Mgr, Animal Care & Facilities - University of Massachusetts Medical School

POSITION SUMMARY: 

Under general supervision of the Associate Director, Animal Care & Facilities or designee, the Animal Care and Facilities Manager manages the day-to-day operations of all animal husbandry and care activities.  The Animal Care & Facilities Manager is responsible for managing the husbandry and animal care activities in a major research animal program. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Supervise direct reports, as assigned by the Associate Director, Animal Care and Facilities
• Assist in the development and modification, as needed, of animal care policies, procedures and practices which promote the high quality, cost-effective operation of the animal facilities.
• Coordinate the training of animal care staff for their animal care responsibilities; help prepare staff for AALAS certification.
• Interact with faculty and staff to provide high quality, responsive animal care services; advise on technological changes affecting laboratory animal research and care.
• Provide and support a quality assurance program to monitor effectiveness of animal care and animal welfare.
• Help ensure continued program accreditation.
• Help ensure compliance with federal, state and local animal regulatory requirements.
• Execute performance valuations by determining the competency and performance of subordinate staff.
• In concert with the Associate Director for Animal Care and Facilities, initiate and approve personnel actions including hiring, transferring, promoting, suspending and termination of employees.
• Work with Veterinary Services staff to coordinate training and provision of technical services to research groups’ animals in the facility.
• Review annual budget projections for equipment and supplies for accuracy and completeness.
• Assist with identifying equipment and supplies needed and provide an estimate on quantity needed for the upcoming year.
• Weekend and holiday work may be required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business management or any of the life sciences (e.g., animal science, biology, microbiology) or equivalent
• Or, graduation from the Institute for Laboratory Animal Management and 6 years laboratory animal science experience
• American Association for Laboratory Animal Science certification at the Technologist level.
• Successful completion of the examination for certified Manager, as administered by AALAS ; AALAS certification as a Certified Manager of Animal Resources is preferred.
• At least 5 years experience in an AAALAC accredited laboratory animal facility including at least 3 years as a Supervisor or Manager (including hiring or interviewing to hire, managing, and disciplinary action; experience)
• Able to undergo and receive approval for access to select agents: a Security Risk Assessment by the Criminal Justice Informational System to obtain FBI/CDC clearance, and an internal Suitability Assessment.
• Budget development and oversight experience preferred
• Demonstration of the functioning of barrier animal facilities
• Knowledge of a wide variety of common laboratory animals
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Good organizational skills and be able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to travel to off-site locations

ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed mainly with the animal facilities, which are located in different buildings on the several campuses.  Although preventive safety measures are enforced, hazards in the workplace include:

• exposure to animal odors, fur, hair, diseases, bites, scratches, cuts, dust, disinfectants, infectious agents, radioisotopes and toxic chemicals.
• Danger of falls on wet floors or from ladders and exposure to steam, heat, and humidity will occasionally be part of the work environment.