We are launching people to the Moon and Mars.
If you want to be part of this amazing mission and enjoy working in a great team environment, we would love to have you as part of our team that is making history, today. It takes big ideas and determination to take NASA's vision and make it reality. That's what we do every day.
The Consolidated Operations, Management, Engineering and Test (COMET) contract provides overall management and implementation of ground systems capabilities, flight hardware processing, and launch operations at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. These tasks will support the International Space Station, Ground Systems Development and Operations, and the Space Launch System, Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, and Launch Services programs.
Work as an Animal Care Technician supporting the COMET contract on the Kennedy Space Center. The Animal Care team provides support to research science teams for pre-flight, during-flight and post-flight ground support capabilities and services.
Operates and maintains the KSC Animal Care Program in accordance with the requirements to maintain AAALAC International accreditation. Supports and maintains 100,000 class clean room barrier facility.
- Supports the preparation of animal husbandry equipment and supplies including sanitation and sterilization of all items. Processes bags and/or boxes or animal feed, bedding material, supplies, and equipment. Prepares and feeds regular and/or special diets and sterile deionized water. Includes quality control activities such as maintaining logs and providing samples of sterile feed and water.
- Assists in flight preparation including reviewing payload customer requirements, procuring standard supplies, and ordering specialty animal care equipment.
- Provides professional and technical guidance and support to payload customers. Maintains equipment certifications and calibration.
- Support customer access to the facility and assist in refining activities.
- Operates cage rack washer, bottle washer, sterilizer, and other facility related equipment. Performs routine maintenance of equipment as per manufacturer's recommendations.
- Prepare supplies and equipment required in support of research missions.
- Handles animals in conjunction with relocating, cage change, feeding, watering, identifying, performing health checks, data collection, SPF sample collection, blood draw, injections and/or administering of medications. Maintains daily health check log.
- Responsible for procurements of supplies and inventory for missions and facility maintenance.
- Perform quarterly air and surface sampling to ensure facility is properly sanitized.
- Assist in maintaining the DEA logbook and pharmaceutical inventories.
- Provide quarterly technical support to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
Access to Kennedy Space Center Amenities
While doing your part to help further space exploration at Kennedy Space Center, you can enjoy many on-site amenities, such as:
- Child Development Center
- Discounted tickets to local attractions and theme parks
- Credit Union
- Fitness Center
- Barbershop
- NASA Exchanges
Flexible Schedule and Telework
We value your time and commitment. Here at Kennedy Space Center, we offer partial telework options and flexible work schedules for many of our positions. The ability to utilize a flex schedule or telework will depend on your department's demands and needs.
Qualifications: High School Diploma or equivalent plus be a Registered Laboratory Animal Technician (RLAT) or Registered Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (RALAT); at least eight years related experience.
Requires a minimum of an associate degree in veterinary technology from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) approved school plus a minimum of two years of experience in a laboratory animal facility or additional experience with animals in a related capacity.
- Credentialed as a Veterinary Technician.
- American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification at the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) level is required at minimum. Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) preferred.
- Critical thinking is required to create innovative methods to meet the customer's needs. Must be able to remain flexible while maintaining the high standards of the facility and animal care is paramount.
- Must understand the moral and ethical aspects of the care and use of research animals.
- Supports the Lead Mission Support Animal Care Technologist in assessing the overall health of the colony and carrying out the treatment plan as directed by the Attending Veterinarian.
- Supports the Program Lead in maintaining the standards of the Animal Care Program.
Must be able to pass KSC Primary Animal Contact Direct (PAD) physical.
Must have an understanding of the moral and ethical aspects of the care and use of research animals.
Must be able to don cleanroom attire and wear for extended periods of time.
Physical requirements include climbing stairs or platforms to access equipment, may involve long periods of standing, lifting up to 50 lbs., pushing, pulling, squatting, bending, twisting, climbing, grasping, overhead reaching, wrist flexion/extension, and visual capability.
Will be required to wear hearing protection, eye protection, and other associated personal protective equipment.
Position is located near a hazardous testing facility; must be able to quickly evacuate buildings in the event of an emergency.
Walking on uneven terrain including paved areas, gravel/rocks, and dirt/sand is required.
Will be required to work in areas with temperature variations and warmer than usual environments.
Position requires exposure to animal odors and potential allergens.
Required to have general working knowledge of standard office equipment.
Must be dependable, punctual, and able to work off-nominal hours including weekends and holidays.
Must be able to accurately communicate ideas verbally and in writing.
Full-time regular work hours between Monday-Friday.
Position may require occasional overtime including weekend work depending on task.
Must be dependable and punctual.
Shift work may be required.
Essential Functions
Physical Requirements
Will be required to climb stairs.
Will be required to wear hearing protection, eye protection and other associated personal protective equipment.
Position may involve extended periods of sitting or standing.
Physical requirements are: sitting, walking, standing, extensive use of stairs, and access to remote structures.
Position is located on a hazardous testing facility; must be able to quickly evacuate buildings in the event of an emergency.
Work Environment
Will be required to work inside and outside throughout the test complex.
Position may require daily individual to travel to different areas on site.
Walking on uneven terrain including paved areas, gravel/rocks, and dirt/sand is required to access various locations on the facility.
Climbing ladders and platforms may be necessary.
All work must be completed in a safe manner in accordance with NASA and Company safety standards.
Equipment and Machines
Attendance
Position may require occasional overtime including weekend work depending on task.
Must be dependable and punctual.
Other Essential Functions
Must be able to accurately communicate ideas in writing and verbal communication.
Must be able to travel to support position requirements. This may include travel to and from customer location, which may involve airline travel. In some cases, accommodations can be made for POV, if necessary.
Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.
Must comply with all -drug free workplace- requirements as mandated by directives issued by the appropriate federal contracting officer and the company, which requires drug testing for use of illegal drugs by employees in sensitive positions.
Government security clearance may be required in the future.
Must maintain a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters good relations with customers, clients, co-workers, and management.
