No Relocation Assistance Offered
Job Number #171841 - Topeka, Kansas, United States

Who We Are

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.

Cleaning & Sanitation

Cleans and disinfects the facility's housing units, enrichment areas, toys, pet bedding, feeding areas, equipment, and maintains litter boxes, to include tasks such as:

- - Daily power washing and weekly sanitization (including breaking down and resetting) of interior rooms and outdoor spaces for 2-4 hours each day
  - Scooping feces from indoor/outdoor spaces throughout the day
  - Cleaning all cat areas with disinfectant and scooping litter boxes daily
  - Washing interior and exterior windows as scheduled.
- Maintains accurate and current sanitation schedule and records

Animal Care, Health,& Enrichment

Engage in positive, daily interactions with pets, including exercise, playtime, training, bathing, and grooming.

Perform monthly grooming and bathing for canines and felines, which includes lifting dogs up to 50 lbs, brushing coats, trimming nails, expressing anal glands, cleaning ears, and providing blow drying as needed.

Perform routine procedures including teeth brushing, as well as monitoring temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and similar health assessments.

Learn, understand, and adhere to Hill's Global Animal Care and Use Policy and Animal Colony Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Health

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.

Assist veterinarians with exams and provide care for animals with special health needs.

Behavior & Enrichment

Implement assigned behavior plans and apply animal behavioral principles to promote healthy habits, improve behavior, and support socialization.

Facilitate positive social interactions among animals and supervise group play or introductions.

Train animals using positive reinforcement techniques to encourage desired behaviors and reduce stress.

Record observations of behavior changes and report concerns.

Engage animals in customized enrichment activities designed to stimulate their physical and mental well-being.

Collaborate with team members to develop new enrichment ideas and improve existing programs.

Feeding & Nutrition

Prepare meals customized to each animal’s needs and research protocols, ensuring food bowls are accurately filled by following labels and feed sheets.

Accurately place food bowls to assigned feeding locations

Accurately monitor and record animal food and water intake, making adjustments as necessary, and documenting food returns in the animal management system database.

Reporting any changes in food intake to veterinarians and following modification plans.

Washing, organizing, and storing food and watering bowls.

Sample & Data Collection

Learn, understand, and adhere to Animal Colony SOPs and procedures to maintain data quality and integrity

Maintains knowledge of ongoing feeding studies

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 such as:
- Perform weekly body weights for test animals
- Collect and process feces within required time limit
- Collect and/or assist with blood and urine samples

Equipment Operation

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.

Basic qualifications include:

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).

Preferred qualifications include:

Bachelor's degree in animal or biological sciences

Credentialed Licensed Veterinary Technician Certification (LVT);

Veterinary Hospital experience; Prior clinical/research experience.

Expected Areas of Skills

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.

Physical Requirements

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.

Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range $ - $ USD

Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing, and long-term incentives for Executive-level roles.

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.

Our Commitment to Inclusion
Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.

For additional Colgate terms and conditions, please click here.

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Animal Care & Research Technician (Topeka, KS, US)