Animal Attendant

Job Description

Animal Attendant

• Permanent, full-time role with competitive remuneration and benefits

• Location:  Upper Hut, Wellington, NZ

• Career growth: Expand your expertise in a growing, successful industry

• Professional development: Gain valuable experience in a dynamic, evolving role

The primary responsibility of the Animal Attendant is to work as part of a team responsible for the care, welfare and productivity of a variety of laboratory animal species. They will be required to perform a range of tasks in the area and contribute to the smooth running of the department to meet breeding and welfare targets.

Tasks may include management of animal breeding, health observation and treatment, documentation and record keeping, animal cage and room cleaning, animal feeding and general husbandry, and other general duties that underpin the operation of the department.

The nature of animal work requires some duties to be performed outside normal work hours, and the incumbent will be required to participate in weekend and holiday rosters to support the facility.

The Animal Attendant sits within the GQO (Global Quality Operations) organisation and reports to the Animal Breeding & Farm Supervisor.

What You Will Do

Responsibilities include, however not limited to:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Care for, monitor, and support the welfare of a range of laboratory animal species as part of a team

• Carry out daily husbandry tasks, including feeding animals, cleaning cages and rooms, general animal care, and maintaining suitable animal environments

• Assist with animal breeding activities to support productivity and welfare targets

• Maintain accurate breeding, health, and husbandry records

• Monitor animal health and wellbeing and report concerns promptly to the supervisor

• Complete cleaning activities and related records in line with written procedures and Good Documentation Practice

• Follow established procedures, policies, and animal welfare standards at all times

• Use and maintain Restricted Veterinary Medicines in accordance with company procedures and relevant legislation

• Complete required ALASS (Animal Laboratory Animal Science System) training units and any other assigned training

• Participate in weekend, holiday, and out-of-hours rosters as required

• Contribute ideas for improving procedures, workflows, equipment, or facilities

• Work collaboratively with team members to support department goals and priorities

Support animal technicians by:

• reviewing test schedules

• planning daily and weekly tasks

• carrying out husbandry activities in the testing area

What You Must have

• Experience handling and caring for animals

• Strong commitment to animal welfare

• Ability to follow written instructions accurately

• Good communication skills

• Excellent documentation and record-keeping skills

• Basic computer skills, including: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook

• Physical fitness and ability to perform prolonged physical activity, including lifting and carrying approximately 10 kilograms (kg)

• Willingness to complete training and work rostered hours as required

What You Can Expect

• A supportive team environment where you can develop your skills in animal care, husbandry, and welfare

• Opportunities to learn and build experience through ongoing training and day-to-day hands-on work

• Exposure to a varied role supporting breeding, health monitoring, documentation, and general animal care responsibilities

• The opportunity to contribute to a collaborative team focused on high standards of animal welfare and operational excellence

• Support to grow your capability and explore further development opportunities within a trusted global animal health organisation

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing talented and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive workplace.

Required Skills:

Animal Breeding, Animal Care, Animal Handling, Animal Husbandry, Animal Management, Animal Welfare, Nondestructive Testing (NDT), Physical Abilities, Quality Auditing, Quality Management Standards, Quality Metrics, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Test Evaluation

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

Yes

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

07/24/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.