Job Summary

Under the direction of the Director of the Office of Laboratory Animal Resources (OLAR), the Facility Operations Manager is responsible for managing and directing the operation of large and complex laboratory animal housing and use facilities serving multiple investigators in accordance with federal, state and local laws, PHS policy and AAALAC accreditation standards.

This is an Organizational Critical position. An employee designated as Organizational Critical is expected to report to campus as soon as possible to assist in Division/Department response and recovery efforts.

Job Duties

Program Development and Management

• Manage and direct the operation of large and complex laboratory animal housing and use facilities serving multiple investigators in accordance with federal, state and local laws, PHS policy and AAALAC accreditation standards, including husbandry and cagewash operations.
• Perform at least weekly animal facility rounds to ensure compliance with USDA, NIH and AAALAC guidelines. Effectively communicate findings and corrective actions taken to Director of OLAR in a timely manner.
• Develop, implement and revise as necessary OLAR programs and policies as they relate to the animal husbandry work group, to include annual review and update (if necessary) of all husbandry standard operating procedures. Play a leadership role in preparation for the AAALAC site visit including completion of the Animal Husbandry sections of the program description.
• Consult with investigators and research staff on a day-to-day basis to determine special needs such as spacing, staffing, diets, caging, etc. Communicate changes in facility operations to investigators on a timely basis.
• Manage housing and ensure appropriate care for special needs animals (e.g. immune deficient, exposed to biohazard, chemical hazard or radiation).

Administrative

• Provide oversight of data provided to the OLAR administrative staff to allow generation of accurate and timely monthly bills for animal facility users; approve employee time and attendance records; assist in the management of the animal facilities annual budget including ordering and assigning supplies to appropriate cost centers, and developing pricing and categories for income generating services. Play a leadership role in cost accounting review, including direction of time in motion studies as needed.
• Provide oversight of procurement and maintenance of supply inventories necessary for animal facility operation such as animal food and bedding, cage wash supplies, laundry services, safety items, and animal caging. Coordinate and oversee timely receipt of animals and placement in the facilities.
• Assist in design, maintenance and revision of computer data management systems that facilitate work processes, scheduling of husbandry staff, and dissemination of information to staff members.
• Develop, revise and implement systems for management of animal facility records including storage and retention systems. Examples of records include: breeding records, cage wash logs, husbandry logs, equipment service logs, annual maintenance logs.

Facilities Management

• Evaluate facilities and equipment, identify deficiencies, develop and implement corrective action through interaction with Facilities personnel and/or equipment maintenance contract personnel.
• Assist in the design and planning of new animal facilities and remodel of existing facilities including maintaining a description of each facility (blueprints and engineering data), equipment inventories, and punch lists of pending issues. Organize continuing analysis of HVAC function in all animal facilities and provide reports to the Director of OLAR.
• Perform at least an annual security and safety assessment of facilities and provide input to Director on opportunities for improvement. Work with Caltech Safety and Environment Health and Safety to ensure a safe and secure working environment.

Personnel Management

• Manage animal care staff including supervisors, animal care technicians, and cage wash personnel including provision of daily work assignments; performing hire/fire decisions; performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions. Emphasis is on efficient and effective management of animal care staff.
• Develop, implement and document staff training programs to promote an effective operational structure yielding efficiency and quality. Ensure animal care staff adherence to Caltech personnel, safety, and security policies, emergency response plan, and standard operating procedures. Organize and implement employee training program to prepare animal care staff for AALAS certification examinations.
• Develop and implement systems to monitor and promote employee satisfaction in the workplace.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biological Science or a related field.
• Minimum of three years work-related experience including supervisory experience in an AAALAC accredited facility.
• Certification at the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science technologist level.
• CMAR eligible.
• Computer experience necessary.
• Excellent supervisory/management skills is a must; demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills; excellent record keeping and organizational skills; initiative and ability to work without direct supervision.

Conditions of employment:

• Weekend on-call duty required; employee may be required to work with animals that are infected with potential pathogens or have been exposed to radioactive materials.
• Employee should have no known animal allergies.
• Employee will be expected to lift up to 50 lbs.
• TB testing and basic medical exam are required annually.
• Measles vaccination or proof of exposure is required; employee is personally responsible for following health and safety guidelines/instructions; work is in a non-smoking area.

Required Documents

• Resume