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PRIMATE SPECIALIST

Job Title: PRIMATE SPECIALIST
Job Code: 0546
FLSA: N
Job Level: 09
Revised Date: 08/01/2022
Job Family: JF 05

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Occupational Summary

Perform a variety of technical tasks related to the care, management and research of rare primates at the Duke Lemur Center. Provide relief for the Senior Primate Technician on a regular basis and for the Veterinary Technician as needed. This is an advanced technician position which requires experience as a Primate Technician I at the Duke Lemur Center.

Work Performed

Perform routine and standardized technical tasks to provide for the daily feeding, cleaning and health care of primates including the recording of data such as body weight, medication given, food consumption, behavior, training sessions and enrichment. Maintain cleanliness and condition of animal enclosures, and sufficient stock and supplies for the proper performance of duties. Perform a variety of tasks that provide assistance as needed with the coordination and execution of DLC non-invasive research projects including, but not limited to, capture and restraint, weighing primates, obtaining specimens and observing behavioral patterns. Assist in routine and emergency medical treatment for primates such as surgery, physical exams, administration of fluids, medicines and contraceptives, fecal collection, palpations, sexing and weighing of infants, and monitoring of reproductive cycles.

Serve in capacity of Senior Primate Technician on regularly scheduled relief basis to include supervising the technician staff and the daily operations of the animal colony, supervising volunteer work assignments, operating gate radio, assisting researchers with special needs, verifying administration of medical treatments, determining if animals need attention of veterinarian, verifying completion of required forms and records, ensuring animals have been fed, watered and are accounted for, securing the building and animal areas at end of day, and as needed, carrying out animal escape procedures and responding to equipment failures.

Serve as part of a supervisory team to assure coordination of daily and weekly tasks and to facilitate communication between all Duke Lemur Center staff. Assist with training of new technicians.

Provide relief for Veterinary Technician on as-needed basis to include providing technical support to veterinarian, serving as liaison to veterinarian in providing health care to animals, assisting in or providing routine and emergency medical treatment and/or surgery, assisting in administering anesthesia to animals and serving as circulating nurse during procedures, administering routine post- operative and daily treatments to animals as instructed, prescribed and/or required, and serving as liaison with the other veterinarians in absence of Lemur Center veterinarian.

Report and record signs of diseases and/or behavioral concerns through observation of physical condition and behavior. Report changes in environmental conditions which affect the well-being of the primates.

Formulate and administer special diets to ensure adequate vitamins and trace mineral elements; feed and water primates according to schedule.

Maintain cleanliness of animal quarters and assigned areas. Transport animals, supplies and materials; operate motor vehicle as required.

Design and construct cages based on species-specific behavior, locomotor patterns and social groupings; perform minor repairs on cages and equipment.

Conduct regular animal training sessions and provide enrichment in accordance with the guidelines and expectations of the Duke Lemur Center animal training and enrichment program. Document training and enrichment activities.

Communicate in a professional manner with a variety of personalities to promote an open exchange of information and ideas, as well as team work. Provide constructive feedback to new co-workers throughout their training.

This position is required to work weekends and holidays and outdoors year-round.

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training

Work requires a general education background normally obtained through a bachelor's degree.

Experience

This is an advanced technician position which requires a min of 2 years experience caring for primates with at least 1 year of experience as a Primate Technician at the Duke University Lemur Center. A Working knowledge of the facility, including all buildings and enclosures and experience with the husbandry procedures including Vet care and research projects.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Skills

N/A


The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.


Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.


Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.