Assistant Director, Animal Care

Florida State University; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Florida State University seeks an Assistant Director of Animal Care in Tallahassee, FL, to lead daily operations of the LAR animal care and husbandry program and provide strategic oversight for facilities.

The role oversees staff, ensures adherence to AAALAC, USDA, Guide, IACUC and dept. policies, and coordinates staffing, equipment, and budgetary needs. Requires LATG certification and relevant advanced degree.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and four years experience in a related science or research services field or a Masters and two years experience in a related science or research services field.
• Must hold a current LATG Certification issued by AALAS.

Responsibilities

• Direct the daily operation of the animal care and husbandry program.
• Provide strategic oversight for all Laboratory Animal Resources facilities.
• Supervise and schedule LAR direct animal care staff; ensure SOPs are followed.
• Coordinate staffing, equipment, and service needs within budget.
• Lead hiring, training, and performance evaluations for LAR staff.
• Communicate project requirements for animal resources with faculty and investigators.
• Participate in planning, design, and commissioning of renovations and new spaces.
• Develop changes to operational policies for LAR animal care and husbandry programs.
• Perform rounds to ensure sanitation and regulatory conformance; prepare inspection reports.

Education

Bachelor's degree + 4 years experience in a related science or research services field or Master's + 2 years experience in a related science or research services field

LATG Certification (AALAS)

Job description

Job Title: Assistant Director, Animal Care

Location: Tallahassee, FL

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Job ID: 63063

Department

Laboratory Animal Resources within the Office of Research seeks to fill the Assistant Director of Animal Care position.

Responsibilities

This position is responsible for providing direction for the daily operation of the animal care and husbandry program. Provides strategic oversight for all LAR-maintained facilities. Relieves the LAR Director of a wide variety of internal duties and on-the-ground decision making. Supervises the functions and activities of LAR direct animal care staff. Ensures that animal care staff follow established operating procedures. Schedules, assigns and re-assigns work to ensure efficient utilization of manpower, equipment and facilities. Determines needs and makes recommendations for staffing and new/replacement equipment and/or services. Coordinates hiring, orienting, training, assessing, disciplinary action and termination procedures for LAR direct animal care staff. Communicate with faculty and investigators to determine project requirements for animal resources, housing, and care. Complete and coordinate complex projects and reports, which may require significant contact with other departments and outside organizations. Participates in and provides input for planning, design and commissioning of renovations and new spaces. Develops changes to operational policies for LAR animal care and husbandry programs.

This position preforms rounds in animal facilities to ensure maintenance of required sanitation standards and conformance to AAALAC, USDA, Guide, IACUC and department policies and guidelines; observes and reports noticeable deficiencies. Provides detailed written inspection reports of all the animal facilities routinely to the LAR Director. Participates in department and IACUC inspections, AAALAC site visits and other regulatory visits. Ensures that equipment and facilities are maintained in operational condition. Ensures that equipment or facility issues are reported in a timely fashion and follows through to ensure the problems are resolved. Serves as departmental property manager. Responsible for information and inventory management, and coordinating supply orders while remaining within budgetary constraints.

This position provides technical expertise and instruction in animal use and experimentation. Will Assist with colony health surveillance monitoring program as needed. Will serve as acting supervisor of cage wash personnel in absence of Cage Wash and Ancillary Services Supervisor. Oversees integrated pest management program. Attends regional or national meetings periodically to remain current with industry standards and to promote teamwork and growth in LAR. Participates in emergency response planning and contingency planning for animal facilities. Rotates after hours, weekend, and holiday coverage with Cage Wash and Ancillary Services Supervisor. Perform other duties as assigned related to operation of animal facilities and animal care program.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and four years experience in a related science or research services field or a Masters and two years experience in a related science or research services field. Must hold a current LATG Certification issued by AALAS.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing personnel and operations within an academic laboratory animal care program


• American Association for Laboratory Animal Science Certified Manager of Animal Resources (CMAR) certification


• Master’s degree in laboratory animal science, veterinary science, biological science, business administration, public administration, or a related field


• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with investigators, animal care staff, veterinary staff, and institutional partners

Contact Info

Cassidy Cooksey at [e-mail]

University Information

One of the nation's elite research universities, Florida State University preserves, expands, and disseminates knowledge in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities, and professions, while embracing a philosophy of learning strongly rooted in the traditions of the liberal arts and critical thinking. Founded in 1851, Florida State University is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida. FSU is a community steeped in tradition that fosters research and encourages creativity. At FSU, there’s the excitement of being part of a vibrant academic and professional community, surrounded by people whose ideas are shaping tomorrow’s news! Learn more about Florida State University and our campuses.

Anticipated Salary Range

The anticipated salary range for this position is $100,000 - $140,000.

FSU Total Rewards

FSU offers a robust Total Rewards package. Visit our FSU Total Rewards website to learn more about our Compensation, Benefits, Wellness, Recognition, and Employee Development programs. Use our FSU Total Compensation Calculato r to calculate Total Compensation options based on potential salary, benefits and retirement contributions, earned leave, and other employment-related perks.

Considerations

This is an A&P position.

This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check.

Applicants must submit a cover letter outlining their qualifications, leadership experience, and leadership philosophy.The letter should include a discussion of how the applicant would balance the highest standards of animal welfare and regulatory compliance while supporting and facilitating the research and teaching missions of the University.Applicants must provide a minimum of three professional references familiar with their work performance and leadership abilities, including each reference's relationship to the applicant, email address, and telephone number. Applicants that do not submit all required materials will not be considered.

This position participates in a rotation of after hours, weekend, and holiday on-call with other LAR supervisory personnel.

Equal Employment Opportunity

FSU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.