Technical Skills Training Specialist

DLAR-Animal Husbandry - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (26006298)

The Division of Laboratory and Animal Resources (DLAR) is seeking a Technical Skills Training Specialist who will be responsible for providing hands-on technical training to DLAR staff and research personnel. The candidate will train DLAR staff and research personnel on skills relating to handling and restraint, basic species-specific care, treatments, blood collection, necropsy, anesthesia machines, aseptic technique, survival surgery, and a variety of other technical skills needed within the division. These skills will apply to rodents and a variety of other animal species. The candidate will train DLAR and research personnel on species specific animal care, welfare, and common veterinary procedures consistent with DLAR business needs, institutional practices and standards and regulatory requirements. The training will adhere to DLAR business needs, institutional practices, standards, and regulatory requirements. The training will adhere to DLAR business needs, institutional practices, standards, and regulatory requirements. The candidate will also be responsible for managing the DLAR rodent training colony in adherence to regulatory and DLAR practices. The Technical Skills Training Specialist will maintain training documentation, update files, maintain inventory of supplies, order supplies and also help develop, revise, and maintain training materials utilizing a combination of instructor-led, computer-based, and interactive training methods to support the needs of the program.

The successful candidate has experience and a proven ability to work with rodents and administer medications, treatments, and post-operative care. Ability to provide research support in relation to training requested by investigators. Training could include assistance with radiographic techniques, surgical support, providing treatments, procedures, patient prep, administering anesthetics and monitoring anesthesia.

The successful candidate must demonstrate effective teaching techniques, and professional and positive verbal, written, interpersonal and customer service skills. Must be able to work and communicate effectively with researchers, staff and DLAR personnel. Must be familiar with general biology and be able to determine the health status of a variety of animal species. Must have knowledge of regulatory requirements for maintaining research animals in an Institutional Research Program. The Technical Skills Training Specialist must have excellent time and process management skills, be available to work occasional weekends and holidays, stand for extended periods of time, lift 50 pounds, push/pull heavy equipment, pass the mandatory criminal and social background checks, and Child Protection Clearances. Vaccinations and/or TB testing may be required. Baccalaureate or equivalent work experience (2+ years) in a research/lab/animal care setting could be substituted for education.

Provides hands-on, training regarding the care and use of animals in research, to personnel consistent with business needs, institutional practices and standards, and regulatory requirements. Develops educational training materials across a variety of mediums.

Essential Functions

The employee must be able to:
• read, understand, and follow DLAR and other institutional guidance documents (SOPs, policies), including IACUC approved animal protocols when applicable;
• follow written and verbal instructions;
• have sufficient visual and hearing acuity to recognize and identify normal and abnormal species specific clinical appearances and behavior patterns, 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 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 with reasonable accommodations if necessary;
• accurately and legibly document written information in English in a timely manner, including electronic formats and applications (e.g., PRISM, CAMS);
• effective written and verbal communication in English, including the use of email;
• receive vaccinations and health assessments, including TB testing, required to work in some animal holding or procedure areas in accordance with DLAR and/or EH&S policies and practices.

Physical Effort

The employee must be able to:
• stand for extended periods of time throughout the majority of the work day;
• 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, twisting and/or bending;
• physically handle and restrain a variety of small and large laboratory animals;
• negotiate and navigate around animal facility caging, equipment, and the physical plant.
• ability to wear personal protection equipment (PPE) appropriate for the species, animal housing conditions, or work area.
• must be able to stand for extended periods of time, lift 50 pounds and push/pull heavy equipment.

Assignment Category: Full-time regular

Job Classification: Staff.Animal Care Training Specialist

Job Family: Research

Job Sub Family: Animal Research

Campus: Pittsburgh

Minimum Education Level Required: Bachelor's Degree

Minimum Years of Experience Required: 1

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: Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) at the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) level within 24 months of start date

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; some overtime, weekends and holidays

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: The following PA Act 153 clearances and background checks are required prior to commencement of employment and as a condition of continued employment: PA State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI Criminal Record Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance.

Required Documents: Resume

Optional Documents: Not Applicable