Job Title:  Animal Care and Research Technician

No Relocation Assistance Offered
# 157623 - Topeka, Kansas, United States

Who We Are
Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition, we sell our products in more than 200 countries and territories under brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso, Tom’s of Maine, EltaMD, Filorga, Irish Spring, PCA SKIN, Protex, Sanex, Softsoap, Speed Stick, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

We are recognized for our leadership and innovation in promoting sustainability and community wellbeing, including our achievements in decreasing plastic waste and promoting recyclability, saving water, conserving natural resources and improving children’s oral health.

If you want to work for a company that lives by their values, then give your career a reason to smile and join our global team!
 

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of people and their pets? What about having the opportunity to connect with others across the world, full of stimulating discussions, and making impactful contributions? If this is how you see your career, Hill’s is the place to be!

What we offer:  

• $40,000 - $46,000 USD  annual salary (based on experience)

• Merit increase every year based on performance

• Advancement Opportunities 

• Great Culture & work environment

• Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage for employee & eligible dependents - Start on Day 1

• Basic Life Insurance for you and eligible dependents

• 3 weeks Paid Vacation 

• Paid Parental Leave

• Paid Holidays

• Saving & Investment Plan with Company Match

• Tuition Assistance - up to $10,000 per year

• Employee Assistance Program

• Access to discounted Company products

• Uniforms and shoe allowance (annually)

• Non-smoking facility

The Animal Care and Research Technician (ACRT) will provide high quality care for our pet partners. Individuals in this position support new and existing product-development activities through animal care, hygiene and sanitation, food service, data collection, and equipment operation.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Animal Health and Hygiene

-Ensures animal health and hygiene through exercise, training, bathing, grooming, and enrichment activities

-Trims nails, expresses anal glands, and perform other routine procedures

-Administers medications, vaccines, and treatments prescribed by a veterinarian

-Applies behavioral principles as part of a learning or treatment process to modify and improve animal behavior

-Learns, understands and adheres to Hill's Global Animal Care and Use policy & Hill's Animal Colony Standard Operating Procedures

• Cleaning and Sanitation

-Cleans and disinfects canine and feline single and group housing units, enrichment areas and other areas of the facility, toys, pet bedding, and feeding areas and equipment

-Cleans and maintains litter boxes for distribution

-Launders and maintains pet bedding, towels, and other items for as needed

-Maintains accurate and current sanitation schedule and records

• Food Service

-Accurately fills pet feeding containers as directed by daily test schedule

-Coordinates with other team members to deliver and pickup food containers

-Accurately weighs food returns and records data in the animal management system database

-Washes, organizes, and stores food containers and watering bowls

• Data Collection

-Collects blood, urine, and stool for testing

-Records body weights, temperature, body condition scores, blood pressure measurements, heart rates, etc.

-Assists with dental prophy, ultrasound, acupuncture, and DEXA procedures

-Maintains knowledge of ongoing feeding studies and communicates observations/issues

• Equipment Operation

Operates, calibrates and checks food and body weight scales

Operates hand-held data terminals and computers (e.g., Word, Excel, Lotus Notes) and other applications

Troubleshoots mechanical issues with computer systems, feeders, or equipment

Requirements: 

• Graduation or GED from accredited High School and 1+ year of experience in a licensed animal
• A  Bachelor's. degree in animal or biological sciences may substitute for the 1+ year of experience requirement          

Preferred Qualifications include:

•  Credentialed Licensed Veterinary Technician Certification;
• Veterinary Hospital experience; Prior clinical/research experience.

Expected areas of skills: 

• Experience with Google based applications such as Sheets, Docs, Drive.

• Must be able to:

  • Come to work as needed, to arrive on time, and to work overtime.

  • Work variable work schedules including weekends and holidays.

  • Tolerate working conditions that do not exceed safe limits such as heat, cold, humidity, noise, drafts, dust, odors, elevations, and enclosed spaces for extended period of time each day.

  • Work with approved industrial chemicals.

  • Work with species of animals including, but not limited to, cats and dogs.

  • Successfully meet minimum requirements of the PNC Animal Colony Functional Capacity Evaluation.

  • Stand, bend, pull, push, and lift up to 50# repetitively on a daily basis.

  • Hear (either naturally or with assistance) any animal vocalizations. 

  • See (either naturally or with corrective lenses) and interpret visual signals from a computer screen and keyboard, or other electronic devices.

Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range $ - $ USD

Pay is based on multiple non-discriminatory, individualized factors including but not limited to experience, job-related knowledge and education, skills and office/market location. In addition to base salary, salaried employees are eligible for annual discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing and, for Executive-level (salary grade 16 and above) roles only, long-term incentives in the form of Restricted Stock Units and/or Stock Options.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable benefits plans then in effect, all salaried employees are also eligible for a competitive benefits package which includes:

• Insurance: Employees (and their eligible dependents) are eligible to participate in Company-sponsored Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Disability insurance plans.
• Retirement Plans: Employees are eligible to enroll in Colgate's 401(k) plan, which provides for company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements
• Vacation/PTO: Employees receive a minimum of 15 days of vacation/PTO leave annually
• Paid Holidays: Employees receive a minimum of 13 paid/floating holidays annually
• Paid Sick Leave: Based on location and consistent with applicable state and local law, employees receive a minimum of 40 hours of paid sick leave on January 1st of each year
• Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees may take up to eight weeks of paid parental leave and 12 weeks of unpaid leave (varies for employees with fewer than 12 months of service and is subject to hours worked requirements)

Our Commitment to Sustainability
With the Colgate brand in more homes than any other, we are presented with great opportunities and new challenges as we work to integrate sustainability into all aspects of our business and create positive social impact. We are determined to position ourselves for further growth as we act on our 2025 Sustainability & Social Impact Strategy.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our purpose starts with our people — ensuring our workforce represents the people and communities we serve —and creating an environment where our people feel they belong; where we can be our authentic selves, feel treated with respect and have the support of leadership to impact the business in a meaningful way.

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 contact Application_Accommodation@colpal.com with the subject "Accommodation Request" should you require accommodation.

For additional Colgate terms and conditions, please click here.

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