Animal Care Supervisor I

University of Kentucky; Lexington (KY); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kentucky is seeking a Supervisory Animal Husbandry professional to oversee daily cage wash and husbandry activities, ensuring coverage and accuracy across operations. You will enforce DLAR SOPs and safety guidelines, supporting other departments as needed.

The role requires adherence to university policies, providing holiday and weekend coverage, and maintaining orderly procurement and storage of supplies while supervising staff and ensuring compliance with regulations.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in relevant field required.
• AALAS LATg certification preferred.
• Valid state driver's license if driving animal transportation van.
• Experience in animal husbandry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervises daily cage wash or animal husbandry activities ensuring 100% adequate and appropriate coverage for all operations.
• Monitors that activities are completed accurately and on time by verifying at end of shift.
• Ensures that DLAR and investigator staff adhere to UK, local, state, and/or Federal rules and SOPs.
• Oversees procurement and storage of husbandry supplies.
• Provides holiday, after-hour and weekend coverage for husbandry issues.

Skills

MS Windows

Excel

Word

Outlook

Education

BA/BS in relevant field

AALAS LATg certification

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Physical Requirements

Must be able to lifting, pushing or pulling of objects over 50 pounds; animal handling (including carcasses); risk of injuries from use of equipment on the job; exposure to temperature extremes, cuts/punctures, and bloodborne/airborne pathogens. Able to work in hot, wet areas and wear personal protective clothing.

Shift

Primarily days (i.e. Monday – Friday, 7a-3:30p) This position is required to participate in weekend, after hours, holiday and on-call rotations. Some mandatory overtime required to meet business needs. This position is Plan B and will have to report during University closures.

Job Summary

Supervises daily cage wash or animal husbandry activities ensuring 100% adequate and appropriate coverage for all operations. Monitors that activities are completed accurately and on time by physically verifying at the end of the current shift, that daily scheduled work as been properly completed.

Ensures that DLAR and investigator’s staff adhere to all UK, local, state, and/or Federal rules and regulations and that all actions are completed by strictly and consistently following applicable DLAR SOPs including safety procedures and guidelines. Supports other operational areas as requested by senior management. Oversees and manages procurement and proper storage of husbandry supplies. Provides, on a rotational basis, holiday, after-hour and weekend coverage for husbandry related issues.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

MS Windows, Excel, Word and Outlook

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?

Yes

Preferred Education/Experience

BA/BS in relevant field, 5 years animal husbandry (laboratory animal husbandry preferred); AALAS certification at LATg level and valid state driver’s license if driving animal transportation van.

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to Apply 10/15/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Describe your supervisory experience. Include the number of employees whom you have supervised and the level of supervision you provided (i.e. hiring, discipline, training, delegation, performance management, etc.).

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Do you have previous experience with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) procedures to ensure quality data collection?
  • Yes
  • No
• * How many years of paid, full-time experience in animal care, animal equipment, and/or facility cleaning do you have?
  • None
  • More than 1 year but less than 3 years
  • More than 3 years but less than 5 years
  • More than 5 years but less than 7 years
  • More than 7 years
• * Do you have a current AALAS Certification? Please list the level.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Rate your level of expertise in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Windows, Excel, and PowerPoint).
  • None
  • Basic
  • Average
  • Proficient
  • Expert
• * Describe "teamwork" and give a recent example of how you demonstrated being a team player in a work setting. Please include examples of any experience you have with leading teams, if applicable.

  (Open Ended Question)