Assistant Director, Animal Care

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

Job summary

Florida State University’s Laboratory Animal Resources within the Office of Research seeks an Assistant Director of Animal Care. The role directs daily operation, provides strategic oversight of LAR facilities, and leads the animal care staff in adherence to SOPs and regulatory standards.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree with 4+ years in related science or a Master's with 2+ years, plus LATG certification. Anticipated salary range is $100,000–$140,000.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 4+ years in a related science or research services field, or a Master's with 2+ years.
• Must hold LATG Certification issued by AALAS.
• Experience in academic laboratory animal care preferred.
• Strong leadership and regulatory knowledge is essential.

Responsibilities

• Direct the daily operation of the animal care and husbandry program.
• Provide strategic oversight for all LAR-maintained facilities.
• Supervise direct animal care staff and ensure SOP adherence.
• Coordinate hiring, orientation, training, assessing, and disciplinary actions for staff.
• Communicate with faculty to determine project requirements for animal resources and care.
• Participate in planning, design, and commissioning of renovations and new spaces.
• Develop changes to operational policies for LAR animal care programs.
• Rotate after-hours, weekend, and holiday coverage.

Education

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

LATG Certification issued by AALAS

Job description

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

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!

Anticipated Salary Range

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

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Considerations

This is an A&P position.

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

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

FSU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.