Animal Care Technician Group Leader

Simon Fraser University; Burnaby; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Simon Fraser University seeks a Lead Animal Care Technician to oversee animal care operations, ensuring compliance with guidelines and providing technical support. The ideal candidate will have RLAT certification, extensive experience in lab animal care, and strong communication skills. This role involves training staff and collaborating with researchers to meet their needs.

Benefits

3 weeks vacation

Hybrid-work program

Employer paid pension plan

On-campus tuition waiver

Funding for professional development

Qualifications

• At least RLAT certification and CALAS membership required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience working with lab animals.
• Proficiency in injections, blood collections, and anaesthesia.

Responsibilities

• Acts as the group Lead for departmental Animal Care Technicians.
• Monitors facility and animal conditions for compliance.
• Responsible for training new lab personnel.

Skills

Communication

Animal Care

Technical Procedures

Education

High school graduation

Two years of post-secondary education in animal health technology

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Who We Are

Simon Fraser University is a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Our purpose – the essence of SFU – is to create and connect knowledge, learning and community for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. We are committed to fostering excellence, innovation, belonging and community in all that we do.

Animal Care Services (ACS) at SFU is committed to providing faculty, staff and students with high quality, cost-effective research and teaching animal resources. In addition to suitable housing facilities and animal husbandry services for animals used in biomedical research, ACS provides veterinary services, personnel training and expertise in common laboratory methodologies, anaesthesia and surgical techniques for rodents, birds and fish. The ACS veterinary staff cares for all animals housed on campus, every day of the week, including holidays.

About the Role

Acts as the group Lead for departmental Animal Care Technicians. The role monitors and maintains the facility and animal conditions to ensure they are in compliance with the guidelines, policies and regulations of the Canadian Council on Animal Care; reports any problems to the supervisor, and aids in their treatment/resolution. Provides skilled technical services and assistance to staff, researchers and the Clinical Veterinarian. Responsible for orientation and training of new lab personnel and staff to ACS policies and procedures. In collaboration with the supervisor, the role corresponds and meets with Principal Investigators to address their needs, fulfill requests for technical procedure assistance and schedules study timelines. Under the direction of, and in conjunction with, the supervisor and Clinical Veterinarian, establishes and maintains an annual Health Surveillance Program for all rodent species housed at the Animal Resources Centre (ARC).

The ideal candidate will have at least RLAT certification (Registered Laboratory Animal Technician) and CALAS membership (Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science), supplemented by a minimum 3 years of experience working in research involving lab animals. Proficiency in various technical procedures required in animal base research studies including injections, blood collections, anaesthesia, gavage etc. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. The ability to effectively share knowledge through training and orientation with new lab members, students and staff is also instrumental to the success of this role.

Full Job Description

Qualifications

High school graduation and two years of post-secondary education in animal health technology or formal program equivalent. Successful completion of one of the following Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science (CALAS) certification exams: RLAT (Registered Laboratory Animal Technician), RMLAT (Registered Master Laboratory Animal Technician), or ability to complete within two years. 6 years of minimum experience. An equivalent combination of formal education, certificate/program of study and experience is acceptable.

• Excellent theoretical and practical knowledge of the current techniques and procedures, including husbandry and common lab methodologies used in animal science.
• Thorough knowledge of the procedures involved in animal colony management.
• Thorough knowledge of anaesthetics agents, administration and emergency care as well as good surgical and aseptic techniques.
  

What We Offer

At SFU, our goal is to ensure our people are valued and supported by promoting a healthy work-life balance, professional growth and development, as well as a safe and respectful workplace. We offer continuing employees who belong in the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE Local 3338):

• 3 weeks’ vacation (prorated for the first year)*
• Hybrid-work program for eligible positions
• Employer paid defined benefitpension plan
• On-campus tuition waiver for employees and their immediate family members*
• Funding for professional development expenses*
• And more! View our benefits brochure

*Prorated for part-time employees

Additional Information

For external candidates, the starting salary is the first step of the salary range.

Please include your cover letter and resume in one attachment.

SFU is an equity employer and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, Indigenous Peoples, visible minorities, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the university.

We are committed to ensuring that the application and interview process is accessible to all applicants. If you require any assistance or accommodations, please contact [e-mail].