Animal Care Specialist - 502551 at University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia

Job Description:

SUMMARY:


The animal care specialist oversees the operations of our Vivarium, providing and coordinating routine care for animals maintained for research and teaching purposes and regulated by University's Institutional Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The specialist will also oversee the outdoor Research Pavilion whenever it houses regulated animals. The core responsibilities of this role are to ensure compliance with university, state and federal regulations, monitor and provide care for the animals, maintain animal enclosures and rooms, facility common spaces, and lab equipment. The specialist also maintains and conducts a daily inventory of animals, observes and monitors their general health, and reports and records abnormalities. They may assist in performing euthanasia and perform other special diagnostic tests.


RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversees Vivarium operations and workflow, to include daily upkeep and maintenance of the animal rooms and common spaces, coordination of custodial and maintenance projects, and record keeping (e.g., inventory, supply orders, maintenance schedules, care logsheets, and other duties in support of Gottwald Science Center operations)
• Works with PIs and students to see to the care, feeding, and maintenance of animals used for research and teaching, for animals kept in our Vivarium and our outdoor animal enclosures.
• Changes and cleans animal cages, tanks, and enclosures; coordinates, trains, and supervises student employees who assist in these duties.
• Manages routine maintenance, parts replacement, and repair of animal housing systems, cages, and associated equipment.
• Conducts periodic testing to monitor the effectiveness of cleaning to sanitize animal cages and tanks for aquatic animals.
• Participates in all UR IACUC meetings, semi-annual inspections as required by NIH-OLAW, and annual inspections by USDA-APHIS.
• Provides operational support to the IACUC Chair and coordinates communication with other compliance offices on campus, as needed.
• Conducts IACUC specialized tasks in support of sponsored research and veterinary requirements.
• Conducts congruency reviews between federal grants and IACUC protocols and submit verifications to granting agencies, as needed.
• Facilitates post-approval monitoring of animal care and use for active protocols in collaboration with the attending veterinarian.
• Collaborates with environmental health & safety personnel to ensure that the use and care of animals at the University of Richmond comply with all relevant safety regulations and environmental standards.
• Manages procurement, inventory, and storage of supplies to keep the animals fed and housed in properly sanitized conditions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of animal care practices as outlined by the federal Animal Welfare Act and The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Familiarity with the reporting requirements of NIH-OLAW and USDA-APHIS.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, or as part of a team as circumstances require.
• Computer proficiency in standard office applications such as MS Office Suite.
• Ability to wear personal protection equipment (PPE) appropriate for the species, animal housing conditions, or work area.
• No known allergies to animals.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• GED required, Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) Certification by American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) or ability to obtain such certifications OR other relevant professional certifications within one year of hiring.

WORK HOURS:

• Full-time, non-exempt position
• Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; 7.75 hrs./day; 38.75 hrs./week; periodic weekend and holiday hours, as needed on a rotating basis

SALARY STRUCTURE:


Pay Grade 4 (Hiring Range $18.18 to $22.72 per hour)


ABOUT UR:

At the University of Richmond, we're creative, inclusive, and determined. We're Spiders, and our mission is to create positive change in the UR community and beyond. Located minutes from downtown Richmond, Virginia, the University of Richmond (www.richmond.edu) blends the intimacy of a small college with exceptional academic, research, and cultural opportunities usually found only at large institutions. There's only one place like Richmond.

UR is committed to developing a diverse faculty, staff and student body, and to modeling an inclusive campus community which values the expression of differences in ways that promote excellence in teaching, learning, personal development and institutional success. In keeping with this commitment, our academic community welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and candidates who support diversity. EOE Apply Now