Summary

The Center for Comparative Medicine (CCM) supports the animal oversight and research needs of all investigators utilizing animals in their research and teaching at Baylor College of Medicine. The Director of Animal Care (Husbandry, Rodent Main Campus) serves a critical function in support of excellent animal care and welfare within the context of BCM's highly successful biomedical research program and will provide research support to scientists through the development and maintenance of optimum laboratory animal facilities and services. CCM provides husbandry, veterinary care, training, and study support for all animals at Baylor. The Director of Animal Care, Husbandry will provide strategic leadership and management across various animal facilities to support the research mission. The Director will report to the Executive Director of CCM to provide guidance, and develop policies and procedures to assure compliance with the USDA and Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare at National Institutes of Health – NIH (OLAW) regulations and AAALAC.

This position is eligible for an annual performance-based bonus.

Job Duties

• Oversees the management and operations of two CCM animal facilities, affiliated satellites, and animal care staff.
• Works with Directors of Animal Care, Senior Managers, and Director of the Business Office to oversee and schedule maintenance of animal care facilities and all animal care equipment to ensure proper maintenance, sanitation, and operation.
• Serves as a member of CCM’s Executive Leadership team.
• Directs Sr. Manager and manager of animal care facilities to ensure proper inventory, care, feeding and delivery of animals, sanitation of equipment and facilities and procurement and storage of supplies.
• Supports and mentors Sr. Manager and managers in personnel matters, performance and all HR related matters, evaluations, and training and development initiatives.
• Ensures that animal care related procedures meet applicable laws, guidelines, and standards.
• Participates in IACUC inspections, AAALAC site visits, and other regulatory visits.
• Produces regular reports of animal population and other colony related data for executive management.
• Directs and coordinates facility operations for the Center of Comparative Medicines' services including the largest rodent facility, TMF, and the highest barrier rodent facility, ABBR. Responsible for strategic and budgetary planning, creation, and execution of new programs.
• Maintains accountability for finances, including departmental usage, expenses, and revenue; review budgets and financial reporting; make recommendations for financial support, capital purchases, with operational changes with financial justifications; submit financial and staffing metrics as requested.
• Provides oversight of a Senior Manager and a facility manager who are responsible for the coordination of operations and maintenance of CCM's animal facilities; assisting with professional development and work plan implementation for staff to support operational workflow.
• Assists in evaluation of staff performance, providing ongoing staff mentoring and counseling as required.
• Investigates and addresses any client and staff concerns, implementing changes as required, monitoring effectiveness of solutions, and communicating recommendations to Executive Director.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates policies and standard operating procedures to provide superior quality results and service.
• Provides direction and oversight of facility construction and renovation; coordination and management of projects, especially those of large scope; coordinates and develops security and emergency planning.
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, a collegial attitude, and ability to successfully work with faculty, staff, and trainees.
• The Director of Animal Care, Husbandry directly supervises up to 2 high-level full-time employees and indirectly supervises 50 staff reporting to those individuals.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Eleven years of directly related experience with four years of supervisory experience.
• Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS). 

Job Specific Criteria

• Knowledge of and expertise with in-vivo techniques for research, demonstrated ability to create/implement new programs in adherence with established policies & procedures, demonstrated ability to plan and monitor the use of expenditures and prepare budget documents & reports, and excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree. Seven years of directly related experience with four years of supervisory experience.
• Certification by AALAS at the Certified Manager of Animal Resources (CMAR) level.