Husbandry Supervisor

Department Overview

The Department of Comparative Medicine provides for the health and welfare needs, care, and housing of research animals throughout the OHSU central and waterfront campuses, and supports research innovations of OHSU Investigators. Provide supervisory oversight for 17-20 Animal Technician 1 & 2 positions and indirect supervision of approximately 1-4 Animal Technician 3 (leads) to assure optimal animal care and research program support for the OHSU Central and Waterfront (CWC) research community.  Programs supported by DCM utilize a large variety of laboratory research animals, including but not limited to, fish, amphibians, birds and a wide range of rodent and non-rodent mammalian species.

 

This position oversees husbandry personnel and their research support activities in quarantine, isolation, conventional, ABSL-2 and barrier-maintained animal programs in 11 facilities located across the CWC campus. The supervisor provides support to departmental and research staff by interpreting DCM policies and guidelines, participating in the development and revision of standard operating procedures (SOP), assigning and documenting technical training for employees, reviewing departmental operations, and writing manpower summaries and workgroup status reports for senior department managerial and veterinary staff. This supervisor will be responsible for the assignment of the daily workload assigned to husbandry technicians. The supervisor will assist the DCM Husbandry Manager with hiring, performance appraisals, and general management of personnel issues.

Function/Duties of Position

• Direct supervision of approximately 17 animal husbandry technicians working in animal facilities that include isolation, quarantine, conventional, ABSL-2 and barrier facilities and work areas. Provide ongoing feedback to senior managers concerning technician performance, including performance evaluations and work plans. Make recommendations to the DCM Manager concerning hiring, disciplinary actions, promotions, and special recognition, based on job knowledge, education/certification, and assigned job duties. Develop work schedules to support departmental needs. Provide the training required to gain security access to restricted work areas and animal facilities.

• Responsible for staff scheduling for daily husbandry procedures, cleaning procedures, area maintenance to maintain inspection readiness and research projects for all animal facilities located on the CWC campuses.

•  In coordination with the department trainer, instruct animal husbandry staff in procedures dealing with the care and use of laboratory animals. Provide support in the “new employee” training program, which typically involves intensive, side-by-side training with experienced technician(s) and/or supervisors for the initial months of employment.

• Perform when necessary technical functions related to research needs and animal husbandry, care and sanitation.

• Participate in the development and revision of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for approval by senior managerial and veterinary staff. 

• Assure that all husbandry activities are documented as required by all federal and state regulations and guidelines. 

• Under direction of Husbandry Manager, track/coordinate absences and other leaves; comply with FMLA/OFLA notifications and maintain confidentiality. Coordinate with AAEO and HR on workplace accommodation requests.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or a combination of AALAS certification and 3 yrs of progressive responsible experience in a similar setting.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a laboratory animal research setting. 

• Valid driver's license. 

• Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)

• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of animal health and husbandry practices in a laboratory enviornment, animal behavior, sanitation processes, aseptic techniques and environmental conditions that affect laboratory animals.
• Ability to operate and communicate effectively while meeting multiple deadlines and completing projects simultaneously.
• Ability to prioritize and balance multiple tasks. 
• Ability to write and effectively present materials, including presentations and status-reporting.
• Ability to create simple to complex project plans, timelines and work staffing plans using Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel spreadsheets and e-mail communication sofware.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of experience working in an ABSL-2 and/or animal quarantine setting. 
• Knowledge of union contracts.
• Advanced knowledge of Smartsheet software products, demonstrating a strong capability to design and implement complex automations, generate comprehensive reports, and create dynamic dashboards that facilitate effective collaboration among large teams.

Additional Details

Administrative and supervisory functions are located within numerous functional vivaria. Will be required to handle animals that have the potential to bite, scratch or harbor zoonotic diseases. Occupational exposure to chemical, biological pathogens and radioactive material. Will be required to work occasional weekends or irregular hours. Work may involve exposure to wet or slick walking surfaces and sanitizing chemicals. Work in both office and animal care environments.

All are welcome

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or [email protected].