General Information

Position Title: Director of Animal Programs and Laboratory Support
Control Number: 000141
Reports To: 000372
Position Title Department Name
Director, Sciences Support Services & Bicentennial Hall Science Tech Support Services
Department Name: Science Tech Support Services
Location: Science Tech Support Services
Date Prepared: Aug-08
Exempt: Yes

Primary Purpose

Directs the animal care program, overseeing animal facility operations and compliance issues.  Directs operation of the greenhouse and laboratory support areas, ensuring that animals, plants, and other living organisms receive appropriate care.

Responsibilities

Works cooperatively with others and accepts direction from supervisors.

* Serves as Director of Animal Programs, working closely with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Chair and Attending Veterinarian to determine requirements and ensure compliance with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institutes of Health-Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (NIH-OLAW), the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory and Animal Care (AAALAC), and other regulations and standards applicable to animal care and welfare.

* Establishes policies and procedures on animal care in conjunction with IACUC.

* Ensures that laboratory animals receive 365-day care, scheduling staff coverage as necessary.

* Provides training for faculty, staff, and students, developing standards and guidelines, conducting training sessions, and arranging presentations by guest speakers.

* Determines operational policies and procedures for the animal facility, including surgical suite and assignment of animal holding rooms.

* Ensures that facility records, including protocol forms, surgical records, drug administration forms, and other records are maintained and available for ready inspection, as required.

* Conducts semi-annual facility inspections and program reviews.

* Develops and prepares reports, assurances, and other documents for regulatory bodies and the Institutional Offical.

* Resolves conflicts among facility users.

* Serves as liaison to the Attending Veterinarian, outside consultants, government inspection teams, and animal facility directors at other institutions.

* Serves as IACUC Administrator, working with IACUC chair to coordinate protocol submissions and reviews.

* Manages support for IACUC, including information resources, newletters, websites, listserves, and databases.

* Hires, trains, and supervises laboratory support staff, including animal care staff, Senior Laboratory Technician and student assistants, ensuring that related facilities are managed properly and that organisms receive required care.

* Directs operation of the Bicentennial Hall and satellite greenhouses, botanical facilities and collections, and invertebrate/aquatic growth rooms, and coordinates services with faculty for class and research use.

* Attends conferences and meetings related to animal welfare and greenhouse management.

* Meets regularly with Director of Sciences Support Services to discuss and implement enhancements to laboratory operations; develop budget proposals and make recommendations.

* Manages the animal facility and greenhouse budget lines, overseeing supply purchases and recommending purchases of capital equipment.

* Conducts greenhouse tours, open houses, and other public-relations activities.

* Instructs and works with students in the care of living organisms and use of related lab equipment, as required.

Assists other STSS staff in coverage of departmental responsibilities, as necessary.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education & Training

Bachelor's degree in Biology or related field required.  Master's preferred.  Must be certified by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) or eligible for certification. Training in pesticide handling techniques in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency and state standards (may be taken after employment).

Experience

Two years of experience in animal facility operations and laboratory animal care of rodent species required.  Experience with non-mammalian vertebrate and invertebrate laboratory animals desirable.  Experience or training in horticulture or greenhouse operations and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices helpful.

Knowledge

Must have knowledge of Animal Welfare Act and related federal and state laws and regulations governing care of laboratory animals.  Must be reasonably familiar with biological and biochemical laboratory operations and techniques as required to knowledgeably supervise staff.

Other

Must be able to exercise appropriate, independent judgement.  Must be able to interact and work well with faculty, other staff, and students.