Test Facility Supervisor at University of Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Test Facility Supervisor

DLAR-Animal Husbandry - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (26001445)

The Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) Test Facility Supervisor will assist in the establishment, growth, and continuous improvement of a Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) compliant animal testing facility. The position will manage operations in accordance with DLAR Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), University policies, federal regulations, and industry standards, and will serve as a key operational liaison between researchers, veterinarians, and various regulatory oversight agencies.

The candidate will:

• Liaise with faculty and industry sponsors to establish and execute project plans for sponsored research studies, and for surgeon qualification training events,

• Coordinate successfully executed studies in support of research goals,

• Lead the activities of study support staff, including training, scheduling, task assignment, and workflow oversight,

• Provides hands on support for complex animal surgical procedures, including anesthesia induction and monitoring, peri operative care, and post operative recovery,

• Provide post-operative monitoring, assessment, and supportive care, including stabilization, pain assessment and management, and recognition and escalation of adverse events,

• Collect and verify study-specific physiologic and clinical data in accordance with approved protocols, SOP and GLP requirements,

• Manage test facility equipment including certifications, calibrations, preventive maintenance schedules, repairs, and vendor coordination,

• Support budgetary planning, supply and equipment purchasing, and ensure accurate billing for services rendered, and

• Establish and maintain collaborative, productive working relationships.

This position requires flexibility in work hours to meet operational and research needs, including occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, and on call responsibilities.

Three years’ veterinary technical experience required. The preferred candidate will have working knowledge of GLP principles, experience working with animals in a preclinical laboratory environment, veterinary technical experience in surgical and/or ICU environments, and experience with audit readiness projects.

The successful candidate must demonstrate strong project management, decision making, organizational, interpersonal, and customer service skills; be proficient with technology in order to use common applications (e.g. email, Microsoft Office, Zoom) and learn new systems (ex: electronic quality management systems such as Ideagen IQM or similar), be available to work weekends, evenings, and holidays, pass the mandatory criminal and social background checks, University of Pittsburgh Animal Exposure Surveillance Program, and other medical surveillance/immunization programs,as dictated by the current research activities.

Vaccinations and/or TB testing may be required.

Job Summary

Manages all aspects of one or more projects for a research program and oversees all aspects of the project lifecycle. Provides leadership, technical direction, coordination, and expertise across projects. Analyzes progress and/or performance and prepares reports. Ensures compliance with budget, scope, timeline, and regulations. Assists with external communications.

Essential Functions

The essential functions described below are not intended to duplicate job duties listed elsewhere in this description.

• Read, understand, and follow DLAR and other institutional guidance documents (SOPs, policies), including IACUC approved animal protocols,

• Follow written and verbal instructions,

• Demonstrate sufficient fine motor skill to manipulate animals and equipment; negotiate around equipment within close quarters; move between rooms and workspaces,

• Have sufficient visual acuity and manual dexterity to recognize and identify normal and abnormal species-specific clinical appearances and behavior patterns, perform veterinary technical procedures, safely handle and restrain the animal species involved with his/her duties, and operate and maintain facility equipment and supplies utilized in the provision of veterinary care, animal husbandry and care, and in the cash wash areas;

• Wear facility specific personal protective equipment (PPE) required by the job duties based on risk assessment from EH&S;

• Work directly with live or dead animals and clean or soiled bedding and caging;

• Accurately and effectively communicate verbally and in writing, including in English, in order to perform job duties,

• Successfully enroll in the University of Pittsburgh Animal Exposure Surveillance Program (AESP) and other medical surveillance/immunization programs as dictated by current research activities,

• Receive vaccinations and health assessments, including TB testing, required in accordance with DLAR and/or EH&S policies and practices,

• Perform computer skills including the ability to utilize various applications (e.g., email, Word, Excel),

• Perform veterinary technical skills and procedures,

• Record and maintain data and documents with exceptional attention to detail,

• Be able to work variable shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, or on call coverage, as required to support research operations.

Physical Effort

The employee must be able to:

• Stand for extended periods of time throughout the majority of the workday,

• Lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds including but not limited to caging and equipment, bags or boxes of animal diet and animal bedding, and operate flatbed hand trucks or pallet jacks to move heavier objects or weights exceeding 50 pounds,

• Perform repetitive motion tasks that involve pushing, pulling, reaching, and/or bending,

• Physically handle and restrain a variety of small and large laboratory animals, and

• Negotiate and navigate around animals and equipment.

Assignment Category: Full-time regular

Job Classification: Staff.Research Project Manager

Job Family: Research

Job Sub Family: Research Program Support

Campus: Pittsburgh

Minimum Education Level Required: Bachelor's Degree

Minimum Years of Experience Required: 3

Will this position accept substitution in lieu of education or experience: Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.

Additional details about Required Licensure/Certification: Surgical Research Technician certification, through the Academy of Surgical Research, within 18 months of hire.

Work Schedule: M-F, 7AM-4PM, to vary. Must be available for urgent, high-impact issues outside of normal work hours on an as needed basis

Work Arrangement: On-Campus: Teams that work on campus, in an office, or in a lab.

Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience.

Relocation_Offered: No

Visa Sponsorship Provided: No

Background Check: For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check

Child Protection Clearances: Not Applicable

Required Documents: Resume

Optional Documents: Cover Letter