Cagewash Manager​/PM; NIH​/DVR, Bethesda, MD

Under the direction of the Program Manager and Deputy Program Manager, the Cagewash Manager will be responsible for overseeing all activities required for the proper care and maintenance of DVR animal equipment and facilities. This person shall be responsible for all cagewash services performed under this contract including: handling cleaning and sanitizing cages, racks, pans, feed bags, carts, dollies, and other equipment.

Primary responsibilities include ensuring that all personnel are trained and follow all SOPs, safety practices, and applicable NIH/DVR policies and regulations. Position requires support of multiple species including mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, woodchucks, dogs, pigs and NHPs.

Candidate must have a high school diploma and be literate in written and spoken English. Employee must be certified at the ALAT or LAT level with the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science and obtain an LATG within 1 year of employment. Candidate should have 2 years’ experience in a laboratory animal facility and must be able to lift 50 lbs.

All employees are considered essential and must report to work even in inclement weather. Weekend and holiday duty may be required and will be scheduled accordingly. Maintain good interpersonal skills and have the ability to cooperate with co-workers and function productively with others in accomplishing assigned tasks. Ability to function in a customer-client atmosphere, i.e., assists the company in providing positive responses to customer needs and delivery of quality services to the customer.

• Responsible for managing 3 separate cage wash areas for a large/complex animal care program housing multiple species including non-human primates.
• Monitoring, managing, and submitting facility plant and equipment service repair requests daily. Will be responsible for providing updates and recommendations for all open repair requests and renovation projects from start to finish.
• Assisting the Project Managers in assuring that all contract terms and conditions are met on time, within established cost limits and at acceptable performance levels.
• Assisting the Project Managers in compiling, preparing, and distributing applicable required reports and deliverables.
• Establishing liaison/communications with research personnel to gauge satisfaction with performance/accomplishment of support/service requests and implement corrective actions as required should performance be rated as marginal or substandard.
• Assuring that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are appropriate for the continued maintenance of AAALAC accreditation of the NIH/DVR facilities.
• Assuring that personnel adhere to security procedures and confidentiality requirements.
• Ensuring adherence by contract staff to established NIH/DVR SOPs.
• Monitoring the performance of all subordinate personnel, praising quality performance, or providing counseling or additional training/supervision and retraining for individuals with deficient performance, to maintain a high level of quality and services.
• Assisting the Project Managers and Training Department in establishing, maintaining, and documenting an employee-training program.
• Assisting the Project Managers in anticipating/planning for changing workloads/schedules, equipment, and supplies.
• Assuring that records, logbooks, and other project records are appropriately and contemporaneously maintained daily.
• Assisting with/overseeing the QA/QC program and ensuring QA findings are addressed in a timely manner and performance trends are evaluated and corrected as needed.
• Working in concert/cooperation with NIH/DVR compliance assurance entities (NIH Safety and DVR/IC IACUC committees).
• Maintain a current knowledge of existing and proposed laws, regulations, and guidelines affecting the care and use of animals at NIH/DVR animal facilities.
• Performing routine animal husbandry and cage wash functions as needed.
• Familiarity with ABSL II agents and procedures.
• Prepare and submit daily/monthly, or as requested, reports for production, service tickets, and requested department supplies.
• Establish work schedules, make assignments, and…