Job Title: Breeding Colony Coordinator
Location: Case Main Campus
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 8235
Strong Internal Identified

A strong internal candidate has been identified.

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POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working with a high degree of independence and under general direction within the Animal Resource Center (ARC), the Breeding Colony Coordinator is responsible for the day to day animal care of the ARC Breeding Services Colonies. Responsibilities include training, breeding mice for researchers, shipping and receiving mice; ensuring compliance with IACUC standards; overseeing animal care and well-being; sanitizing equipment for the animals; and complying with all ARC policies and procedures. The coordinator will provide direct support, to the director, ARC veterinarians, principal investigators and research staff in the areas of breeding colony maintenance, animal health and quality assurance. This position will work with animals.

Case Western Reserve University’s animal facilities are accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) and is managed according to the "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” appropriate Federal Animal Welfare Regulations, and the Public Health Service “Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. This position is subject to compliance regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and other applicable regulatory guidelines.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1.Maintain principal investigator breeder mouse colonies of various strains; maintaining multiple lines of transgenic mouse colonies; providing colony management services, as well as ensure appropriate animal colony health and age to meet the needs of investigators. e.g., maintaining Excel database, setting up breeding, tailing, genotyping and weaning; ordering animals; and serving as the liaison between laboratory researchers and the staff of the ARC. Utilize new and innovative breeding colony management digital programs as they evolve in lab animal research. (14%)

2.Train new investigators and junior vet services staff members in the purchase, handling and experimental use of mice and ensure compliance with all IACUC and ARC rules and regulations. May recommend new procedures for compliance with rules and regulations. (12%)

3.Provide status reports and summaries to Senior Veterinarian and Director regarding animal colony sizes, health and age. Expand or contract animal colonies based on investigator experimental demands and on alterations in animal health and age. (12%)

4.Oversee and Administer nonstandard vendor (NSV) import/export process requests in eSirius/Google, request/email health status reports from various institutions, obtain veterinary authorization, ensure proper receipt of animal shipments into appropriate cage/room and enter associated billing charges into eSirius. Obtain USDA authorization for international shipments. Contact shipping company, prepare and send off shipment. Update and maintain export documentation spreadsheet. (10%)

5.Consult and determine priorities for the assigned principal investigator breeding colony operations and assist with the development and implementation of the ARC breeding program. Calculate and prepare direct costs associated with breeding colony services for invoicing. (10%)

6.Provide embryo/oviduct harvesting and hormone injections for the Transgenic Core, utilizing innovative surgical techniques, which requires a high level of technical skills. Must have detailed knowledge of sterile surgical technique, asepsis, rodent anatomy and tissue collection. The surgery involves a small incision in the ampulla region of the oviduct, through which the cumulus oocyte mass is removed. This technique provides an alternative method for oocyte collection and will be valuable for maximizing the number of oocytes from irreplaceable mice. (7% )

7.Oversee and perform pre- and post-sanitization bacteriology cultures of stationary housing equipment (runs, pens, tanks and pools). Culture water from automatic waterers (dog, large animal, manifolds and aquatic tanks) for bacterial contamination. Incubate cultures and perform Gram Staining of colony growth. Analyze results and send to outside vendor for further analysis when gram-negative bacteria are identified. Enter data into quality assurance spreadsheet for required documentation. (6%)

8.Perform quality assurance testing on frog tanks, which includes collection and analysis of conductivity in the recirculating system, pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, chlorine, alkalinity and water hardness. Notify Veterinarian and Mangers when issues arise. (6%)

9.Provide rodent disease surveillance testing by collecting rodent tissue samples for serology, parasitology, bacteriology and PCR testing to assess the stability or change in rodent health levels in the ARC. (6%)

10.Analyze and compile the data collected from the quarterly sentinel rodent disease surveillance for the health report. The primary objective of the health surveillance program is to monitor rodent colonies for the presence of agents that would compromise the health status of the Animal Resource Center rodents, so that appropriate management steps can be taken. Sentinel mice are at the heart of the mouse surveillance program, serving as the surrogates of health status for the colonies they represent. This a complex analysis of data. Health reports are required to be sent to other research institutions prior to receiving rodents from Case Western Reserve University ARC. (6%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1.Audit internal stock of ARC controlled and prescription drugs, on the first business day of each month, to ensure quantities on hand, match the quantities of drugs documented in the lab according to DEA regulations. (4%)

2.Provide coverage for Vet Tech Assistant, who monitors and provides separation of overcrowded rodent cages, due to noncompliance. Per regulatory policies, rodent cages cannot remain overcrowded due to animal welfare. The cages must be separated within 24-48 hours. (4% )

3.Perform other duties as assigned. (3%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with supervisor, attending veterinarians, assistant director, facility managers, veterinary technicians, training and compliance staff and animal care personnel to ensure import/export and quality assurance activities run smoothly.

University: Daily contact with IACUC staff and researchers to expedite the transport and receipt of animal shipments in compliance with our regulatory policies.

External: Weekly contact with various animal vendors, import/export coordinators and shipping couriers to coordinate shipment of animals, locally as well as internationally. Frequent contact with the USDA Office for approval of international animal shipments, as required per policy.

Students: Regular contact with graduate students and medical students who are performing medical research in the Animal Resource Center. Will provide instruction, training and education in the areas of animal transport and animal health as needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

No direct supervisory responsibility. This position participates in the oversight of investigative staff in the areas of import/export, quality assurance and breeding colony services.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 5-8 years of related experience in a laboratory animal environment required.

Education/ Licensing: Associate’s degree required. Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) level certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS); and maintenance of AALAS RLATG certification registry required or State registration as Veterinary technician.

REQUIRED SKILLS

1.Knowledge, understanding and ability to accurately apply of commonly used concepts, practices and procedures within the field of veterinary services, specific to a veterinary technician role.

2.Must demonstrate compliance with Case Western Reserve University animal research and care (ARC) policies and procedures and compliance to regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and other applicable regulatory guidelines.

3.Must demonstrate compassion for animals within Case Western Reserve University facilities and dedication to the Animal Resource Center’s mission. Must handle animals with care and respect at all times.

4.Previous experience working with animals preferred.

5.Ability to handle, restrain, administer substances and anesthesia and provide monitoring and post-operative and other nursing care for a wide range of animal species including but not limited to rodents, rabbits, dogs, cats and livestock.

6.Ability to maintain familiarity and demonstrate knowledge of ARC policies and governing regulatory guidelines to act as a resource to staff and researchers.

7.Professional and effective verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to articulately and accurately relay information to investigators, research staff and other interested parties.

8.Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work and communicate with various individuals from a broad spectrum of disciplines, technical and educational backgrounds within the department, School and University and with individuals outside the University.

9.Strong organization skills; ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines. Must demonstrate an attention to detail.

10.Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within a team.

11.Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.

12.Ability to learn and apply new ideas, processes, policies, functions, etc. Must be highly motivated and a self-starter.

13.Ability to work in a fast-paced, changing environment and conform to shifting priorities, demands and timeline. Must be flexible in order to respond to project adjustments and alterations promptly and efficiently. Must be able to adapt to varying workloads and respond appropriately to stressful situations.

14.Ability to follow-through on completion of health reports and analysis of bacteriology results and provide timely follow-up of any issues to management.

15.Proficiency in Microsoft Office, relational database software and with internet navigation. Ability to learn and apply software programs and applications as needed.

16.Ability to meet consistent attendance.

17.Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position will work directly with animals, which may include rodents, rabbits, dogs, cats, pigs, sheep, goats and non-human primates. This position may have direct contact with or have exposure to the following hazards: chemicals, infectious agents, radioactive materials, human blood and tissue and formaldehyde. The nature of this position requires the use of a respirator. This position may be required to drive or travel to satellite facilities at MetroHealth Medical Center and the VA Medical Center.

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In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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