Vivarium Operations Lead — Assistant Manager

Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is seeking an Assistant Vivarium Manager to oversee daily vivarium operations, ensuring humane care and compliance with regulations. This role acts as the manager’s designee in their absence and leads staff to maintain high standards of husbandry and safety.

The position requires handling animals, supervising technicians, and ensuring timely completion of tasks while adhering to university policies.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to follow both oral and written instructions.
• Significant experience working in an animal care facility, either in laboratory or clinic.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
• Be able to stand for long periods of time up to one hour.
• Interact with animals for long periods of time.
• Required to handle animals safely and to coexist with animals.
• Be able to disinfect walls, floors, and cages; to daily inspect rooms and determine when supplies are needed.
• Must be able to properly handle and apply chemicals safely during room cleaning processes.
• Required to wear any protective clothing or materials as needed.
• Must be able to observe and respond to situations in an appropriate manner.
• Required to be able to meet deadlines.
• Minimum of 3 years working with laboratory animals required.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Responsibilities

• Conduct accurate daily observations and reporting of animal health and cage elements for multiple species housed within DAR vivaria (food, water, and bedding).
• Provide basic animal husbandry (i.e., cage, water and food change), cage/animal census, and room/vivarium/cage wash housekeeping activities.
• Participate in staff training and employee health and safety programs.
• Follow the VCU Code of conduct to offer a consistently high quality of customer service.
• When the Vivarium Manager is not available, will act in their stead.
• Supervise daily activities within the assigned vivarium / vivaria, following the applicable federal, state, local and university policies.
• Direct daily activities of animal care technicians ensuring that husbandry tasks are completed correctly and in a timely fashion.

Skills

Animal care

Instruction following

Staff supervision

Safety procedures

Physical stamina

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is seeking an Assistant Vivarium Manager to oversee daily vivarium operations, ensuring humane care and compliance with regulations. This role acts as the manager’s designee in their absence and leads staff to maintain high standards of husbandry and safety.

The position requires handling animals, supervising technicians, and ensuring timely completion of tasks while adhering to university policies.