Animal Facility Manager

The Animal Facility Manager maintains facility oversight of the medical grade Defined Pathogen Free (DPF) herd population for the eGenesis site and the adjacent Source Animal Facility (SAF). Additionally, this individual will manage personnel within the animal husbandry team on site.  The Facility Manager will work closely with the Attending Veterinarian, donor production team, quality assurance, and facility operations teams to ensure all facility and staffing needs are met in order to provide excellent animal care and optimized donor production. Adherence to strict biosecurity practices is a must.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• • Management of animal husbandry staff (6-8 direct reports).  Provide personnel management including goal setting, performance reviews, conflict resolution, scheduling and training documentation oversight.
  • Herd Management: Oversight of herd breeding program records and allocation of animals from this pool for assisted reproductive technology programs; Scheduling and implementation of synchronization protocols to ensure animals are ready for intended surgical use; Familiarity with animal ID and record systems
  • Animal Care Program Leadership: Work in close partnership with facility personnel to ensure basic eGenesis program facility and husbandry needs are met
  • Manage any needed changes in facility use in collaboration with facility personnel including construction, modification, or process improvements.
  • Collaborate with other internal eGenesis stakeholders (Business Development, Finance, Quality Assurance, Operations, Information Technology) to achieve program goals.
  • Familiarity with IACUC procedures, potential to serve as committee alternate, and responsible for oversight of any needed inspection finding corrective actions.
  • Facilitate staff development in area of laboratory animal science
  • Draft, review, and revise SOPs relevant to the operation of the facility.
  • Participate in leadership meetings with Cambridge and Wisconsin sites.
  • Liaise with quality assurance and facilities operations groups to ensure all equipment within the GMP animal facility receives appropriate preventative maintenance and upkeep.
  • Ensure compliance with company biosecurity practices to safeguard health of all animals produced by eGenesis. Work in collaboration with veterinarians to identify potential biosecurity and husbandry process improvements in the SAF and DPF areas. Promote and adhere to safety in the workplace. Report unsafe acts and conditions and ensure equipment is maintained correctly. Report all accidents/incidents. Inspect work area and take remedial action to minimize or eliminate hazards: complete required training assignments, forms, and other paperwork.
  • Promote and adhere to the eGenesis animal welfare policies. Follow all applicable regulatory requirements (USDA, FDA, OLAW) regarding animal welfare and ensure humane care according to the Guide for the care and use of Laboratory Animals and the Animal Welfare Act.
  • Perform other duties and assume additional responsibilities as assigned.
  • Tasks are completed during regular business hours Monday-Friday. As essential personnel, occasional animal work outside of normal business hours or availability for emergency response may be required but very limited.
  • Support from leadership to enroll in continued education opportunities to maintain certifications, attend seminars and career development.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• • Bachelor’s degree in biology, animal science, or related field.
  • AALAS Certified Manager of Animal Resources (CMAR) registration, or interested in becoming certified
  • 10+ years of experience working with animals in a research environment
  • Prior lab animal facility experience should include a significant portion of non-rodent experience.
  • Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritize work
  • Attention to detail and problem-solving skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task
  • Interpersonal skills necessary to manage others
  • Background with agricultural/livestock species (preferred)
  • GLP or GMP experience (preferred)
  • 5+ years of management experience (preferred)

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit, stand, walk, reach with hands or arms, lift files and operate a computer.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust to focus. The employee frequently is required to lift laboratory supplies and equipment within the daily routine. Occasionally the employee may be required to handle and work with large animals.

This job operates in multiple environments, including office, laboratory, surgery, necropsy, and animal husbandry environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copy machines, filing cabinets, and fax machines.  This job may require the use of hazardous chemicals, conduct sample collection on livestock and operate in a dusty environment.