Animal Care Facility Supervisor

Harvard University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard University seeks an Animal Care Facility Supervisor for the Harvard Center for Comparative Medicine (HCCM) to ensure compliant animal care and cage wash operations. You will supervise staff, coordinate with veterinary and safety teams, and uphold SOPs in a fast-paced, essential role.

The role demands leadership, robust organizational skills, and the ability to communicate with faculty and staff at multiple levels, with on-call duties and a strong commitment to safety.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years’ work experience in animal care facilities management.
• Minimum of 1 year in a supervisory role.
• Experience working with rodents.
• Specialized education beyond high school may count toward work experience.
• LATg certification is preferred/eligible.

Responsibilities

• Manage HCCM Animal Facility Staff to ensure outstanding animal care and safe operations.
• Oversee personnel management including performance and onboarding.
• Establish work assignments, monitor workflow, and maintain inventory of supplies.
• Provide customer service to researchers for animal husbandry and facility access.
• Develop and review SOPs for animal care and cage wash operations.
• Provide training to Animal Facility Staff on responsibilities and procedures.
• Develop records for animal care, census, equipment, and attendance.
• Coordinate with EH&S for a safe work environment.
• Oversee assigned HCCM satellite areas and coordinate with Veterinary Staff.
• Coordinate animal facility repairs and renovations with managers.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Animal care facilities management

Rodent handling

Interpersonal communication

Software proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Life Science

LATg certification (eligible)

Job description

• Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
• Salary Grade: 056
• FLSA Status: Exempt

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard Medical School?

Harvard Medical School's mission is to nurture a diverse, inclusive community dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving health and well-being for all through excellence in teaching and learning, discovery and scholarship, and service and leadership.

You’ll be at the heart of biomedical discovery, education, and innovation, working alongside world-renowned faculty and a community dedicated to improving human health. This is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to shape the future of medicine.

Job Description

The Animal Care Facility Supervisor will ensure that assigned Harvard Center for Comparative Medicine (HCCM) facilities and personnel are compliant with Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, and the standards set forth in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Public Health Service Policy, and AAALAC International. The Animal Care Facility Supervisor reports to the Senior Manager of Animal Care Operations, and collaborates with HCCM colleagues to develop, implement, and confirm adherence to standard operating procedures for animal care and cage wash operations.

The Animal Care Facility Supervisor directly supervises the Animal Care Assistant Supervisor and/or Cage Wash Assistant Supervisor assigned to their facility; indirect reports include roughly 5-10 Animal Care and Cage Wash Technicians. This position requires communicating effectively at a variety of levels ranging from tenured faculty, senior administrative staff, and clinical veterinarians to animal care and cage wash staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage HCCM Animal Facility Staff to ensure outstanding animal care, safe and efficient operations, and a collaborative work environment.
• Under the guidance of the Senior Manager of Animal Care Operations, oversee personnel management for Animal Facility Staff, including performance management, corrective and disciplinary action, and involvement in the new hire selection process and onboarding.
• Work with the Assistant Supervisor(s) to establish work assignments, monitor workflow, and maintain adequate inventory of animal feed, bedding, enrichment, and other facility-related supplies.
• Provide customer service to researchers to support their research needs as they relate to animal husbandry, supply requests, facility orientation and access, space needs, etc.
• Assist in the development, review, and implementation of SOPs as relating to animal care and cage wash operations.
• Provide training to Animal Facility Staff to ensure proficiency in areas of responsibility and adherence to standard operating procedures.
• Develop and maintain records and reports for multiple areas of responsibility, including animal husbandry, animal census, equipment validation, equipment inventories, and attendance.
• In collaboration with the Senior Manager of Animal Care Operations, work with Environmental Health and Safety staff to ensure a safe work environment and promote a culture of safety.
• Provide oversight to assigned HCCM satellite areas.
• Work closely with HCCM Veterinary Staff and Procurement to coordinate the movement of animals and assist with colony health surveillance.
• Oversee and coordinate animal facility repairs and renovations in collaboration with the Senior Manager of Animal Care Operations and Facility Support Manager, building manager, project managers, and others to ensure minimal impact to HCCM personnel, operations, research colonies, and ongoing studies.
• On-call responsibility for designated facility 24/7 to help manage emergencies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds and push/pull 300 pounds, routinely.
• Must be able to walk or stand for a full 7-hour shift.
• Must be able to perform in an environment with exposure to animals, animal dander, animal byproducts and bedding materials for prolonged periods of time.
• Must be able to wear appropriate respiratory personal protective equipment, i.e., N95 mask, PAPR, etc.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• A minimum of 4 years’ work experience in animal care facilities management with an increasing level of responsibility in work history.
• Minimum of 1 year in a supervisory role.
• Experience working with rodents required.
• Specialized education beyond high school may count toward work experience.
• Must be eligible for LATg certification.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• A Bachelor’s degree with a concentration in Life Science (animal, biological or physical sciences) or equivalent experience preferred.
• LATg certification preferred.
• Experience working in an ABSL-2 facility and/or with non-human primates preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task required.
• Successful candidate will be self-motivated and able to work independently making sound judgments and using discretion with confidential information.
• Must be proficient in a variety of software programs (word processing, spreadsheet and/or database applications).
• The successful candidate must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written).

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hrs. per week | Monday - Friday | 7:30 am - 3:30 pm.This position is considered to be essential personnel for the Harvard Center for Comparative Medicine. Weekend and holiday work may be required as well as attendance during school closures (due to inclement weather and/or other emergencies).Weekend and holiday work may be required on a rotating schedule.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Criminal, Pre-Placement Medical Evaluation
• Staying Informed About Your Application: Due to the high volume of applications, we may not always be able to reach out right away, but you can track your status anytime through the Careers@Harvard portal.

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 056. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination . We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.