Job Description
Animal Caretaker - Research - Federal government of the United States - Aurora, CO - work from home job
Company: Federal government of the United States
Job description: Summary
Employee will be assigned to the Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU), Research Service, VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System, Aurora, CO, performing various duties relating to the maintenance, operation, and care of laboratory animals.
Overview
• Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
08/18/2026 to 08/24/2026
Salary
$21.77 - $25.38 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 5
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent -
Work schedule
Part-time - 20 Hours
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CARZ-1208XXXXXX-SCM
Control number
7425+1+00
This job is open to
Videos
Duties
NOTE: This is a part-time position (20 hours/week). Benefits and time-off accrual will be prorated and based on your part-time work schedule.
Duties include, but may not be limited to the following:
• Ensures the laboratory animals are provided with human treatment, proper nutrition, proper medical care, and a sanitary living environment; follows all research guidelines and standard operating procedures for laboratory animal research protocols; and adheres to agency, state, and federal regulations as well as accreditation standards for the care and use of laboratory animals in a research setting.
• Prepares and administers medications as directed by the supervisor, veterinarian, or principal investigator of the research study.
• Assists in handling research animals and collecting biological specimens for the determination of findings for research projects and/or health monitoring for the unit.
• Instructs and trains new animal care staff, researchers, and technicians in the proper handlining and care of research animals.
• Maintains the transgenic and knockout breeding colonies within the VMU.
• Euthanizes research animals following the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Euthanasia Guidelines.
• Feeds, waters, and provides a sanitary living environment for experimental laboratory animals (including mice, rats, and pigs).
• Prepares and administers appropriate diets for the animals, including experimental diets and administration of experimental compounds in water preparations.
• Maintains proper food and watering schedules for each protocol.
• Has responsibility for the proper washing, decontamination, sterilization, and subsequent preparation of the cages and pens housing research animals.
• Maintains proper environmental conditions as to cleanliness and air quality of the animal quarters.
• Performs preventive maintenance to individually ventilated caging (IVC) that house research animals, animal change stations, and dump stations.
• Performs other related duties as required.
Work Schedule: Position is part-time, 20 hours per week between the hours of 8:00am and 4:30pm. Days vary and will include weekends and holidays.
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1+5+
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Pre-employment physical required
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 201+ (COVID-1+) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: Work is performed with a variety of physical demands such as walking, standing, bending, reaching, and heavy lifting (up to and in excess of 75 pounds) which may be encountered in awkward positions. Must be able to control and restrain animals which may vary in type, size, and temperament as to control the possibility of injury to the animal, to another employee, or to oneself.
Works directly with small and large experimental research animals and may incur cuts, scrapes, scratches, and bites. Protective clothing is provided, and the employee is required to follow prescribed safety practices and use the safety equipment as provided.
Applicants will be rated in accordance with the . For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume.
You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:
• Dexterity and Safety
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
• Materials
• Measuring Instruments
• Technical Practices
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Without more than normal supervision
IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities (i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities), and/or disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. For more information on how to apply using this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator within the office, contact the facility Human Resources Department at (202) 020-2020.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at .
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 11+3.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be against COVID-1+ subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-1+ and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
• Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. .
Animal Caretaker - Research - Federal government of the United States - Aurora, CO - work from home job
Expected salary: $21.77 - 25.38 per hour
Location: Aurora, CO
Animal Caretaker - Research - Federal government of the United States - Aurora, CO - work from home job
Job date: Wed, 23 Aug 2026 06:50:54 GMT
Apply for the job now!
Animal Caretaker - Research - Federal government of the United States - Aurora, CO - work from home job
Company: Federal government of the United States
Job description: Summary
Employee will be assigned to the Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU), Research Service, VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System, Aurora, CO, performing various duties relating to the maintenance, operation, and care of laboratory animals.
Overview
• Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
08/18/2026 to 08/24/2026
Salary
$21.77 - $25.38 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 5
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent -
Work schedule
Part-time - 20 Hours
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CARZ-1208XXXXXX-SCM
Control number
7425+1+00
This job is open to
Videos
Duties
NOTE: This is a part-time position (20 hours/week). Benefits and time-off accrual will be prorated and based on your part-time work schedule.
Duties include, but may not be limited to the following:
• Ensures the laboratory animals are provided with human treatment, proper nutrition, proper medical care, and a sanitary living environment; follows all research guidelines and standard operating procedures for laboratory animal research protocols; and adheres to agency, state, and federal regulations as well as accreditation standards for the care and use of laboratory animals in a research setting.
• Prepares and administers medications as directed by the supervisor, veterinarian, or principal investigator of the research study.
• Assists in handling research animals and collecting biological specimens for the determination of findings for research projects and/or health monitoring for the unit.
• Instructs and trains new animal care staff, researchers, and technicians in the proper handlining and care of research animals.
• Maintains the transgenic and knockout breeding colonies within the VMU.
• Euthanizes research animals following the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Euthanasia Guidelines.
• Feeds, waters, and provides a sanitary living environment for experimental laboratory animals (including mice, rats, and pigs).
• Prepares and administers appropriate diets for the animals, including experimental diets and administration of experimental compounds in water preparations.
• Maintains proper food and watering schedules for each protocol.
• Has responsibility for the proper washing, decontamination, sterilization, and subsequent preparation of the cages and pens housing research animals.
• Maintains proper environmental conditions as to cleanliness and air quality of the animal quarters.
• Performs preventive maintenance to individually ventilated caging (IVC) that house research animals, animal change stations, and dump stations.
• Performs other related duties as required.
Work Schedule: Position is part-time, 20 hours per week between the hours of 8:00am and 4:30pm. Days vary and will include weekends and holidays.
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1+5+
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Pre-employment physical required
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 201+ (COVID-1+) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: Work is performed with a variety of physical demands such as walking, standing, bending, reaching, and heavy lifting (up to and in excess of 75 pounds) which may be encountered in awkward positions. Must be able to control and restrain animals which may vary in type, size, and temperament as to control the possibility of injury to the animal, to another employee, or to oneself.
Works directly with small and large experimental research animals and may incur cuts, scrapes, scratches, and bites. Protective clothing is provided, and the employee is required to follow prescribed safety practices and use the safety equipment as provided.
Applicants will be rated in accordance with the . For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume.
You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:
• Dexterity and Safety
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
• Materials
• Measuring Instruments
• Technical Practices
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Without more than normal supervision
IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities (i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities), and/or disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. For more information on how to apply using this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator within the office, contact the facility Human Resources Department at (202) 020-2020.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at .
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 11+3.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be against COVID-1+ subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-1+ and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
• Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. .
Animal Caretaker - Research - Federal government of the United States - Aurora, CO - work from home job
Expected salary: $21.77 - 25.38 per hour
Location: Aurora, CO
Animal Caretaker - Research - Federal government of the United States - Aurora, CO - work from home job
Job date: Wed, 23 Aug 2026 06:50:54 GMT
Apply for the job now!
Animal Caretaker - Research - Federal government of the United States - Aurora, CO - work from home job
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Animal Caretaker | Research in Aurora| CO position is now open for candidates interested in the Work from home Jobs sector. This role in Aurora offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Work from home Jobs is a plus.
