Animal Care & Research Technician

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.

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 $44,000.00 - $60,500.00 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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