Job Summary

In the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR), the Comparative Medicine Specialist (CMS) Assistant Manager works as part of the management team for the husbandry staff in a designated research space. This position reports to an Operations Manager or Assistant Operations Manager in an assigned area based on the overall operational needs of DLAR. The DLAR CMS Assistant Manager position may perform any of the tasks outlined below. The portfolio of duties for the CMS Assistant Manager position may change based on operational needs but will be contained to the overall scope of the role within the husbandry team.

1. Assumes management of direct reports in an assigned area under the mentorship of the Operations Manager. This includes monitoring work arrivals/departures and approving time off requests for the CMS and CMS Senior positions based on operational needs. The CMS Assistant Manager will assist the operations manager or designee with writing PEPs and corrective actions.

2. Performs all duties and responsibilities of the CMS and CMS Senior levels and serves as back-up in their absence. This includes all husbandry duties, maintaining animal inventory, husbandry and room maintenance records and performing facility sanitation in assigned facilities.

3. Performs daily work involving the handling of conventional and genetically engineered animal models, animals with immunocompromised health status, infectious disease studies, and animals recovering from surgery or other invasive procedures, etc.

4. Performs duties within various animal biosafety levels.

5. Provides coaching, mentoring and training to CMS, CMS Senior, and research staff; facilitates small group and team building activities.

6. Performs proficiency checks on employees regularly to include documentation and follow up to ensure proper training.

7. Assists Operations Manager or designee with purchases of supplies or other management duties in their absence or as assigned.

8. Assists Operations Manager or designee in writing and updating SOPs as assigned.

9. Install, manage, and maintain specialized facility equipment and communicate with Operations Manager when issues are identified.

10. Checks all door sheets/forms associated with husbandry duties for accuracy and completeness.

11. Assists Operations Manager or designee with management duties as assigned.

12. Conducts facility orientations for all DLAR spaces in a given research area.

13. Communicates with veterinary staff on a regular basis about all health observations and confirmed conditions; assists in the development of new operational approaches that are likely to minimize the incidence of common problems. Communicate with the research staff as directed by the veterinary staff about health concerns that can be prevented and instruct DLAR or research staff on new methods or process changes.

14. Coordinates collection of diagnostic samples and ensures timely submission to the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab.

15. Assists the Operations Manager or designee with animal transfers making sure that documentation is completed, and proper procedures are followed.

16. Coordinates receipt of animals for assigned areas. Performs initial inspections of incoming or newly arrived animals and assures that they are in good health and that the animals in shipping containers meet the specifications of accompanying shipping records. Assists Import/Export and Transfer Specialists with animal imports, exports, and transfers, making sure that identified animals are selected and properly routed.

17. May provide specialized technical assistance to DLAR veterinarians and research staff. Serve as a resource to research staff in the preparation and conduct of their approved protocols.

18. Assists with the implementation of the DLAR environmental enrichment program and assesses animals for behavioral issues; may change enrichment devices based on knowledge of behavioral problems and proper therapies as appropriate.

19. Assists in quarantine, isolation, and housing of animals in the department facilities with any special health concerns to protect the health of other colony animals.

20. Assists Operations Manager in conducting CMS meetings, training sessions and team building activities as scheduled by the supervisory staff.

21. Complies with DLAR and Duke Policies and standard operating procedures.

22. Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Education/Training

High school diploma or equivalent. Must have a valid driver’s license. LAT certification required; LATG certification preferred.

Experience

Five years of laboratory animal care experience. Supervisory experience preferred.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Skills

• Demonstrated proficiency (didactic and practical) for core DLAR SOPs.
• Ability to lift and move 50lbs. on a regular basis and stand for long periods of time.
• Customer-focused attitude and enjoys working with similarly dedicated persons in a team fashion within a high-energy research environment.
• Ability to work independently and supervise the work of others.
• Ability to make decisions regarding daily facility operations and to address unusual situations that arise within the animal research facilities.
• Ability to clearly, respectfully, and timely correspond with researchers in writing and orally in a manner that is customer focused while assuring regulatory compliance.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Overtime
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Animal husbandry: 5 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• AALAS Laboratory Animal Technician Certification (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Durham, NC 27710 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Durham, NC 27710: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person