Animal Quarantine Specialist - Comparative Medicine

Overview

Position Summary – Oversees the quarantine facility and supervises its operation, in conjunction with facility management, vivarium equipment, and animal laboratory processes. Provides oversight, coordination and support to the animal care program under the direction of the area supervisor. Operates extensively with all departments and stakeholders of the Department of Comparative Medicine (DCM). Supervises the management of the animal care and husbandry program in accordance with regulations and guidelines of the Animal Welfare Act, the Public Health Service, and University policies to assure a quality animal care duties are performed in accordance with established standard operating procedures (SOPs) and that University and divisional policies are followed.

• Manages daily quarantine activities and coordinates all operations for the quarantine facility.
• Coordinates schedules for all incoming and outgoing animal shipments for the quarantine facility. Works with Shipping and Receiving Manager, DCM Procurement, Import/Export Coordinator, DCM Senior Management, and PI’s to ensure flawless transport of animals.
• Prepares and receives highly complex shipping of export and import animals. Requires intricate attention to detail and the ability to effectively communicate with other facilities, high profile researchers, PI’s, DCM Senior Management, Diagnostic Lab, and Import/Export Coordinator.
• Maintains schedules for testing and performs sample collections including fecal samples, taping samples, hair samples and mouth swabs for the animals. Dependent on testing results, coordinates rederivation of animals as necessary with Gnotobiotics Core Facility Director.
• Maintains very detailed records of all shipments, transfers, animal health documents and sample collections. Maintains facility and USDA required documentation for all animals entering quarantine facility.
• Monitors daily animal health and welfare while performing daily observations and cage checks, animal husbandry duties to maintain quality and health of research animals, to include: performs daily water bottle and cage checks; provide appropriate food and water; perform cage changing and/or cage cleaning as required; record animal health concerns per SOP and/or specified protocols. Conducts room inspections to assess the animals’ health and cage environment as well as all related paperwork and record keeping.
• Provides direction to the husbandry staff on Operations and Facility issues including investigating operational issues, gathering information and details, compiling the information and submitting/presenting data along with recommendation(s) for resolution of the situation/issue to the area supervisor.
• Provides training to new hires in the duties and responsibilities of animal care and facility operations of the quarantine area.
• Performs quality assurance responsibilities in assigned building and other buildings as necessary.
• Operates equipment and use supplies according to safety guidelines; perform general housekeeping and adhere to safety procedures.
• Orders supplies and maintains inventory needed to maintain quarantine facility.
• Reviews and develops SOPs related to quarantine processes.
• Rotational work on weekends and holidays is required.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Requires extensive safety training.
• Alternative work schedules.
• Exposure to chemicals.
• High noise environment.
• On-Call.
• Requires protective devices.
• Dusta, dirt, grease or other disagreeable elements.
• Exposure to moving machinery.
• Exposure to animals.

• Ability to lift 30 pounds and pass a pre-employment physical exam.
• Typically sitting at desk or table.
• Typically standing or walking.
• Typically bending, crouching and stooping.
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement.
• Occasional lifting (25–50 lbs).

• Office equipment.
• Lab/research equipment.
• Simple hand tools.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management…