Possible country route: Employer-specific work permit. A job offer is usually needed for an employer-specific permit. The employer may need an LMIA or an exemption. Express Entry permanent residence is a separate process.
IRCC times depend on the work-permit category and application country. Use the live processing-time tool; employer LMIA processing, if needed, is separate.
What to check before applying
Confirm permit and employer steps. Ask whether an LMIA or exemption applies to the offer.
Check the application country. Use IRCC requirements and the current processing-time tool.
Apply for the correct permit. A job offer alone does not authorise work or entry.
If you are an active McGill employee (ie: currently in an active contract or position at McGill University), do not apply through this Career Site. Login to your McGill Workday account and apply to this posting using the Find Jobs report (type Find Jobs in the search bar).
Job Description – Animal Attendant
Animal husbandry (55%)
Assists in the proper care and maintenance of animals
Feeds animals according to standards and schedules.
Ensures animals have access to an adequate source of potable water
Inspects animal housing conditions
Cleans and changes cages, pens, enclosures, and ancillary items such as platforms, food bins, water bottles, huts, wood structures and anything inside a cage or pen for a variety of animals, accessories according to established standards and schedules
Provides appropriate enrichment for different animal species (NHP toys, crinkled paper for mice, bird perches, rat tubes, etc.) … and ensures the macro environment follows the Canadian Council on Animal Care standards (CCAC).
Verifies macroenvironment - this includes visual, auditory and olfactory for anything abnormal.
Verifies that the equipment is functioning normally for the individually ventilated caging system.
Completes standard reports and logs for all tasks mandated by CCAC.
Animal health-related duties (8%)
Monitors the general health of the animals and informs the Animal Health
Technician of any changes via the rodent illness & injury reports.
Reports in person or via email/phone if urgent matters arise concerning any physical and/or behavioural abnormalities, according to CMARC standards for veterinary care, following job aids. Also reports any deviations to the approved housing standards (example, overcrowding)
Required to apply various treatments to animals after instructions from the Veterinary Care group (eye ointments, application of green clay over wounds, or providing wet food in a dish).
Completes standard reports and logs
Receiving and shipping of animals (2%)
Verifies that the received animals' paperwork matches the order's paperwork
Following established standards, verifies the sex, the number of animals, and the health condition of each animal and reports any discrepancies
Prepares and verifies animals for shipment following standards. Shipping is usually for rodents but can also be for primates. Receiving is also rodents, but in addition can be rabbits, cats, birds, aquatic species, primates and other species that may be housed in the future. The task at the ACA level is just packing the animals in transport boxes with appropriate supplies, depending on how far they are travelling.
Completes standard reports and logs
Facility Maintenance (10%):
Including hallways, anterooms, procedure rooms, euthanasia rooms, bathrooms in some facilities, office areas
in some facilities, and lounges in some facilities.
Sanitizes all animal-related areas according to standards.
Reports any malfunctioning equipment or facility-related issues
Performs minor work relating to the construction or repair of cages, enclosures, pens, etc.
Takes inventory of animals. Assists in the inventory and restocking of animal-related supplies and Equipment
Disposes of carcasses and waste according to standards
Completes standard reports and logs
Equipment Processing (18%)
All caging, racks, accessories and enrichment.
Cage Wash
Sanitizes, prepares and sterilizes animal-related equipment according to standards
Performs scheduled maintenance of processing equipment. Weekly and monthly maintenance of rack washers, cage washers, tunnel washers, autoclaves, dumping stations, filling stations and all associated equipment.
Completes standard reports and logs
Resource Person (2%)
Liaise with research staff regarding access to the equipment in the room
Vet care questions that can be answered in some cases or redirected to AHTs in other cases.
Demonstrate how to properly use various equipment
Demonstrate use of equipment (3%)
Assist in demonstrating all duties of an animal care attendant, if required, to new employees
Collaboration and support (2%)
In collaboration with all team members, ensures that all tasks are accomplished on a daily and weekly basis
Attends required meetings and training sessions
Identifies and suggests any potential improvements to the supervisor regarding processes and/or equipment.
The schedule for this position is based on a 5-day shift, including weekends
This position might require the incumbent to support different areas of CMARC depending on the need.
The use of Personal Protective Equipment is mandatory (including the N95 mask).
Participation in OHP is mandatory for personnel in contact with non-human primates.
Please note: This position may require work at Macdonald Campus, located in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, on an ad hoc basis.
As one of Montreal's Top Employers, here is what we offer:
Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)
Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)
Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
Competitive vacation policy
Two (2) personal days
Two (2) floating holidays
Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day
Paid time off over the December holiday period
Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents
Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits
Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.
Knowledge of English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level # (qualifier) on a scale of 0-4.
For a definition of our language proficiency levels, please click here.
McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.
Never pay a recruiter for a job offer or a visa promise. Check the original posting and employer identity before sharing documents. Pay any legitimate government visa fees only through official channels.