Summary : The Laboratory Animal Resources Supervisor position manages the daily operations of an academic biomedical animal research facility, administers the animal care program and policies, and interprets and ensures compliance with established and proposed federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines. The position requires a high level of accountability, resourcefulness, planning, organizing and customer service. This position reports to the Associate Dean for Research & Sponsored Programs.
General Duties and Responsibilities Facility Administration/Management:
Renew Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Controlled Substances registration (every 3 years); Renew the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy permit (biennially); Purchase, store and inventory all controlled substances for research use. Oversee, monitor and audit controlled substances log books; Renew annually the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) institutional membership; Construct forms to document daily/weekly animal usage, document and monitor animal feed and bedding use, document and monitor daily/weekly/monthly animal care activities, establish and oversee facility environmental parameters (temperature and humidity) and equipment and facility maintenance and sanitation; Oversee that proper documentation is occurring; Maintain inventories of all necessary facility supplies; Perform monthly animal inventories; design and implement work and traffic flow patterns; Compose Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for necessary technical procedures; Maintain and/or oversee breeding colonies of research animals; Perform animal research technical procedures as needed; Compose and implement a facility Disaster Plan; Establish and perform quality assurance program for water testing, sanitation levels of animal caging and facility surfaces; Establish and perform the research animal health monitoring program; Communicate regularly with research personnel; Keep office and files (computer and hard copy) organized; Provide all necessary record keeping; Submit work orders for all facility repair needs; Monitor facility security; Perform animal care technician's duties in their absence; Propose and recommend changes in animal care program as necessitated by new regulations and/or industry best practices. Perform other duties as assigned. Fiscal Administration:
Prepare departmental budget and submit to supervisor; Purchase all required items for facility; Reconcile and submit monthly Spending Unit report (P-card) to supervisor; Collect data and submit monthly reports of animal usage to Principal Investigators, ORSP and Accounts Receivable. Committee Memberships:
Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC), Safety Committee and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC): Attend meetings; Review meeting minutes; Review research protocols for resource availability and compliance with applicable regulations; Advise and act as a professional resource for research, safety and biosafety program issues regarding federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines; Regularly communicate with the IACUC Chair, Attending Veterinarian and the Research Compliance Administrator regarding animal care program; Participate in IACUC semiannual animal care program reviews and facility inspections. Personnel Management:
Submit holiday work schedules to the Dean for approval (for non-exempt employees); Participate in annual performance evaluations of direct reports (will provide the feedback); Provide feedback, coaching, and training as needed; Implement daily work schedule for animal care staff; Implement weekend/holiday animal care schedules for research technicians and animal care staff; Encourage personal and professional development through training opportunities. Performs related duties as assigned or as directed. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Ability to prepare and follow a budget Ability to interpret and apply established and proposed federal, state and local regulations and guidelines for a research facility. Ability to participate in all phases of facility design and management. Knowledge of and ability to institute recommendations and regulations relating to biohazards, biocontainment and biosecurity. Knowledge of animal science/husbandry principles which include the nutritional and physiological needs and requirements for a variety of laboratory animals. Ability to provide technical assistance to Investigators. Ability to implement a variety of husbandry practices and to write Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the care of various species of laboratory animals in a safe, humane and sanitary manner. Strong communication skills including oral and written. Ability to recognize common signs of clinical illness and/or irregularities in lab animals. Knowledge of the principles of disease transmission, prevention and control and how they relate to colony management. Ability to implement a health surveillance program for lab animals. Knowledge of facility and equipment sanitation practices to ensure compliance with industry standards, including training and monitoring personnel in these practices. Computer skills required using several applications: Microsoft Office, Outlook, Banner. Ability to work independently as well as be a team player and to get along well with others. Ability to meet physical demands of the job - long periods of standing, walking, lifting moderately heavy items (approx. 50 lbs.) and long periods of sitting (doing computer work). Organizational and time management skills required to manage a wide variety of tasks, multiple projects, reports, requests and work load. Education and Experience This position requires a Bachelor's degree in a related field and over 3 years of laboratory animal science/biological sciences/veterinary technician experience. AALAS certification at a LATg level is required, or obtained within 2 years. A minimum of three years of experience working in a research animal lab or related fields and AALAS certification at LAT level. Vet tech certification with small lab (rodent) animal experience is preferred. An equivalent combination of relevant and recent experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.
Medical Monitoring Frequent exposure to toxic substances, medicinal preparations and other conditions are common to a research environment. This position requires the incumbent to participate in the Medical Monitoring program at no cost to the employee.
Position This is a full-time, non-classified position; it is exempt from FLSA regulations concerning overtime. Not all activities of this position occur within the confines of an 8:00-4:30 schedule and may require evening and weekend scheduling as needed. The weekly schedule for this position will be established between the supervisor and the employee and approved given the needs of the department and the institution.
This position has been designated as Essential. This means that when WVSOM is faced with an institutional emergency, employees in such positions may be required to remain at their work location or to report to work to protect, recover and continue operations at WVSOM.
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to enhancing diversity among its faculty and staff. About West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine is a free-standing medical school nestled in the Allegheny Mountains. WVSOM is located in "America's Coolest Small Town" (Budget Magazine 2011) just minutes from the famed Greenbrier® Resort, a Five Diamond hotel and spa and host of the PGA's annual Greenbrier Classic. WVSOM brings over 40 years of history serving the health and wellness needs of the Greenbrier Valley, the state of West Virginia and beyond. The school's small-town, rural community cherishes its connection with the college and our students are actively engaged in service outreach and support for over 40 non-profit organizations in this area. Additionally, WVSOM faculty and staff enjoy a vibrant cultural community which features one of only four operating Carnegie Halls in the world, as well as the state professional theatre of West Virginia. Throughout the year, employees can enjoy live plays and musicals, a broad representation of visual artists, an annual chocolate festival, a flourishing literary series, and live music events within a historic preservation area featuring 19th century architecture, unique shops and dining, and limitless outdoor recreation. This one ... -of-a-kind environment brings together farmers and artists, lumbermen and world-renowned musicians, holistic physicians and thrill-seeking whitewater rafters in a diverse melting pot that is truly unique! Show more
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