Animal photographer job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Animal photographer in details. A complete job description concludes Animal photographer key duties/responsibilities, Animal photographer job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience…KSA model) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

I. List of Animal photographer duties:

1. Properly execute all Texas Biomed animal capture plans, adverse weather plans and other disaster plans.
2. Will be responsible for the care and preventive maintenance of assigned equipment and the stocking of supplies necessary for the operation of the animal resources segment of the research program.
3. Oversee the coordination and training of animal care personnel and provide cross training in order to ensure greater flexibility of animal care staff.
4. Consult with investigators and/or veterinarians and make recommendations concerning methodology and animal care procedures to be followed in a research program or a segment thereof.
5. Will be responsible for organization and administration of proper housing for all species. Specifically to ensure that all adequate caging is available to be in compliance with AAALAC standards and pertinent federal regulatory requirements.
6. Will write and review SOP’s, develop animal care and use procedures and programs.
7. Assist with design, construction and renovation of animal facilities.
8. Recommend employee selection, transfer, promotion and termination.
9. Monitor performance of employees and conduct periodic performance evaluations.
10. Provide counseling and disciplinary action when necessary.
11. Participate in on-site IACUC, AAALAC and USDA inspections and the subsequent coordination of corrective actions.
12. Audit husbandry and animal care data.
13. Coordinate and train supervisory personnel in all procedures such as management/human resources procedures, animal husbandry and facility maintenance.
14. Prescribe husbandry and animal care program duties such as monitoring, sampling and observing laboratory animals.
15. Perform other duties as assigned.
16. Will report directly to the Attending Veterinarian/Departmental Associate Director.

II. List of Animal photographer qualifications

1. High School Diploma or equivalent plus 4 years experience in an animal research facility or veterinary practice required; Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in animal science or equivalent plus 2 year relevant experience preferred.
2.  AALAS certification at ALAT level is required
3. Basic computer skills in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, and Outlook required; skills in Topaz Granite/Elements are desirable
4. Strict attention to detail and follow-up skills are essential
5. Strong verbal and written communications skills are required
6. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to perform in a team environment
7. No known allergies to animals
8. This position requires a high degree of physical work effort including but not limited to: bending, lifting (up to 50 lbs), squatting, pushing/pulling, reaching and long periods of standing, in addition to handling and restraint of small and large laboratory animals.
9. Required use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including uniforms, respiratory, eye, hearing, hand and foot protection
10. H.S. Diploma or GED required
11. Preferred, Associate's Degree in animal science or related field
12. Three years of providing animal husbandry and/or animal care
13. AALAS certification at ALAT Level
14. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
15. Must be willing to submit to a background investigation, including verification of your past employment, criminal history, and educational background
16. Must be willing to take a drug test and post-offer physical (if required)
17. Must be 18 years of age or older

III. Tips to write job description

1. Too-long job description:

Looking at a too-long job description can frighten the candidates off and drive the away. A job description, no matter how important the job is, should not be included in more than 3 pages. If one focuses on too many things at a time, he shall definitely lose focus on the main items and get overwhelmed by the remaining; So, keep it concisely.

2. Too-short job description:

While too-long can be a problem, too-short is more a problem. It will ruin the meaning of the job description. A too-short one means it lacks necessary details and therefore, the candidate will not be able to understand while reading it.

3. Listing unnecessary functions or job duties:

Just classifying these into the “others” category will save you a lot of effort and space. On the other hand, the job description will become more dilute and easy to be neglected.

4. Key functions

Not listing key functions as required for the job can be a fatal mistake to a job description.

5. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and having spelling errors can ruin the job description, too. Never think that as you are the employer, you may have the right to make grammar or spelling errors while requires other not to. A job description with such errors is easily to be mistaken as a fake or ghost ads; as a result, the candidate will turn away from it.

6. Not specific enough:

Be specific and concise; if you don’t address the specific, then what the job description is for. It is for the candidate to understand just exactly what he needs to do or needs to have. Lacking details can confuse the candidates very well.

7. Not having the job description reviewed by others:

This is also a common mistake. One may be subject to bias, but more than one, especially with the help of those external advisor, the job description can be more perfect.

8. Using buzzwords or abbreviations:

In fact, it is not necessary at all to use such in a job description.

9. Using slang or legal words:

Just use common wording to communicate with others and don’t do anything extraordinarily.

10. Not updating the job description:

The same job may require different duties and responsibilities in different times, so, you cannot use the same job description for 2 different times.