Animal Care & Research Technician

Colgate • Topeka, KS

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name! Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all. ACRTs are essential to the development of new and existing products at the Hill's Pet Nutrition Science & Technology Center. Their responsibilities include providing exceptional care for our pet partners through animal care and enrichment, hygiene and sanitation, feeding and nutrition, data and sample collection, and equipment operation. The work performed by ACRTs significantly contributes to vital research, enhancing the lives of pets in our care and ultimately improving the lives of pets globally.

Requirements

• Minimum High School Diploma or equivalent
• Minimum 1 year of experience in licensed animal facility
• Ability to work a flexible schedule supporting a 365 day operation, including weekends and holidays (mandatory rotation).
• Animal care knowledge, with the ability and motivation to learn animal health, behavior, and research protocols
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Effective multitasking and adaptability in a dynamic environment
• Proactive in addressing issues and communicating effectively
• Team-oriented, with a collaborative approach to supporting colleagues
• Willingness to speak up and consistently follow SOPs and established processes
• Experience with Google based applications such as Sheets, Docs, Drive.
• High level of reliability and punctuality
• Must be able to work variable work schedules including weekends and holidays.
• Must be able to work with cats and dogs.
• Must be able to successfully meet minimum requirements of the PNC Animal Colony Functional Capacity Evaluation.
• Must be able to stand, bend, stoop, pull, push, and lift up to 50 lbs repetitively on a daily basis. This includes the physical dexterity to lift and transfer pet partners into and out of housing units, bathing tubs, and examination areas.
• Ability to perform repetitive physical motions for extended periods, including scooping litter/waste, placing bowls and filling feeders, and operating heavy-duty equipment such as high-pressure power washers.
• Must be able to tolerate working conditions including loud noise (barking), heat, cold, humidity, and animal odors for extended periods
• Ability to work safely with approved industrial chemicals, detergents, and sanitizers required for maintaining colony hygiene.
• Must be able to hear (naturally or with assistance) animal vocalizations to monitor health and behavior.
• Must be able to see (naturally or with correction) to interpret visual signals from computer screens, keyboards, and other electronic data devices.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in animal or biological sciences
• Credentialed Licensed Veterinary Technician Certification (LVT); Veterinary Hospital experience; Prior clinical/research experience.

Responsibilities

• Cleans and disinfects the facility's housing units, enrichment areas, toys, pet bedding, feeding areas, equipment, and maintains litter boxes
• Engage in positive, daily interactions with pets, including exercise, playtime, training, bathing, and grooming.
• Perform routine procedures including teeth brushing, as well as monitoring temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and similar health assessments.
• Observe and document animal behavior, activity levels, and any signs of illness or discomfort.
• Support preventative health care, including administering medications, vaccines, and treatments as prescribed by a veterinarian.
• Collect and prepare samples (such as feces, urine, or blood) for diagnostic testing as requested by the veterinarian.
• Implement assigned behavior plans and apply animal behavioral principles to promote healthy habits, improve behavior, and support socialization.
• Train animals using positive reinforcement techniques to encourage desired behaviors and reduce stress.
• Engage animals in customized enrichment activities designed to stimulate their physical and mental well-being.
• Prepare meals customized to each animal’s needs and research protocols, ensuring food bowls are accurately filled by following labels and feed sheets.
• Accurately monitor and record animal food and water intake, making adjustments as necessary, and documenting food returns in the animal management system database.
• Accurately record and manage data in the animal management systems, and promptly communicate any observations or concerns.
• Prepare for and collect samples as outlined in research protocols
• Understand and operate equipment such as feed stations, food scales, body weight scales, handheld data terminals etc.
• Perform routine maintenance and/or quality checks on equipment
• Identify equipment issues, perform troubleshooting, and escalate problems when necessary.

Benefits

• Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements.
• Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year).
• Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED