JOB SUMMARY:
Under general supervision, supervises the day-to-day activities of a laboratory animal facility. Oversees the care and treatment of animals to ensure compliance with federal rules and regulation of animal care and appropriateness to research conducted. This position may be used in one or all types of Animal Biosafety Laboratories (ABLS) ranging from level 1 to 3 environments.
PRIMARY DUTIES
- Determine work priorities, plans, and schedules; assign and review work; conduct hands-on training of animal care personnel.
- Provide husbandry supervision defined by standard operating procedures (SOP), such as ensuring appropriate feeding and watering of animals, cleaning and changing cages, preparing special diets and monitoring proper temperature, light, and humidity levels. Follow SOPs related to biosecurity and disease prevention handling in the care of the animals, facility, and staff.
- Recommend, implement, and maintain policies, procedures and planning the direction of the daily operations of the animal facilities.
- Ensure caging and housing materials meet the specific housing requirements for each species. Ensure enclosure and bedding changes are performed per defined frequency and compliance in transporting animals with specified physical restraints, handling, and transportation requirements.
- Supervise the documentation and record keeping of animal and non-animal room logs and proper clinical documentation.
- Oversee receipt of animal, feeding/bedding and supplies. Ensure animals are received in online management portal, cage cards printed and delivered to appropriate facility/rooms.
- Assist in the oversight of the maintenance of the facility and animal care. Report abnormal environmental parameters within facility to appropriate physical plant teams.
- Assist in facility security (systems and breach prevention strategies planning and enforcement).
- Perform rounds throughout the facility and animal rooms to ensure all assigned tasks are completed.
- May perform routine research and reporting of related activities such as collecting, measuring and analyzing specimens, animal observation, transporting and weighing animals. Assist in the preparation and review of documentation submission for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and other regulatory agencies, such as USDA, PHS, FDA, and GLP.
Note: The intent of this list of primary duties is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this job. Incumbents perform other related duties assigned. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary based upon departmental needs.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION: High School Diploma or GED.
EXPERIENCE: Three (3) years in animal husbandry environment with at least two (2) years in a laboratory animal facility supporting a research project.
OTHER: Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) as a Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) preferred.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
General knowledge of the appropriate handling of all species of laboratory animals. Ability to train and supervise facility and animal staff in proper animal care. Ability to follow standard operating procedures; to wear and work in personal protective equipment; to operate computers and other standard office equipment; to supervise and train personnel; to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to operate standard laboratory animal equipment including scales, autoclaves, pressure washers, cage washers, steam cleaners, etc.; to lift bags of feed and bedding; to follow standard operating procedures; to move heavy stainless steel racks, clean cages, etc.
OTHER:
Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 college credits being equivalent to one year of experience.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Candidates selected for employment may be subject to medical inquiries and/or medical examinations to determine ability to perform the job. Biosafety Laboratory Level 3 have additional guidelines specific to working in BLS3 environments requiring the receipt of BLS3 training, ability to demonstrate proficiency in BLS3 practice and techniques, and participate in medical surveillance. Biosafety Laboratories Level 3 (BLS3) requires successful completion of Department of Justice security clearance for work with Select Agents and Toxins, as required by Federal regulation. May be required to have current tetanus and/or diphtheria shots.
