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Animal Attendant
The Veterinary Medicine & Surgery department exists to support MD Anderson research programs by providing high‑quality veterinary care, facilities, and services that comply with all applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, and AAALAC accreditation standards.
MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. The Animal Attendant works closely with facility operations to maintain clean, safe, and efficient areas that are critical to animal care and research. This role supports daily sanitization and equipment processes that uphold compliance and promote reliable research operations.
The ideal candidate will have prior experience working in a kennel or kitchen environment and is team oriented while maintaining a consistent, reliable work ethic.
Minimum $18.00 – Midpoint $20.54 – Maximum $23.08
Work Location: Texas Medical Center
The typical work schedule is Monday – Friday 6:30am - 3:00pm
Why Us?
The Animal Attendant plays a key role in supporting MD Anderson’s research mission by ensuring clean, compliant, and well‑maintained environments essential for high‑quality animal care. This position offers opportunities to develop specialized sanitation and facility operations skills within a structured, mission-driven setting that supports long‑term career growth and work-life balance.
• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.
Responsibilities
Equipment Cleaning & Sanitation
• Wash, sanitize, and sterilize equipment according to task guides
• Disassemble equipment before and reassemble after sanitation
• Perform quality assurance testing on cleaned equipment
• Flush automated water system manifolds using the rack manifold flush station
• Flush recoil hoses using the recoil hose flush station
• Collect soiled equipment and remove trash daily
• Ensure cage washing equipment is working properly and report alarms and malfunctions immediately
Documentation
• Record appropriate data in logbooks or electronic task management systems
Facility/Room Care and Housekeeping
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of cage wash and ancillary areas
• Ensure equipment is cleaned and made available for sanitization on schedule
• Clean filters and debris strainer trays daily
• Inspect and clean sprayer jets on tunnel and rack washers daily
• Perform weekly acid descale cycles
• Ensure supplies are adequately stocked
• Transport and pick up equipment at designated areas
• Report facility or supply issues to the team leader or supervisor
Other Duties
• Perform other duties as assigned
EDUCATION
Required: High School Diploma or Equivalent
WORK EXPERIENCE
Required: None
Preferred: Prior kennel or kitchen experience is a plus.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Preferred: Must meet department American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification requirements. Upon Hire
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
