Assistant Director, Animal Resources - AZ/IL- Animal Resources

This position is responsible for the supervision of the care and maintenance of the small animal Research Facilities on both the Downers Grove and Glendale campuses.  This position reports to the Assistant Vice President of Research (AVPR).

• →Maintaining animal resources in accordance with current federal, state and local regulations pertaining to laboratory animals.
• →Staying current on federal, state and local regulations, and knowing where to obtain additional or up-to-date regulatory information.
• →Oversee the full time Supervisor(s) of Animals Resources and provide leadership for them and their staff (Senior/Animal Resources Technicians).
• →Take the lead and responsibility for continued AAALAC accreditation on both campuses, start to finish (i.e. preparing program descriptions, serving as the point of contact before and during site visits, assisting with post-site visit communications, etc.).
• →Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and oversee or conduct staff training for the care, husbandry, feed, and identification of symptoms of common infectious diseases for each of the animal species.
• →Approve orders of animals, animal food, bedding, and supplies as needed that are placed by designated personnel.
• →Budget review, construction, and handling of Animal Resources budget; including capital research equipment for Animal Resources.
• →Generating reports/invoices for Business Services and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) regarding monthly animal per diem charges;
• →Work to ensure that all animal researchers are following their approved protocols, regulations, and guidelines for animal care.
• →Collaborate with MWU’s consultant veterinarians to serve as an educational resource to the Occupational Health and Safety team regarding unique allergens and zoonotic diseases associated with these animal species.
• →Assisting the ORSP with Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) issues and record-keeping (such as expiration dates of IACUC approved protocols).
• →Serve on the IACUC committee as a representative of Animal Resources, identifying and reporting any problems or concerns to the committee (with voting privileges) on both Il and AZ campuses.
• →Assist the AVPR with local Animal Resources oversight and inventory of controlled substances in Downers Grove on the AVPR’s DEA license.
• →Assist with various methods of animal identification and maintenance of accurate records.
• →Coordinator of AALAS Learning Library/training for animal researchers.
• →Administrator for InfoEd Animal Facilities Module.
• →Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervises Supervisors of Animal Resources on both IL and AZ Campuses.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. This individual must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner and have regular, in-person, predictable attendance. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Training will be provided, however a strong understanding of computers is required.  Part of the position requires learning some of the unique process that both the AZ and IL campuses have in place. 

Bachelor’s degree required.  Must have 7-10 years of small animal handling experience with ALAT (Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician) Certification, and LAT (Laboratory Animal Technician) Certification required.  LATG (Laboratory Animal Technologist) Certification from AALAS (American Association for Laboratory Animal Science) preferred. Must have at least 3 years of supervisory experience. Strong written and oral communications are required.

Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook). 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to walk, and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, use hands to finger, handle or feel.  The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision correctable to 20/20 in one eye, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. This position requires the ability to work with animals.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech language pathology, biomedical sciences and veterinary medicine. Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long term disability and pet insurance.  We offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account.  We offer a work life balance with competitive time off package including paid holiday’s, sick/flex days, personal days and vacation days.  We offer a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection and an employee assistance program.  Wellness is important to us and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility.