Assistant Director, Animal Resources - AZ/IL- Animal Resources

Midwestern University; Downers Grove, Glendale (IL, AZ); On-site; USD 76,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

403(b) retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Child care subsidy

Job summary

Midwestern University in Downers Grove, IL, is seeking a senior supervisor to oversee the care and maintenance of small animal facilities on the Downers Grove and Glendale campuses. You will report to the AVPR and lead the Animal Resources team to ensure compliant operations.

Responsibilities include maintaining regulatory compliance, developing SOPs, budgeting, working with consultants, and supporting IACUC activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; ALAT and LAT certifications required, LATG preferred.
• 7–10 years of small animal handling experience with ALAT/LAT certifications.
• At least 3 years of supervisory experience; strong written and verbal communication.
• MS Office proficiency (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Responsibilities

• Supervise Supervisors of Animal Resources on IL and AZ campuses.
• Maintain animal resources in compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
• Lead AAALAC accreditation efforts from start to finish.
• Develop SOPs and train staff on animal care.
• Coordinate with MWU’s consultants and assist with IACUC issues.

Skills

Communication skills

Supervisory experience

MS Office

Education

ALAT

LAT

LATG (preferred)

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Posting Details

• Posted on November 11, 2026
• Pay or shift range: $76,000 USD to $85,000 USD
• Staff
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: ASSIS004588

Locations

Illinois Campus Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA

Description

Summary

This position is responsible for the supervision of the care and maintenance of the small animal Research Facilities on both the Downers Grove and Glendale campuses. This position reports to the Assistant Vice President of Research (AVPR).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintaining animal resources in accordance with current federal, state and local regulations pertaining to laboratory animals.
• Staying current on federal, state and local regulations, and knowing where to obtain additional or up-to-date regulatory information.
• Oversee the full time Supervisor(s) of Animals Resources and provide leadership for them and their staff (Senior/Animal Resources Technicians).
• Take the lead and responsibility for continued AAALAC accreditation on both campuses, start to finish (i.e. preparing program descriptions, serving as the point of contact before and during site visits, assisting with post-site visit communications, etc.).
• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and oversee or conduct staff training for the care, husbandry, feed, and identification of symptoms of common infectious diseases for each of the animal species.
• Approve orders of animals, animal food, bedding, and supplies as needed that are placed by designated personnel.
• Budget review, construction, and handling of Animal Resources budget; including capital research equipment for Animal Resources.
• Generating reports/invoices for Business Services and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) regarding monthly animal per diem charges;
• Work to ensure that all animal researchers are following their approved protocols, regulations, and guidelines for animal care.
• Collaborate with MWU’s consultant veterinarians to serve as an educational resource to the Occupational Health and Safety team regarding unique allergens and zoonotic diseases associated with these animal species.
• Assisting the ORSP with Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) issues and record-keeping (such as expiration dates of IACUC approved protocols).
• Serve on the IACUC committee as a representative of Animal Resources, identifying and reporting any problems or concerns to the committee (with voting privileges) on both Il and AZ campuses.
• Assist the AVPR with local Animal Resources oversight and inventory of controlled substances in Downers Grove on the AVPR’s DEA license.
• Assist with various methods of animal identification and maintenance of accurate records.
• Coordinator of AALAS Learning Library/training for animal researchers.
• Administrator for InfoEd Animal Facilities Module.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises Supervisors of Animal Resources on both IL and AZ Campuses.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. This individual must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner and have regular, in-person, predictable attendance. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other Qualifications

Training will be provided, however a strong understanding of computers is required. Part of the position requires learning some of the unique process that both the AZ and IL campuses have in place.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree required. Must have 7-10 years of small animal handling experience with ALAT (Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician) Certification, and LAT (Laboratory Animal Technician) Certification required. LATG (Laboratory Animal Technologist) Certification from AALAS (American Association for Laboratory Animal Science) preferred. Must have at least 3 years of supervisory experience. Strong written and oral communications are required.

Computer Skills

Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision correctable to 20/20 in one eye, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. This position requires the ability to work with animals.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech language pathology, biomedical sciences and veterinary medicine. Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long term disability and pet insurance. We offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account. We offer a work life balance with competitive time off package including paid holiday’s, sick/flex days, personal days and vacation days. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection and an employee assistance program. Wellness is important to us and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility.

Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class, in accord withall federal, state and local laws and regulations. Midwestern University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/). Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.