Vivarium Manager

Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 64,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid annual and holiday leave

Tuition benefits

Retirement planning and savings

Employee discounts

Well-being resources

Career development opportunities

Fully onsite work

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University invites applications for a Vivarium Manager to lead the husbandry team. You will oversee day-to-day rodent facility operations, ensure SOPs and welfare compliance, and supervise animal care staff. Strong communication and ABSL2 containment experience are essential.

Work is Monday–Friday, 7am–4pm, with weekends/holidays possible. Salary ranges $64,000–$74,000 with full benefits and fully onsite work arrangement.

Qualifications

• Experience in animal care facilities with ability to supervise technicians.
• Ability to communicate with staff, investigators and supervisors effectively.
• Proficiency with Windows-based PCs (Word, Excel, email).
• Experience in rodent facilities management and biohazard containment (ABSL2).
• Post-secondary education is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of a rodent facility and ensure SOP adherence.
• Oversee animal welfare compliance and health surveillance activities.
• Direct animal care technicians and coordinate supplies and maintenance.
• Develop and revise facility SOPs with leadership.

Skills

Animal care facility experience

Staff supervision

Communication skills

Windows proficiency

ABSL2 containment experience

Data management

Personnel management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Advertising Summary: The Office of the Vice President forResearch and Innovation (OVPRI) and Division of Animal Resources(DAR) invites applicants to apply for an outstanding opportunity tojoin our Team as an Vivarium Manager. This is a full timerestricted University and Academic Professional position working inthe DAR facilities. The Vivarium Manager is responsible for the dayto day management of a rodent facility in accordance with StandardOperating Procedures (SOP’s) so as to minimize the chances ofcolony infections…Ensure animals are cared for and maintained inaccordance with the Animal Welfare Regulations, U.S. Public HealthService Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals,and the Guide for the Care and Useof Laboratory Animals…Directdaily activities of animal care technicians ensuring that husbandrytasks are completed correctly and in a timely fashion. These willinclude receiving animals, feeding and watering, sanitation andcleaning, handling and restraint, health surveillance, equipmentmaintenance, supply inventories/ordering…Ensure appropriate stafftechnical training, supervision and evaluation…Develop and reviseanimal facility SOP’s in conjunction with the Assistant Director –Operations…Ensure adherence to SOPs, quality assurance guidelinesand protocols…Communicate needs for facility equipment, logisticalsupport and management supervisors…Perform other duties asassigned.

Work is Monday through Friday and work hours are scheduled between7am and 4pm. Weekends and Holidays may be required.

Department Summary: Welcome to VCU ... a world unlikeany other.

We combine learning, research, creativity, service and discoverywith a commitment to excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the30 “most innovative” public universities in the country, VCU is apremier, urban, public research university home to multiplenationally ranked programs.

Here, your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCUoffers a generous leave package, career paths for advancement,competitive pay and mission-driven work. We advance a conscientiousdrive to support a climate where excellence and success for allpeople are valued and differences are celebrated.

Together, we can be unstoppable!

Office of Research & Innovation, Division of Animal Resourcesinvites applicants to apply for an outstanding opportunity to joinour Husbandry Team as an Vivarium Manager.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Responsible for the day to day management of a rodent facility inaccordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) so as to minimize the chances of colony infections. Ensure animals are caredfor and maintained in accordance with the Animal WelfareRegulations, U.S. Public Health Service Policy on the Humane Careand Use of Laboratory Animals, and the Guide for the Care and Useof Laboratory Animals. Direct daily activities of animal caretechnicians ensuring that husbandry tasks are completed correctlyand in a timely fashion. These will include receiving animals,feeding and watering, sanitation and cleaning, handling andrestraint, health surveillance, equipment maintenance, supplyinventories/ordering. Ensure appropriate staff technical training,supervision and evaluation. Develop and revise animal facilitySOP’s in conjunction with the Assistant Director – Operations.Ensure adherence to SOPs, quality assurance guidelines andprotocols. Communicate needs for facility equipment, logisticalsupport and management supervisors. Perform other duties asassigned.

Responsible for the day to day management of a rodent facility inaccordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) so as to minimize the chances of colony infections. Ensure animals are caredfor and maintained in accordance with the Animal WelfareRegulations, U.S. Public Health Service Policy on the Humane Careand Use of Laboratory Animals, and the Guide for the Care and Useof Laboratory Animals. Direct daily activities of animal caretechnicians ensuring that husbandry tasks are completed correctlyand in a timely fashion. These will include receiving animals,feeding and watering, sanitation and cleaning, handling andrestraint, health surveillance, equipment maintenance, supplyinventories/ordering. Ensure appropriate staff technical training,supervision and evaluation. Develop and revise animal facilitySOP’s in conjunction with the Assistant Director – Operations.Ensure adherence to SOPs, quality assurance guidelines andprotocols. Communicate needs for facility equipment, logisticalsupport and management supervisors. Perform other duties asassigned.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment ofrespect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty,staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or acommitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
• Significant experience working in an animal care facility.
• Must be able to direct technicians and investigational staff inthe proper techniques required to maintain disease free rodentcolonies.
• Must be able to communicate with their staff, investigators andtheir supervisors effectively both orally and in writtenfashion.
• Be proficient in the use of Windows based PC’s– especially inWord, Excel and email clients.
• Must have experience in rodent facilities management, biohazardcontainment to include ABSL2 operations, data management andpersonnel management.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with facility start up – a plus.
• Certification by the American Association for Laboratory AnimalScience as a Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) preferred.
• Some level of post-secondary education strongly preferred.

Benefits:

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes:

• comprehensive health benefits
• paid annualand holiday leave
• generous tuition benefits
• retirement planningand savings options
• tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs
• employee discounts
• well-being resources
• abundant opportunitiesfor career development and advancement
• and more

Unit:

VP Research MBU

Department:

Animal Care Facility

Salary Range:

$64,000-$74,000 (commensurate withexpierence)

FLSA Exemption Status:

Exempt

Hours per Week:

40

Restricted Position:

Yes

ORP Eligible:

No

Flexible Work Arrangement:

Fully Onsite

University Job Title:

34034N - Vivarium Manager RS 1

Contact Information

Contact Name: Niki Boyd

Contact Email: [e-mail]