Animal Husbandry Manager - Animal Care

Job description

Job Title: Animal Husbandry Manager - Animal Care
Location: Case Main Campus
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 8684
Job Description POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Animal Husbandry Manager–Animal Care is a member of the Animal Resource Center (ARC) management team responsible for assuring that operations within the ARC run smoothly and the highest level of care and attention is given to the animals and to research. Animal Husbandry Managers supervise and oversee the care for animals and sanitation of equipment for the animals. This includes the supervision of animal husbandry and cage wash staff and assuring animals within ARC facilities receive daily feed, watering and cage sanitation.

The Animal Husbandry Manager–Animal Care is primarily responsible for overseeing the animal care operations for an assigned area. This includes assuring animals receive daily feed and water, and cleaning and sanitation of animal enclosures and animal rooms, as well as receiving compassionate care within the Animal Resource Center. The Animal Husbandry Manager–Animal Care is also responsible for maintaining up-to-date knowledge and understanding of cage wash processes and procedures and will be responsible for providing on-site and off-site leadership to both animal husbandry and cage wash staff as needed. This position is subject to compliance with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Public Health Service, and the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Oversee animal care activities for assigned area within ARC; animal feed and water, cage change and preparation, room sanitation, equipment monitoring, organization and supervision and determine priorities for the assigned animal care operations and assist with the development and implementation of programs. (8%)Evaluate the effectiveness of animal care activities to maintain the proper animal care environment at all times and modify procedures of animal care and animal enclosure sanitation in a compassionate, cost effective and efficient manner. (8%)Supervise animal husbandry technicians and team leaders; interview, hire and train new technicians in animal care activities; evaluate performance and recommend salary increases and promotions; and determine weekly schedules in coordination with the facility Animal Husbandry Manager–Cage Wash. (8%)Train technicians, other ARC staff and research personnel as needed in the animal care, cage and enclosure changing, and cage wash daily duties. (7%)Evaluate workflow and make recommendations to improve interaction between husbandry personnel and cage preparation personnel. (6%)Monitor caging, equipment and animal supplies levels to identify needed equipment and supplies to meet ongoing demand. Solicit bids from vendors for replacement cages, place orders and provide single source documentation where applicable. (6%)Collaborate with the ARC management team in establishing policies, procedures and methods to ensure maintenance of AAALAC standards of housing and care. (6%)Supervise and oversee animal disposal and waste management activities. (6%)Maintain laminar flow workbenches and oversee preventative maintenance and daily care of animal caging equipment. Contact manufacturer and vendor to provide service to animal caging equipment. (6%)Assume the duties of other Animal Husbandry Managers, including Cage Wash, in assigned or another facility as required. (6%)Assist with the maintenance of cage washers and autoclaves and ensure that preventative maintenance and daily quality control checks are performed. Contact manufacturer and vendor to provide service for the cage wash equipment. (6%)Maintain awareness of chemical hazard and safety plans (MSDSs, ECP, CHP), and their implementation by Director; assume the duties of the Animal Husbandry Manager–Special Facilities as required. (6%)Contact Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) for hazard evaluation and compliance as required. (6%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Perform back up duties to the Administrative Manager in the area of human resources procedures including time approval and overtime. (3%)Serve as the liaison to research personnel and provide assistance and advice on animal care issues. (3%)Assist in delivering animals and supplies to and from other animal facilities. (3%)Provide input for the evaluation of new caging and related equipment. (3%)Perform other related duties as assigned. (3%)

CONTACTS

Department: Continuous contact with the director, training and compliance staff, clinical veterinarians, veterinary technicians, husbandry and facility managers and animal care staff to ensure that animal husbandry and cage wash operations function smoothly.

University: Frequent contact with investigators and research staff to provide quality animal care and excellent customer service within the Animal Resource Center.

External: Contact with vendors/contractors to manage delivers and escort contractors throughout the Animal Resource Center facility.

Students: May have contact with graduate and research students who are performing medical research in the Animal Resource Center. Will provide the students with the husbandry and cagewash resources needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Supervise 6 to 15 animal care technicians.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 3 to 5 years of experience in a supervisory or team leader role with multiple direct reports.

Education/Licensing: B.S. degree in Laboratory Animal Science or related Biological or Management field, American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification at the Laboratory Animal Technology level preferred, Certified Manager of Animal Resources level preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Excellent management skills; ability to effectively lead, train, work with, elicit cooperation from, and maintain awareness of communication and learning styles of individual staff members.Familiarity with 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 preferred. The incumbent will be required to be aware of all applicable regulations related to animal research within 90 days after hire. Must demonstrate compassion for animals within the ARC facilities and dedication to ARC’s mission. Must handle animals with care and respect at all times.Willingness and ability to operate cage wash equipment. Familiarity with equipment management and/or quality control, specifically related to sanitation, is preferred. Previous experience working with animals and/or working in a research environment preferred. Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills. Must demonstrate the ability to effective communicate and work with individuals form a broad spectrum of disciplines, technical and educational backgrounds within the department, school and university, and individuals outside the university. Must demonstrate the ability to articulately and accurately relay information to ARC management and staff, investigators, research staff, and other interested parties.Strong organization skills; ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines. Must demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy, time management skills, and follow-through.Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within a team. Must be highly motivated, responsible, dependable and a self-starter.Effective problem-solving skills; must demonstrate excellent analytical skills, sound judgment and good decision-making.Must demonstrate flexibility and ability to work under pressure; must be able and willing to work in a fast-paced, changing environment, and conform to shifting priorities, demands and timeline.Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc.) and database management.Must demonstrate willingness to learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and computer programs as needed.Ability to meet consistent attendance.Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position will work in the Animal Resource Center facility, working directly with animal cage and cage equipment cleaning machinery and with animals. Hazards to health and safety are minimized by prior training and instruction in proper handling animals, and operation of equipment. Health hazards associated with this position and working in an ARC facility include: exposure to animal bites, scratches, kicks, and zoonotic diseases; odors, noises and temperatures associated with animals; working with soiled animals and cages; cuts from broken water bottles and sharp edges of cages; burns from steam and hot water used in cleaning procedures; dermatitis resulting from exposure to strong cleaning compounds and insecticides and organic chemicals; exposure to radiation from isotope-injected animals (generally trace amounts); and strain or accident associated with frequent moving of heavy (up to 60 lbs) equipment, animals, feed sacks, and bagged or baled bedding.

Where appropriate, the nature of this position may require the use of a respirator (must have prior health evaluation) or surgical mask. This position also requires baseline evaluation of hearing and vision. Training and personal protective equipment (hearing, eyewear, gowns, respirator and gloves) will be provided.

It is necessary to complete the job before leaving work; animal care cannot be held over to the next day and providing the highest level of care to animals is essential to ARC’s mission. Animal care is a 7-day per week, 365-days per year job. All tasks must be performed to fulfill guidelines and regulations according to USDA and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NRC2011), which is the main resource used by AAALAC's Council on Accreditation.

This position may be required to drive or travel to satellite facilities at MetroHealth Medical Center and the VA Medical Center. The nature of this position requires baseline hearing and the use of a respirator. This position may require working some weekends and holiday shifts.

Diversity Statement

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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Reasonable Accommodations

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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