Vivarium Maintenance Technician

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

Once you join us you won’t want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:  

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees  
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year) 
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue! 
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service) 
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan! 

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as… 

• Free financial and legal counseling 
• Free mental health counseling services 
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs 
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc. 
• Resources for child and elder care 
• Plus many more! 

Position Summary:

Ensures that all Center for Laboratory Animal Medicine and Care (CLAMC) vivarium facilities are in good repair and equipment is adequately maintained and repaired in accordance with regulatory and accreditation agencies, including the USDA, NIH, and AAALAC. Facilitates the movement of staff, animals and equipment between locations as needed.

Position Key Accountabilities:

1. Assembles and performs minor repairs to transport carts, animal cages, ventilated rack systems, rack blowers, and automatic watering system. Troubleshoots and performs scheduled and non-scheduled minor and major repairs to tunnel and rack washer equipment. Maintains periodic maintenance file and equipment repair records.
2. Performs minor renovations such a sheet rock repair, installation of protective wall liners, and painting. Assembles and installs stationary and fixed housing units. Participates in preparation of vivarium for AWC, USDA, and AAALAC site visits.
3. Receives incoming consumable supplies and equipment. Provides transportation services between buildings on campus including animals, supplies, materials, and equipment as needed.
4. Performs preventative maintenance of vivarium specific equipment such as filter changes, replacement parts and accessory replacement. Performs vaporized hydrogen peroxide decontamination services for CLAMC equipment and vivaria and UTHealth laboratories.
5. Maintains departmental vehicles fleet; ensures routine maintenance and annual inspections are performed. Maintains required vehicle logs and other documentation. 
6. Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

Basic knowledge of plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems. 

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Minimum Experience:

Two (2) years of experience.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 50 pounds frequently and/or up to 20 pounds constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.