What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal Research Supervisor position at Tulane University?
Job Description
Supervises the daily operation of an animal care facility or multiple small facilities. Assists investigative and veterinary staff. Observes animals for signs of illness, trauma, or social instability and reports abnormalities to the appropriate veterinary staff. Monitors the administration of special diets and medication. Supervises the maintenance of research animals, their cages, and facilities. Ensures that the facility complies with federal animal and research regulations. Maintains daily records pertaining to animal care. Complies with OSHA standards and other applicable federal and state regulations when working with hazardous chemicals, materials, animals and power equipment. Monitors environmental conditions in animal housing facilities and inspects the condition of facilities and equipment for cleanliness and proper operation. Collects medical specimens. Trains and supervises animal care staff. Responsible for providing employee performance evaluations for supervised animal care staff. Provides input for management of Animal Resources (staffing and practices). May be required to carry a cellphone and be on after-hours call. Performs related responsibilities as required. Weekend work and overtime hours are a requirement of this position. Responsible for assessing and maintaining security of animals in their primary enclosure. May be designated as essential personnel during a storm/natural disaster. If required to work during a closure, employee must provide accurate and current contact information and is responsible for maintaining communication with TNBRC. Failure to report to work when requested by supervisor or manager will result in disciplinary action as outlined by the Staff Handbook.
Failure to meet established performance standards in the performance of the job duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description (or as otherwise assigned); and/or failure to interact courteously and tactfully with managers, co-workers, customers and/or vendors such that productivity or departmental morale suffers will result in management’s taking the appropriate disciplinary action as outlined in the Staff Handbook.
Employee attendance must meet established work schedules. Faithfulness in coming to work, being on time, planning absences in advance when possible, and calling in when unavoidably detained from reporting for work is an essential requirement of the job.
Responsibilities
Supervises the daily operation of an animal care facility or multiple small facilities. Assists investigative and veterinary staff. Observes animals for signs of illness, trauma, or social instability and reports abnormalities to the appropriate veterinary staff. Monitors the administration of special diets and medication. Supervises the maintenance of research animals, their cages, and facilities. Ensures that the facility complies with federal animal and research regulations. Maintains daily records pertaining to animal care. Complies with OSHA standards and other applicable federal and state regulations when working with hazardous chemicals, materials, animals and power equipment. Monitors environmental conditions in animal housing facilities and inspects the condition of facilities and equipment for cleanliness and proper operation. Collects medical specimens. Trains and supervises animal care staff. Responsible for providing employee performance evaluations for supervised animal care staff. Provides input for management of Animal Resources (staffing and practices). May be required to carry a cellphone and be on after-hours call. Performs related responsibilities as required. Weekend work and overtime hours are a requirement of this position. Responsible for assessing and maintaining security of animals in their primary enclosure. May be designated as essential personnel during a storm/natural disaster. If required to work during a closure, employee must provide accurate and current contact information and is responsible for maintaining communication with TNBRC. Failure to report to work when requested by supervisor or manager will result in disciplinary action as outlined by the Staff Handbook.
Failure to meet established performance standards in the performance of the job duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description (or as otherwise assigned); and/or failure to interact courteously and tactfully with managers, co-workers, customers and/or vendors such that productivity or departmental morale suffers will result in management’s taking the appropriate disciplinary action as outlined in the Staff Handbook.
Employee attendance must meet established work schedules. Faithfulness in coming to work, being on time, planning absences in advance when possible, and calling in when unavoidably detained from reporting for work is an essential requirement of the job.
Responsibilities
- Proven ability to follow oral and written instructions
- Must have basic computer skills
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines
- Must have the ability to work with nonhuman primates and other laboratory animal species without jeopardizing the health of said nonhuman primates and other laboratory animal species.
- The TNBRC maintains biosafety level 3 facilities and performs work on diverse infectious agents many of which can cause serious disease in humans if standard operating procedures, including use of appropriate personal protective equipment, are not followed. Depending on agent-specific risk assessments, individuals may be offered, or in some cases required to have vaccinations against the relevant agents.
- If this position is assigned to work in ABSL3 containment areas, there will be additional minimum requirements including some or all of the following:
- Must pass a US Department of Justice Security Risk Assessment for access to select biological agents and toxins.
- Ability to perform job duties while wearing respiratory protection.
- Must participate in drug and alcohol program and be in compliance with TNBRC drug and alcohol policy
- High School Diploma or equivalent and six years of animal husbandry or related animal care experience required
- Bachelor’s Degree in a biological science and two years of animal husbandry or related animal care experience required
- Graduation from a two-year veterinary technician program and two years of experience required
- Five years of animal experience and certification as an AALAS Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATg) required.
- Specific precautions against and/or immunization against potentially hazardous agents are required.
- Prior experience leading, supervising or managing a team.