Psychology Animal Research Facility Manager

Position Summary

The Psychology Department is accepting applications for a Manager of the Psychology Animal Research Facility (ARF). The ARF Manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of the department’s animal research facility ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and guidelines in all animal research laboratories within area of responsibility.

Educates, guides, and trains others in the proper care, treatment, and use of animals in research.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Manages the laboratory animal program to include development and implementation of animal biotechnical practices and care procedures to comply with local, state, and federal animal care regulations and guidelines and sustains a written program and practices that support an application for accreditation by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC).

2. Provides advice and assistance to senior management in the planning implementation and evaluation of modifications to existing operations, systems, and procedures.

3. Supervises and assists the technical staff, providing care of research animals and technical assistance to research laboratories;

allocates work, provides training and guidance, resolves personnel problems, and participates in hiring, performance evaluation, and disciplinary decisions.

4. Plans and oversees the daily operations in animal research technology resources (biocontainment, genetic breeding models, imaging, behavior testing, and metabolism testing) that involve frequent inspections, environmental monitoring, equipment troubleshooting, operator maintenance, and repair and consultation on space and equipment usage.

5. Maintain and oversee animal and environmental quality assurance.

6. Under the direction of a veterinarian, formulates medications to concentrations suitable for small laboratory animals.

Administers medications and treatments to animals; prepares animals for surgery; performs surgery and euthanasia.

7. Conducts and oversees technical services to include inoculations, euthanasia and collections of tissues or blood samples for research analysis.

8. Maintains a broad scope of laboratory animal programmatic records to include animal health, environmental quality, equipment inventory and maintenance, procurement, and billing (technical service, census, veterinary supplies and pharmaceuticals).

9. Oversees the purchase of large equipment, feed, animal health supplies, and animals; interacts with vendors, prepares requests for proposals, and initiates purchase orders.

10. Teaches small animal biotechnology methods to include handling, restraint, dosing, breeding management, surgery, anesthesia, euthanasia, and record keeping to faculty, staff and students.

11. Represents the department when lecturing on animal husbandry, environmental issues related to animals, and careers in animal sciences to community organizations and schools.

12. Assists in the annual budget planning process and regularly monitors expenditures and tracks census by housing type and make purchases for the ARF.

13. Serves as a member of various pertinent local and national committees and organizations.

14. Serve as a building coordinator for Logan Hall ARF and PCNC (chemical inventory and prox card security clearances).

15. Maintain chemical supply inventory and reporting. Oversees and maintains all chemical inventories for the facility; trains facility personnel in the proper use and storage of chemicals and ensures adherence to all appropriate safety protocols and procedures associated with the use and disposal of chemicals and bio-hazardous materials.

16. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned including (but not limited to) : being on call out outside of business hours for building emergencies and working weekends and University holidays.

Minimum Job Requirements (cannot be changed)

• Successful completion of at least 60 college-level credit hours; at least 8 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Ability to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• Knowledge of animal husbandry requirements, methods, and techniques.
• Employee development and performance management skills.
• Ability to prepare bids, requests for quotes, and proposals in compliance with University business policies and the New Mexico procurement code.
• Knowledge of alternative sources for animal research stock and animal research / husbandry equipment and supplies.
• Knowledge of the proper installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of animal research equipment.
• Ability to set up, organize, and coordinate the operations of a large, complex animal resource facility.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and / or infection control standards.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Skill in budget preparation and fiscal management.
• Ability to develop and maintain husbandry, safety, and infection control written programs and operating, procedures.
• Ability to formulate and administer medications and treatments to laboratory animals according to prescribed protocol.
• Ability to perform surgical procedures on animals according to research protocol.
• Ability to develop and present educational programs and / or workshops.

Conditions of Employment

Possession of a valid New Mexico driver's license is a requirement for this job.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED; at least 10 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working in the field of Psychology research.
• Previous experience with TOPAZ
• Ability to work holidays and weekends is required for this position
• Ability to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments as well as development and performance management skills.
• Knowledge of animal husbandry requirements, methods, and techniques.
• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and / or infection control standards.
• AALAS and LATG Certified
• Chemical safety and handling, and disposal
• Ability to prepare bids, requests for quotes, and proposals in compliance with University business policies and the New Mexico procurement code.
• Experience with purchasing of animal facility products, budget preparation and fiscal management as well as the ability to acquire a UNM P-Card
• Knowledge of the proper installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of animal research equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing as measured by the cover letter.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to develop and maintain husbandry, safety, and infection control written programs and operating, procedures.
• Ability to formulate and administer medications and treatments to laboratory animals according to prescribed protocol.
• Ability to perform surgical procedures on animals according to research protocol.
• Ability to develop and present educational programs and / or workshops.
• Ability to extract, collect, and process animal tissue and blood samples.
• Knowledge of rodent genetic nomenclature, phenotypes, and breeding paradigms.
• Knowledge of laboratory animal care and research relevant regulations, policies and accreditation standards.
• Ability to teach small animal research and husbandry biotechnology methods.

Additional Requirements

• Moderate physical effort. Requires moderate lifting, handling, pushing, or moving objects up to 35 lbs. Standing / walking may occur more than 50% of time.
• Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.
• Work may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and / or loud noises.
• The University of New Mexico provides all training required by OSHA to ensure employee safety.
• Successful candidate must submit to a pre-placement medical clearance through Employee Occupational Health Services. CampusMain - Albuquerque, NM DepartmentPsychology Department (765A) Employment TypeStaff Staff TypeRegular - Full-Time Term End Date StatusExempt PayMonthly : $3955.

47 - $5416.67 (final salary depending on experience) Benefits EligibleThis is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.

In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the home page for a more information.