Vivarium Manager

Summary:

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Office of Research & Innovation, Division of Animal Resources invites applicants to apply for an outstanding opportunity to join our team as a Vivarium Manager. The Vivarium Manager is a member of the Division of Animal Resources (DAR) team and provides direct support to the veterinarians, principal investigators, and research staff in animal research. This position is a Monday-Friday position, some weekend and holiday work are required.

Vivarium Manager duties include:

• Responsible for the day- to -day management of a rodent facility in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) so as to minimize the chances of colony infections.
• Develop and revise animal facility SOPs in conjunction with the Assistant Director - Operations. Ensure adherence to SOPs, quality assurance guidelines and protocols.
• Ensure animals are cared for and maintained in accordance with the Animal Welfare Regulations, U.S. Public Health Service Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
• Direct daily activities of animal care technicians ensuring that husbandry tasks are completed correctly and in a timely fashion. This includes receiving animals, feeding and watering, sanitation and cleaning, handling and restraint, health surveillance, equipment maintenance, supply inventories/ordering.
• Ensure appropriate staff technical training, supervision and evaluation.
• Communicate needs for facility equipment, logistical support and management supervisors.
• Utilizing VCU procurement procedures, verify that adequate supplies of expendables are available at all times to support the barrier husbandry operations and the maintenance of facilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Hiring Standards:

• Significant experience working in an animal care facility.
• Able to direct technicians and investigational staff in the
  proper techniques required to maintain disease free rodent colonies.
• Able to communicate with their staff, investigators and their supervisors effectively both orally and in written fashion.
• Proficient in the use of Windows based PC’s - especially in Word, Excel and email clients.

Preferred Hiring Standards:

• Experience managing an animal facility.
• Some level of post- secondary education in related field is strongly preferred.
• Experience in rodent facilities management, bio-hazard containment to include ABSL2 operations, data management and personnel management.
• Experience with facility start up - a plus.
• Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science as a Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG).
  

Typical Licensure:

• Certification by the American Association for Laboratory
• Animal Science as a Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG)

Typical Physical and Cognitive Requirements:

• Light Lifting (<20>
• Moderate Lifting (20-50 lbs): Marginal
• Heavy Lifting (>50 lbs): N/A
• Pushing/Pulling: Essential
• Standing: Marginal
• Sitting: Marginal
• Repetitive Motion: Marginal
• Walking: Essential
• Climbing: Marginal
• Reaching: Essential
• Bending: Essential