Job Description

Attendant

(JD: JD0074)

Schedule:  Monday to Friday, 8:00 – 4:00

Salary Range: $19.32 – $27.22

Hours per Week: 37.5

Employee Group: Unifor Unit 1

At McMaster University, our people are our most valuable asset. We strive to attract, develop, and retain talented faculty and staff, and to foster inclusive excellence which values the strengths, perspectives, and contributions of each individual.  McMaster’s profile and stature have evolved to one of the Top 70 Universities in the World and recognition as Canada’s Most Research Intense University.  McMaster is recognized as one of the top employers in the Hamilton/Niagara region and has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top Diversity employers.

Located within the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Animal Facility is currently welcoming applications for a full-time, continuing Attendant to join our team!  The Animal Facility (AF) is a primary service division whose purpose is to serve the McMaster research community and ensure animals housed at our seven sites are cared for ethically and humanely.  This is an excellent opportunity for an organized, motivated, and detail-oriented individual to join us in an essential support role for the Faculty and research at McMaster University.

Job Summary:

The Attendant is responsible for cleaning, sanitizing, and sterilizing laboratory equipment and facilities in accordance with regulatory guidelines and standard operating procedures.

Key Functions:

• Decontaminate and clean biohazardous equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures.
• Maintain, clean, and decontaminate all physical surfaces including walls, floors, and counter tops.
• Operate large industrial cleaning equipment including rack washers, bottle washers and autoclaves.
• Transport sterilized and contaminated equipment and supplies to and from central and satellite facilities.
• Clean and maintain the storage facilities for equipment and supplies.
• Document chemical levels, supply inventories, and feed equipment inventories as required by regulatory bodies.
• Dispose of waste material following Ministry of the Environment regulations.
• Monitor and document including but not limited to room temperatures, humidity levels, air flow, light timer schedules, microbiological sampling, and quality control of equipment required by the department and regulatory agencies under the supervision of senior staff.
• Assist Health Technicians during peak periods by cleaning cages, and providing feed and water to animals.
• Modify existing and document new standard operating procedures.
• Calculate weight of biomedical waste shipments.
• Locate and resolve routine mechanical problems with equipment. Report more complex problems to the appropriate contact.
• Package, label, and seal biomedical waste boxes for transportation.
• Assemble crates and cages.
• Sort equipment for processing.
• Transport carts loaded with equipment.
• Lift and carry equipment and supplies.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings.

Additional Information:

The AF is open year-round including holidays. The successful candidate will be required to work a number of holidays throughout the year to ensure necessary supports are in place.

Working at McMaster University brings a robust total rewards package, which is more than just a salary. The elements and structure of the total rewards packages vary by employee group but include:

• Employer paid benefits including Extended Health, Dental, Emergency Out-of-Country Travel Coverage, and Life Insurance;
• Pension Plan;
• Training, coaching and professional development opportunities;
• Employee tuition assistance for development and education;
• Opportunity to be a part of an academic environment working alongside professionals who share a passion for learning and research;
• Progressive paid annual vacation plan

Please see the Total Rewards Overview  for more information.