Animal Care and Operations Supervisor

University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine's Division of Laboratory Animal Resources seeks an Animal Care and Operations Supervisor to oversee daily animal husbandry operations and staff. The role requires coordinating with DLAR and university partners to ensure smooth animal care and welfare.

The candidate will supervise personnel, manage facility and equipment operations, support researchers, and promote collaborative relationships across DLAR and campus departments.

Qualifications

• Two years of lab animal experience with one year in a supervisory capacity.
• Ability to follow DLAR SOPs and university policies.
• Strong written and verbal communication and time management skills.
• Willingness to work some weekends and holidays; pass background checks.

Responsibilities

• Supervise personnel, assess labor needs, assign work, and mentor staff.
• Manage facility and equipment operations, preventive maintenance, and vendor coordination.
• Provide support to researchers to ensure study perimeters are met.
• Promote animal welfare and maintain relationships with DLAR and university departments.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Laboratory animal care

Verbal communication

Written communication

Time management

CAMS

Microsoft Office

Zoom

Team-building

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

CAMS

PRISM

Job description

Job Description - Animal Care and Operations Supervisor (26005930)

Animal Care and Operations Supervisor

The Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) Animal Care and Operations Supervisor will be responsible for managing daily operations and staff involved with the provision of animal husbandry and care.

The candidate will

• Supervise personnel including assessing and recruiting for labor needs, creating work assignments, managing employee performance and training serving as a mentor, and facilitating professional development;
• Manage facility and equipment operations including assessing supply and capital needs, preventive maintenance schedules, facility projects, space demands and vendor coordination;
• Provide support and services to researchers and their teams to ensure study perimeters are met;
• Establish and maintain collaborative, productive working relationships with immediate staff, as well as, various DLAR (vet services, administration) and University (IACUC, EHS) departments • Promote animal welfare and well-being;
• Ensure that the daily operations and activities of the assigned animal facility are accomplished in accordance with DLAR guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures, University policies, federal regulations, and industry standards and guidelines.

A successful candidate must have two years of lab animal experience with one year in a supervisory capacity; consistently demonstrate professional verbal, written, and interpersonal skills; execute effective time and process management; possess positive customer service and team-building skills; be proficient with technology in order to use common applications (e.g. email, Microsoft Office, Zoom) and to learn CAMS (DLAR business application software); be available to work occasional weekends and holidays; stand for extended periods of time; lift 50 pounds; push/pull heavy equipment and pass the mandatory criminal and social background checks.

Preferred candidate will have completed criteria in the DLAR Career Development Program. Candidates working in the Rangos Research Building at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh will need to obtain Child Protection Clearances. Vaccinations and/or TB testing may be required.

Job Summary

Supervises team and manages day-to-day animal care operations. Ensures proper functioning and maintenance of equipment. Directs the enrichment and social animal housing programs at assigned facility. Maintains records, oversees billing, and ensures compliance with processes, practices, and regulations.

Essential Functions

The employee must be able to:

• read, understand, and follow DLAR and other institutional guidance documents (SOPs, policies), including IACUC approved animal protocols when applicable
• follow written and verbal instructions
• demonstrate sufficient fine motor skill to manipulate animals and equipment; negotiate around equipment within close quarters; move between rooms and workspaces
• have sufficient visual acuity to recognize and identify normal and abnormal species-specific clinical appearances and behavior patterns, safely handle and restrain the animal species, and operate and maintain facility equipment and supplies utilized in the provision of animal husbandry and care and in the cash wash areas
• have sufficient audible acuity to hear equipment alarms and other warnings
• wear facility specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required by the job duties based on risk assessment from EH&S
• work directly with live or dead animals and clean or soiled bedding and caging with reasonable accommodations if necessary
• accurately and legibly document written information in English in a timely manner, including electronic formats and applications (e.g., PRISM, CAMS);
• effective written and verbal communication in English, including the use of email
• receive vaccinations and health assessments, including TB testing, required to work in some animal holding or procedure areas in accordance with DLAR and/or EH&S policies and practices
• successfully enroll in University of Pittsburgh Animal Exposure Surveillance Program (AESP) and other medical surveillance/immunization programs as dictated by current research activities

Physical Effort

The employee must be able to:

• stand for extended periods of time throughout the majority of the workday.
• lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds including but not limited to caging and equipment, bags or boxes of animal diet and animal bedding, and operate flatbed hand trucks or pallet jacks to move heavier objects or weights exceeding 50 pounds.
• perform repetitive motion tasks that involve pushing, pulling, reaching, and/or bending.
• physically handle and restrain a variety of small and large laboratory animals.
• negotiage and navigate around animal facility caging, equipment, and the physical plant.

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.

Assignment Category Full-time regular

Job Classification Staff.Supervisor - Animal Care

Job Family Research

Job Sub-Family Animal Research

Campus Pittsburgh

Minimum Education Level Required Bachelor's Degree

Minimum Years of Experience Required 2

Will this position accept substitution in lieu of education or experience? Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.

Additional details about Required Licensure/Certification Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) at the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) level. External candidate must achieve within 12 months of start date.

Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; some weekends and holidays

Work Arrangement On-Campus: Teams that work on campus, in an office, or in a lab.

Hiring Range Commensurate with experience.

Relocation Offered No

Visa Sponsorship Provided No

Background Check For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check

Child Protection Clearances The following PA Act 153 clearances and background checks are required prior to commencement of employment and as a condition of continued employment: PA State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI Criminal Record Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance.

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.