Manager, Vivarium Operations

Job Summary
Responsible for the day-to-day management of operations of Carleton’s animal facilities (core vivaria and satellite facilities), and optimization of services to animal researchers. Supports the University Veterinarian in ensuring CU’s animal facilities supports the university’s teaching and research requirements and adheres to the Ontario Ministry of Agricultural Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), Animals for Research Act (ARA), Canadian Council of Animal Care (CCAC) and Institutional Animals Care Committee (ACC) standards and guidelines.
Key Accountabilities
Planning and Risk Management
▪ Keeps abreast of new trends, practices, legislation in animal care to meet client needs in a healthy and safe environment.
▪ Supports annual unit-level planning, including identifying need for modifications, determining implications and options, and preparing recommendations
▪ Oversees the ongoing operational planning and/or projects including prioritization, resource allocation, and scheduling; seeks opportunities for improvement in program and service delivery through program evaluation and research
▪ Develops, monitors, and reports on performance targets and service levels
▪ Ensures all the health and safety measures are in place at the facilities
▪ Ensures the completion of required reports following minor and major incidents and injuries, responding to emergencies and notifying their manager, liaising with Campus Safety and/or Environmental Health and Safety when necessary.
▪ Ensures legislation, governance structures, policies and procedures are adhered to; contributes to development and alignment of internal policies and procedures
▪ Ensures optimization of information systems and data management processes and outcomes
People Leadership
▪ Manages the day-to-day operations and the Animal Care and Veterinary Services technical workforce with a focus on providing excellent service
▪ Participates and supports recruitment and staffing schedule for the Animal Care team
▪ Provides direction, support, guidance and advice on escalating and challenging issues
▪ Conducts on-going performance management and annual reviews of the Animal Care team
▪ Monitors office culture and productivity and intervenes when necessary

Financial Management
▪ Assists in the maintenance of annual operating budget
▪ Approves expenditures and arranges for payments where appropriate
▪ Purchases animals, goods and services following procurement policy and procedures within limits of authority including specifications, sourcing, request for quotations, evaluations, and transportation
▪ Prepares per diems, technical time, animal order and supply charge backs invoices for the Vet to review
Stakeholder Relationship
▪ Provides support to the Laboratory Veterinarian and Director, AC&VS
▪ Manages relationships with the internal and external stakeholders
▪ Collaborates with business partners to provide effective and efficient services
▪ Participates on committees and working groups, provides input and advice, and undertakes research and information gathering to inform decisions
▪ Collaborates with other managers and professional staff to resolve issues and
challenges and to deliver programs and services
Operations
▪ Manages the day-to-day operations of the vivarium, including weekends and holidays
▪ Participates in provincial and federal licensing inspections for the vivarium and animal care satellite sites across campus.
▪ Assists in preparing responses to identified issues with the Veterinarian
▪ Alongside the ACVS technical staff participates in husbandry and animal care, and experimental support and technical services as dictated by operational requirements, which include by are not limited to: Performing daily health checks, cage changes, treatment administration, facility housekeeping, surgery, anesthesia, blood collection, weaning, colony management and genotyping
▪ Monitors vivarium and laboratory environment (temperature, relative humidity, air exchange, lighting, water quality and housing suitability) and responds to issues
▪ Ensures biosecurity and health and safety procedures are followed, monitors use of personal protective equipment, and maintains chemical record inventory
▪ In collaboration with the Veterinarian, oversees Study Initiation Meetings with
researchers to ensure studies can be successfully carried out in the vivarium. This includes, but is not limited to, reviewing AUPs and training requirements, booking training, rooms and equipment, and coordinating staffing to support the study.
▪ Under the direction of the Veterinarian, schedules and organizes sentinel program and sends biological specimen for testing
▪ Undertakes and arranges preventative maintenance of vivarium equipment and schedules repairs
▪ Creates and maintains various reports as requested
▪ Prepares and updates manuals and standard operating procedures
▪ Supports the development and implementation of the animal care training program for ACVS staff and research personnel (faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students), including but not limited to: Stereotaxic surgery (with and without implants, stereotaxic infusions), injection techniques (e.g., subcutaneous, intravenous, intra peritoneal), bleed techniques (e.g., cardiac, submandibular, saphenous), mini pump insertion/retrieval, suturing techniques, etc.

▪ Delivers the entry level training sessions including but not limited to: Facility orientations, rodent handling and restraints, injections, aseptic surgical techniques, surgical preparation, surgical instrument pack preparation, post-op care, anaesthetics and analgesics, euthanasia, and waste disposal.
▪ Primary instructor for more advanced procedural and surgical techniques, including stereotaxic infusions, and implants, mini pump, ovariohysterectomies, oral gavage, perfusions, intravenous blood collections and injections.
▪ Identifies, evaluates, reports, and resolves health and safety issues in concert with campus partners e.g., EHS, FMP, and Campus Safety
▪ Performs other duties as assigned
Job Requirements
Core Knowledge, Education and Experience
▪ Knowledge of operational management and leadership concepts practices including program/service delivery models, policy development, planning, budgeting, performance measurement management, and human resources
▪ Knowledge of animal vivarium and laboratory program design, delivery, assessment,
and evaluation methodologies, processes, and practices
▪ Knowledge of relevant governing legislation, collective agreements, policies and procedures
▪ Knowledge of office as well as the broader university academic units, departments, and divisions
▪ Knowledge of office productivity software and databases, internet browsers and search engines, discipline-specific software, enterprise software, and technology devices
▪ Knowledge of cultural competency and diversity
▪ Knowledge is used to lead animal care vivarium
Education
▪ Completion of Veterinary  Technician/Technology program
▪ Registered Veterinary Technologist
▪ Registered Laboratory Animal Technologist
▪ Certified Manager of Animal Resources/ Registered Masters Laboratory Technology Certificate or equivalent preferred.
Experience
▪ Minimum of four years of previous animal veterinary experience including two years of management and leadership experience
▪ Experience with advanced rodent surgery, teaching or training students, troubleshooting equipment, strong background in genetics
Communication and Stakeholder Management
▪ Builds, maintains, and interacts across a range of internal and external stakeholders with focus on provision of program, process, service, and operational advice, direction, and problem resolution
▪ Consults with relevant stakeholders, understands content and context, provides advice and guidance related to program and services
▪ Resolves escalated issues and complaints from researchers and ACVS staff
▪ Fields and responds to challenging interactions with a range of stakeholders understanding policy and procedure and the perspective and position of management

▪ Develops plans and reports and conveys information for information sharing and recommendations for decision making
Problem Solving and Decision Making
▪ In collaboration with others, leads the creation and execution of the Vivarium operations
▪ Acts autonomously and with independence to make day-to-day operational decisions
Impact
▪ Impacts health, safety, and well-being of others
▪ Contributes to the reputation and public image of the University as a consequence of the Vivarium Operations
▪ Manages the potential liability and risk for the university
▪ Impacts efficiency and effectiveness of development and delivery of programs and services
Leadership and Development of Others
▪ Provides day-to-day leadership of animal care vivarium
▪ Participates in recruitment and selection, promotions, and transfers
▪ Delegates workload, assigns tasks, manages schedules and leave, and recommends training and development
▪ Provides day-to-day coaching, mentoring, direction, and support
▪ Evaluates performance, gives feedback, and undertakes disciplinary actions within limits of authority
Physical, Visual, Auditory, and Concentration Demands
▪ On-going requirements for computer-based work and attendance at meetings
▪ Lifting of heavy items over 50lb on a regular basis, monitoring environmental parameters and animal health, by visual, olfactory and auditory inspection. Standing for long periods of time providing husbandry to the animals or hunched posture when performing or teaching rodent surgery or laboratory techniques
Working Environment
▪ Works in animal care vivarium with exposures to biological and chemical agents
▪ Works in office environment
▪ Works in uncomfortable heat, with high odours, and moisture. Wear PAPR mask to reduce allergens and bio contaminants
▪ Supports the Vet with on-call hours (averaging one to two weekends a month). The Manager may also need to be available during holidays, depending on the operational needs of the animals and facilities

Tagged as: animal care, animal facilities, veterinarian, vivarium