Enrichment Specialist

Monday-Friday 8am- 5pm
Overtime, weekends, holidays, & on-call occasionally

To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet.

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The Division of Comparative Medicine ( DCM) is responsible for the care of all vertebrate animals on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ( UNC-CH) campus. DCM is committed to programs of excellence in veterinary care and laboratory animal management practices for all species used in UNC-CH research endeavors.

A staff of more than 170 professional, technical, and administrative personnel provides quality animal care to a daily population of over 200,000 animals located in 26 animal facilities on and off the UNC campus. Federal funding and foundations sponsor over $1 billion in research on the UNC campus conducted by the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Public Health, Pharmacy, as well as the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology.

A major responsibility of the Division's veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and laboratory technicians is the health care and humane use of all animals. The Division's program is reviewed semi-annually by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and has been accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International ( AAALAC) since 1973. DCM and the University also meet U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA) and Public Health Service standards and regulations. As laboratory animal specialists they provide a comprehensive program of veterinary care, offer technical advice and assistance, and provide needed laboratory and research core services for teaching and research purposes.

This position is being created as a result of growing research needs and the required enrichment activities involved in sustaining a large colony. This colony requires special care and attention, and a dedicated individual to perform colony maintenance related duties. In addition, the animal enrichment program has grown to the point where an enrichment technician position is warranted.

Under the direction of the Manager/Supervisor, this position performs research support, animal husbandry duties, and provides environmental enrichment to a wide variety of research animals. Husbandry duties include room checks, cage changing, animal equipment maintenance, and documentation of all tasks performed. Research Support duties may include administering routine animal treatments as directed by Vets/vet care staff, administering special feed and water, dosing, SQ, IV, etc. This position is also responsible for triaging animal care issues.

This position will also function as a team member of professionals and utilize available resources to provide environmental enrichment to a wide variety of research animals. This position will have to work independently, demonstrate excellent communication skills, and have a proven ability to foster positive relationships with co-workers and researchers. This position will need to communicate with all levels of staff effectively. The position will need to understand species-specific behavior as it relates to overall health of the animals and work with research and veterinary staff to address behavioral issues. The position will implement enrichment activities and conduct positive reinforcement training, social housing, and behavioral assessment of animals. This position will require a research skill set or background. This position will maintain records and provide written and verbal reports as required. The person in this position will also maintain inventory and construction of enrichment devices. They will be responsible for assisting in performing literature searches and keeping up with changes or trends in the animal enrichment field.

Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

- AALAS Certification at the ALAT level within one year of the role
- Excellent attention to detail and strong work ethic
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with all levels of staff
- Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Demonstrated ability to foster positive relationships with co-workers and researchers
- Microsoft Office and data entry

- AALAS certification at higher levels
- Experience handling, restraining, dosing, and performing health assessments of rabbits/swine and other USDA species

- AALAS Certification at the ALAT level within one year of the role.

- Ability to move/lift/restrain 50 pounds with or without accommodation
- Requires prolonged and/or repetitive reaching, bending, and twisting

Not Applicable.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu

Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.