Assistant Facility Manager

Overview

University Staff – University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Department:
Office of Laboratory Animal Resources

Job Title:

Assistant Facility Manager

Position #:  - Requisition #: 38791

The field of Laboratory Animal Management requires specialized knowledge of the operations of a highly technical research environment. Regulatory requirements include Animal Welfare Regulations, PHS Policy, Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and IACUC policies. The cage wash and dock areas involve specialized equipment. The position reports to the Operations Manager for the Office of Laboratory Animal Resources (OLAR).

The individual is expected to operate with minimal supervision and make decisions regarding the operation of the cage wash, docks, and auxiliary OLAR facilities in collaboration with the Operations Manager and in compliance with regulations and university policies.

The Operations Supervisor is responsible for direct supervision of Operations Technicians (approximately 10 direct reports), participating in hiring decisions, evaluating performance, resolving grievances, creating and altering work assignments, and initiating disciplinary actions. This full-time University Staff (unclassified) position provides routine and specialized care for equipment, facility support areas and supply management to support studies by scientists in the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Nursing at CU Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus.

The Operations Supervisor facilitates daily operations of OLAR vivariums, supervises the Operations Technician staff, and manages daily operations of the cage wash facility, docks, procedure rooms, and auxiliary areas serving OLAR Animal Facilities (approximately 130,000 sq. feet). The role has authority to assign tasks, evaluate and implement training, monitor progress, and participate in hiring, evaluation and disciplinary processes, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations of the animal facility.

• Assign, monitor and supervise the daily activities of the operations technician personnel to ensure appropriate staffing levels.
• Direct, manage, and maintain the operations of all facility equipment.
• Perform regular facility walk-throughs to ensure compliance; follow up on non-compliance issues to ensure correction.
• Supervise staff responsible for receipt of incoming cages and supplies, processing, meeting cage supply requests for husbandry staff and special researcher needs, and reporting/assigning work schedules for missing staff.
• Build and maintain good working relationships within the department while overseeing daily operations of auxiliary areas (docks, corridors, procedure rooms) and cage wash facilities.
• Perform and report time collection for operations technician employees.
• Oversee cage wash facilities and auxiliary areas by auditing check sheets and sanitation records to ensure compliance.
• Coordinate schedules for direct reports and adjust work schedules accordingly.
• Participate in HR functions including interview processes, recommendations on hires, setting objectives, conducting performance appraisals, and initiating corrective actions up to Director level when needed.
• Collaborate with the Operations Manager on facility maintenance, work orders, and liaison with service providers, including monitoring of the automated watering system, HVAC (room and rack level), lighting control, and temperature/humidity systems; troubleshoot alarms, report problems, and respond to outages.
• Work with other departmental supervisors to manage equipment and supply shortages affecting facility operations.
• Recruit, select, hire, train, orient, assign, monitor, ensure compliance, and supervise daily activities of the operations technicians; oversee daily cage wash facility operations and auxiliary areas.
• Develop and implement policies, SOPs and training programs to ensure regulatory compliance, including continuing education for staff.
• Serve as a research staff liaison and primary point of contact to ensure OLAR customers receive high-quality care and service.
• Manage inventories and submit supply orders within budget; assist Operations Manager to…