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Mgr, Animal Care & Facilities
Job Number: 2024-46559
Category: Research
Location: Worcester, MA
Shift: Day
Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Business Unit: UMass Chan Medical School
Department: School - Animal Medicine - W407200
Job Type: Full-Time
Salary Grade: 45
Num. Openings: 1
Post Date: Nov. 18, 2024

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:

  • Bachelors 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.

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