H-1B Visa Animal Care Technician Jobs
Animal Care Technician roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when the position requires a bachelor's degree in animal science, veterinary technology, or a related biological field. Employers in research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and zoological facilities are the most active H-1B sponsors for this occupation.
Find H-1B Visa Animal Care Technician JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 208+ Animal Care Technician jobs










See all 208+ Animal Care Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Animal Care Technician roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
Position Details
Recruitment/Posting Title Lab Animal Care Technician-N
Job Category AFSCME 1761 (COLT)
Department Operations
Overview
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the State of New Jersey’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. As one of the largest employers in the State of New Jersey, Rutgers University is committed not only to the students and the State that we serve, but also to the faculty and staff who work on our campuses. For two consecutive years, Rutgers is ranked on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Large Employers. Rutgers holds #64 of 500 employers and is the #1 New Jersey employer on the publication’s 2023 list. Rutgers’ commitment to its employees includes maintaining and fostering a safe, diverse, and respectful workplace environment, creating employment opportunities for our nation’s military veterans, and ensuring accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities.
Posting Summary
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Lab Animal Care Technician for the Office for Research.
The Office for Research’s mission is to support the research, scholarship, and creative endeavors of all Rutgers faculty. The Office accomplishes its mission by convening with academic and research leaders, providing integrated, user-focused resources, services, and tools, and partnering with faculty.
Among the key duties of the position are the following:
- Provides diversified care, feeding, transportation, and daily observation for all animal species used in research and teaching.
- Coordinates and assists in the general maintenance of the facilities.
- Ensures the humane care and treatment of the animals.
- Performs daily maintenance of multiple animal colony rooms to be in compliance with animal welfare regulations, university and CMR policies.
- Reports performance of animal husbandry and monitors procedures with special attention to the needs of virus free species, observing and reporting signs of illness, injury or distress in animals.
- Interacts with their supervisor regarding needs of individual research projects and PI’s and will become familiar with all project protocols as it relates to daily husbandry needs of the colony rooms they maintain.
- Ensures areas of noncompliance with regulations are reported; daily animal census is recorded and performs euthanasia when instructed.
FLSA Nonexempt
Grade 12
Salary Details
Minimum Salary 38666.790
Mid Range Salary 45307.460
Maximum Salary 52219.580
Offer Information
The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.
Benefits
Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:
- Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
- Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
- Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
- Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
- Life insurance coverage
- Employee discount programs
Position Status Full Time
Working Hours
Standard Hours 40.00
Daily Work Shift Day
Work Arrangement
This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.
Union Description AFSCME - Local 1761 COLT
Payroll Designation PeopleSoft
Seniority Unit
Terms of Appointment Staff - 12 month
Position Pension Eligibility PERS
Qualifications
Minimum Education and Experience
- High school/vocational school education or equivalent, and the ability and willingness to work with a wide variety of animal species.
Certifications/Licenses
- A valid driver’s license.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to record and maintain data in computerized and non-computerized formats.
- Ability to read, write, follow instructions and communicate in the English language.
- Required to pass pre-employment and periodic physical examinations and to participate in occupational health program for animal workers.
- Two years driving experience, and successful completion of the Rutgers Defensive Driving Course.
Preferred Qualifications
- Animal handling experience in a research laboratory environment.
- Certification by American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) level.
- Two (2) or more years of experience as a Laboratory Animal Caretaker with knowledge of laboratory animals.
Equipment Utilized
- Cage washing equipment, autoclaves, floor scrubbers, chemical mixing stations, dry heat oven, etc. Various computer programs.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to push and pull heavy loads of equipment, twisting of upper trunk, repetitive and overhead lifting.
- May work in cage wash and animal room conditions while wearing safety apparel and personal protective equipment (PPE).
- May be bending, stooping, or reaching for long periods of time.
- Ability to stand or walk on hard surfaces for most of the workday, including slippery surfaces.
- The work environment includes potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, and the use of hazardous and restricted chemicals.
- Potential exposure to animal dander, fluids and soiled waste as well as cleaning chemicals.
- Wearing PPE may increase body temperature.
Special Conditions
- Regular workweek may include weekends and/or holidays as needed.
- Safe Driving Record.
Posting Details
Posting Number 26ST1796
Posting Open Date 09/17/2026
Special Instructions to Applicants
- To apply, an application or resume must be submitted no later than 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 25. Although AFSCME Local 1761 (COLT) members have priority consideration, outside applications are accepted as well.
Regional Campus Rutgers University-Newark
Home Location Campus Rutgers University-Newark
City Newark
State NJ
Location Details
Pre-employment Screenings
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.
Immunization Requirements
Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- Do you have a minimum of high school/vocational school education or equivalent, and the ability and willingness to work with a wide variety of animal species?
- Yes
- No
- Are you currently a member of AFSCME 1761 (COLT)?
- Yes
- No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume/CV
Optional Documents
- Cover Letter/Letter of Application
- List of Professional References (contact Info)
See all 208+ H-1B Visa Animal Care Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Animal Care Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as an Animal Care Technician
Verify your degree meets specialty occupation standards
USCIS requires your role to normally demand at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. For animal care technicians, a degree in animal science, biology, or veterinary technology is the strongest credential. A general science degree with unrelated coursework weakens the petition.
Target research institutions and pharma employers
Biomedical research facilities, contract research organizations, and pharmaceutical companies routinely sponsor H-1B visas for animal care technicians because the roles require IACUC compliance knowledge and species-specific technical skills that justify the specialty occupation standard.
Search verified H-1B sponsors on Migrate Mate
Filter employers by their LCA filing history for animal care roles on Migrate Mate. This shows you which organizations have actively sponsored this job title before, so you're not applying to employers unfamiliar with the H-1B process for this occupation.
Confirm the prevailing wage tier before accepting an offer
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up prevailing wages for your SOC code and work location before your employer files the LCA. If the offered salary falls below Level I, the LCA will not certify and the H-1B petition can't proceed.
Get AALAS certification before your petition is filed
Holding an AALAS certification like ALAT or LAT strengthens the specialty occupation argument in your I-129 petition. It signals to USCIS that the role requires specialized knowledge beyond general animal handling, reducing the risk of a Request for Evidence.
Understand cap timing if your employer is cap-subject
Most private research companies are cap-subject, meaning your petition must be filed in April for an October 1 start date. Zoos, universities, and nonprofit research institutions are often cap-exempt, allowing filing and employment to begin at any time of year.
H-1B Visa Animal Care Technician: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Animal Care Technician role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It depends on how the employer defines the position. USCIS requires the role to normally demand a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field. Animal care technician roles at biomedical research facilities, pharmaceutical companies, and accredited zoos are more likely to qualify than general shelter or kennel positions, because they require applied knowledge in animal physiology, IACUC protocols, or species-specific husbandry that a bachelor's degree directly supports.
Which employers sponsor H-1B visas for Animal Care Technician jobs?
Contract research organizations, university research departments, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and large zoological institutions are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for this role. These employers regularly file Labor Condition Applications for animal care positions because the technical requirements of their programs meet the specialty occupation standard. You can find employers with verified LCA filing history for this job title on Migrate Mate.
What credentials strengthen an H-1B petition for this role?
A bachelor's degree in animal science, veterinary technology, biology, or a closely related field is the foundation. AALAS certifications such as ALAT, LAT, or LATG add significant weight by demonstrating role-specific technical competency. If your degree is from outside the U.S., a credential evaluation from a NACES-member evaluator confirming U.S. equivalency is required before USCIS will accept it as qualifying.
Can I switch Animal Care Technician jobs while on H-1B status?
Yes, but your new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before or on the day you start the new job. Under AC21 portability rules, you can begin working for the new employer once the transfer petition is filed and receipted, as long as your current H-1B has been approved for at least 180 days. The new role must also meet the specialty occupation standard independently.
What is the prevailing wage for Animal Care Technician H-1B positions?
Prevailing wages vary by SOC code, geographic location, and experience level. Your employer is required to pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for the relevant level before the LCA will certify. You can look up the applicable wage for your specific location and job duties using the OFLC Wage Search. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also publishes national and regional wage data for this occupation under O*NET occupational classifications.