Operation Supervisor

Overview

Job Title:

Operations Supervisor

Department:
Office of Laboratory Animal Resources (OLAR)

University:
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Location:

Onsite – Aurora, CO (Onsite work expected)

Position #:  – Requisition #: 38791

The field of Laboratory Animal Management requires specialized knowledge of the operations of a highly technical research environment. There are numerous laws, regulations and policies that must be adhered to, such as the Animal Welfare Regulations, PHS Policy, Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and IACUC policies. The Operations Supervisor reports to the Operations Manager for OLAR. The individual is expected to operate with minimal supervision and make decisions regarding the operation of the cage wash, docks, and auxiliary areas of OLAR run facilities in conjunction with the Operations Manager and within the regulations and universities policies with minimal guidance.

The Operations Supervisor provides direct supervision of Operations Technicians to ensure normal day-to-day operation of the animal facility (approximately 10 direct reports). This position participates in hiring decisions, evaluates performance, resolves grievances, creates and alters work assignments, and initiates disciplinary actions. The role supports routine and specialized care for equipment, facility support areas and supply management that support studies performed by scientists for biomedical research and education in CU Denver | Anschutz campuses.

The Operations Supervisor coordinates the normal day-to-day operations of all vivariums run by OLAR on the Anschutz Medical Campus by providing direct supervision to the department’s operations technicians and daily hands-on management of the cage wash facility, docks, procedure rooms, and auxiliary areas serving all OLAR Animal Facilities (approximately 130,000 sq. feet), in accordance with regulatory and CU Denver | Anschutz standards.

The Supervisor has responsibilities over all Operations Technician positions in areas of responsibility and has authority to assign tasks, evaluate and implement training processes, monitor work, adjust as needed, and participate in hiring, evaluation and grievance processes, including disciplinary actions. The Operations Supervisor ensures smooth daily 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 walk-throughs of the facility to ensure compliance. Follow up with any non-compliance issues to ensure correction.
• Supervise staff responsible for the receipt of incoming cages and supplies for processing, meeting cage supply requests for husbandry staff and special researcher needs, and reporting and 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, etc.) 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 the schedules for direct reports and adjust assigned work schedules accordingly.
• Participate in human resources functions by participating in the interview process for applicants, making recommendations on hires; set objectives and conduct performance appraisals; handle initial steps in corrective action/disciplinary processes, with escalation as needed.
• Collaborate with the Operations Manager on facility maintenance needs, preparing and reporting work orders, and serving as a liaison between the facility and service providers, including monitoring of the automated watering system, HVAC system, lighting control, and temperature/humidity systems. This includes troubleshooting, acknowledging alarms, reporting problems for repair, and responding to outages.
• Work with other departmental supervisors and managers to manage equipment and/or supply…