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment. This position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. Applicants must submit a resume to be considered.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.