Animal Care Supervisor

Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 41,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Animal Care Supervisor to lead the daily operations of their animal facilities. This role involves ensuring compliance with animal welfare standards, managing a dedicated team, and overseeing the training and development of staff. The ideal candidate will possess strong supervisory skills, effective communication abilities, and a commitment to animal welfare. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research and teaching while fostering a supportive environment for both staff and animals. If you are passionate about animal care and ready to make a difference, this role could be the perfect fit for you.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in an animal research facility.
• Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (ALAT) required.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily operations of animal facilities ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Hire, train, and evaluate performance of animal care staff.

Skills

Supervisory skills

Effective verbal and written communication

Problem-solving skills

Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office

Knowledge of personnel management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

B.S. or A.A. degree in animal science

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Research Animal Resources is seeking an Animal Care Supervisor to direct the daily operation of the animal facilities and associated support areas according to standard operating procedures and guidelines. Reporting directly to the Animal Care Manager, the position promotes animal welfare and ensures a quality animal care service that supports research and teaching at Johns Hopkins University. The position directs the activities of a unit, typically assigned by building and animal species, and consisting of two or more full-time animal care staff. The position has the authority and is expected to be involved in recruitment, performance evaluation, and corrective action, including discipline and termination recommendations in consultation with leadership and HR.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains the animal facility, cage wash area, and loading dock to meet the standards of the Animal Welfare Act, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and other state, federal and local animal welfare laws and regulations.
• Hires, evaluates performance, and takes corrective action for HR-related issues of animal care staff
• Conducts on-the-job training and orientation for new animal care staff in concert with training and compliance staff. Participates in training sessions both as a student and teacher.
• Ensures proper and adequate husbandry care of animals by animal care staff including environmental conditions
• Plans and coordinates the activities of the animal care staff. Schedules the unit's work after consulting with the Animal Care Manager and takes responsibility for its completion.
• Develops and implements schedules for equipment maintenance, cage changing and sanitizing equipment, rooms, and corridors.
• Orders feed, bedding and supplies, and maintains sufficient inventory
• Helps oversee facility maintenance, renovations, and planning
• Prepares the unit for USDA, IACUC inspections, and AAALAC site visits
• Supports the development and creation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other related documents with direction from the Animal Care Manager, Director of Laboratory Animal Management, and veterinarians.
• Implements SOPs and other guidelines by communicating to and training animal care staff. Takes corrective action for non-compliance.
• Assists with the animal census records by scanning animal cage cards on a monthly basis.
• Trains team leads and assist when needed.
• Monitors the health status of research animals and arranges for veterinary care, if needed.
• Corresponds with JHU investigators, research staff, and facilities.
• Schedules weekly staff meetings and attends departmental meetings
• Suggests changes to improve the efficiency and quality of animal care, cage wash and the loading dock. Identifies problems and develops and implements solutions.
• Assists in the assignment of animal housing and procedure rooms based on researcher’s needs
• Completes all required JHU training(s)
• Has knowledge of animal cage wash, animal husbandry, and the loading dock and the ability to perform the duties of all staff working under their supervision
• Keeps updated on changes in operations and regulatory landscape
• Able to foster relationships between various stakeholders in the animal care and use program
• Must be able to work during emergencies, unexpected incidents, and disasters.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or graduation equivalent.
• Two-year’s experience in an animal research facility

• Must be able to work a flexible schedule including rotating weekends and holidays.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond HS Diploma/Graduation Equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Technical Qualifications or Specialized Certifications:

• Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician level (ALAT) required

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Supervisory skills, leadership ability, knowledge of personnel management and animal facility operation.
• Must have effective verbal and written communication skills
• Good communication and problem-solving skills.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams)
• Ability to work under environmental conditions that could require the use of safety equipment.
• Ability to lift, carry or otherwise move and position objects and materials weighing up to 50 lbs.

Preferred Qualifications

• B.S. or A.A. degree or college credits in animal science.
• Certification at the Laboratory Animal Technician level (LAT) is preferred.

Classified Title: Animal Care Supervisor
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/03/CE
Starting Salary Range: $41,080 - $73,528 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F, Must be able to work a flexible schedule including rotating weekends and holidays
FLSA Status:Exempt
Location:School of Medicine Campus
Department name: Research Animal Resources
Personnel area: University Administration