Job Title

Primary Purpose The Senior Manager, Central Animal Facility (CAF) is responsible for the ethical use of animals used for research, field work, breeding, and teaching, as well as the general manager and staff supervisor for the animal housing facilities at the University of Waterloo. The Senior Manager is the resident expert for the University of Waterloo community regarding the use of animals in research, field work, breeding, and teaching including specialized technical services, facilities management, research study implementation consultation, education and training, compliance and quality assurance, animal housing, environmental enrichment, and general animal health. This is accomplished through both independent activities and collaboration with faculty researchers, research personnel from startup companies, government organizations, and other external businesses for a range of animal species. Key Accountabilities This position has 4 key accountabilities: Facility Management and Staff Supervision, Animal Health and Welfare, Technical Services & Compliance and Quality Assurance, and Education and Training. These include the following: care and maintenance of the physical buildings to meet regulatory compliance and safety requirements; daily oversight of the animal care and husbandry program; supervision and scheduling of staff; advising facility users on animal health, environmental enrichment, welfare, and wellbeing; research practices and technical procedures; providing leadership in effecting change and improving quality of service; and ensuring practices, procedures and safety guidelines are met. Facility Management and Staff Supervision Oversee daily operations in a costeffective manner to ensure current standards of animal health and quality assurance are met as well as adherence to federal, provincial, international, and university policies and procedures. Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), policies, and guidelines, including writing, revising, and conducting an annual review to analyze and improve procedures and reflect best practices. Advise university administrators on specific compliance issues associated with legislation and guidelines pertinent to animal research and teaching, and prepares reports for, and follows up on recommendations from, site visits by inspection agencies. Plan, arrange, and implement the assignment of staff, research personnel, space, and equipment, ensuring optimal utilization of resources and care of animals. Ensure staff and facility users follow applicable safety guidelines and terminate facility access if necessary. Monitor facility operations and animal care activities, including satellite facilities, and notify supervisor and/or Veterinarian promptly when irregularities arise. Ensure preventative and ongoing maintenance programs are current for equipment and submit an annual evaluation of equipment needs for technical upgrades. Oversee orders of routine and nonroutine supplies and equipment, including the ordering of animals, ensuring adequate availability and cost minimization. Maintain comprehensive documentation and record keeping at all levels, including records of drug inventories. Act immediately on equipment and infrastructure problems, contacting appropriate repair personnel and ensuring remediation activities do not jeopardize animals or research. Present and discuss changes and exchange information concerning facility operations with members of the Animal Care Committee (ACC) and university administration as needed. Work with supervisor annually to develop a budget and financial metrics describing facility operations and efficiency. Communicate per diems to facility users and maintain accurate billing records for Office of Research personnel. Act on incidents or deviations from procedures that may affect health, safety, or security, and follow up with supervisor and/or Veterinarian. Advise and write reports on optimization of operations for facilities, including satellite facilities, as required. Participate in university committees related to the use of animals to ensure processes supporting animal use are appropriate, adequate, and efficient. Assist in writing reports to federal, provincial, and international assessment bodies to ensure retention of a certificate of Good Animal Practice and respond to inspection recommendations. Inspect the facility regularly with supervisor to ensure compliance with lab safety guidelines. Interview, hire, and supervise staff; conduct performance evaluations, training, remedial actions, or termination as needed. Recommend training and qualification courses for staff and research personnel to address technical and animal care competency gaps. Foster effective and cooperative relationships, mentor, and role model communication among staff, supervisor, Veterinarian, ACC chair, research personnel, vendors, government officials, and external stakeholders. Assign staff workloads to ensure fair distribution and support personal growth and development opportunities. Ensure appropriate staffing levels during statutory holidays, vacations, illness, medical leaves, and approved training courses. Chair staff meetings and attend regular meetings with supervisor and/or Veterinarian; participate on other internal or external committees as required. Animal Health and Welfare Oversee the animal care and husbandry program, including education and training of staff and research personnel on humane animal health and welfare. Advisor to staff and research personnel on animal health, wellbeing, and anticipated health problems. Manage the health status of animals, treating sick or injured animals. Design specific care and safety protocols for biohazardous animals, chemicalhazard animals, or animals requiring specialized or surgical procedures. Provide regular, ongoing, and timely review and evaluation of all Animal Use Project Proposals (AUPPs) including new AUPPs, renewals, amendments, incident reports, protocol deviations, and postapproval monitoring assessments. Advise the ACC on animal care and husbandry issues, including enrichment, endpoints, dispositions, and ethical issues. Oversee and supervise PostApproval Monitoring (PAM) assessments, providing oversight and input into reviews. Manage the rodent breeding program, including transgenics and knockouts, and oversee genetics for proper breeding of genetically modified colonies. Ensure daily care of animals, housing setup, hazardous chemical and pharmaceutical disposal, and monitoring of research studies to confirm humane endpoints and protocol compliance. Ensure researchers follow protocols, SOPs, external animal regulatory guidelines, occupational health and safety, and report protocol violations to supervisor and Veterinarian. Technical Services, Compliance and Quality Assurance Manage technical services for complex and short and longterm research studies conducted by faculty researchers. Provide consultation services and meet with research personnel on technical and procedural issues associated with animal research protocols, including protocol design, required education, training, equipment, and study logistics. Ensure technical service rooms are checked daily and problems addressed immediately. Arrange and/or provide technical animal surgeries and other services; monitor surgical instruments and other apparatus. Arrange purchase, rental, and sharing of technical equipment among researchers; monitor and authorize its use. Maintain a library of technical resource materials for distribution to faculty, staff, and students. Manage the quality assurance and compliance program and oversee regular health monitoring for the animal facilities. Education and Training Ensure assessment and oversight processes are in place for necessary onboarding and training of staff and research personnel prior to work. Onboard and train animal care staff and research personnel in proper practices, procedures, and safety guidelines. Manage the teaching lab and mandated animal user education and training program to ensure competence of facility staff and research staff. Oversee training and monitoring of technical services such as anesthesiology, food restriction, analgesic use, and maintain drug records for each project. Train research personnel and staff on animal nursing practices and postoperative care, and oversee preparation of animals for medical and surgical procedures. Develop and deliver new and ongoing inperson and online training courses. Required Qualifications Education Animal Health Technician (AHT) or Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT). CALAS Certification as a Registered Master Laboratory Animal Technician (RMLAT). Degree in a researchrelated field or advanced diploma involving a research course or project with animals. Degree/diploma in business and/or project management or equivalent extensive experience. Certification from the USA in animal care a strong asset. First aid certification. Experience 10+ years of related animal health technician experience in a postsecondary researchintensive institution. 5+ years laboratory/facility management experience or equivalent. 3+ years staff supervision experience and managing a team. Experience interacting with external agencies and managing multiple projects. Experience working with confidential information both independently and as part of a team. Experience working effectively and efficiently in a complex, fastpaced environment with numerous deadlines and priorities. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Demonstrated ability to juggle supervisory, management, and technical responsibilities. High degree of dedication to animal care and animal welfare. Demonstrated desire to create and maintain a collegial work atmosphere. Proven record of scientific research an asset. Exceptional communication (oral and written) skills, organizational skills, and excellent instruction and presentation skills. Knowledge of provincial, federal, and international regulations for laboratory animal use and facility management. Strong initiative, flexibility, problemsolving, and conflict resolution skills. Strong analytical skills; ability to interpret and apply regulations, policies, and guidelines. Ability to work collegially with a wide variety of people including senior administration, faculty, and students. Wellversed knowledge of regulatory frameworks for animal use and care, including Ontarios Animals for Research Act, Canadian Council on Animal Care Guidelines and Policies, Triagency Frameworks, Responsible Conduct of Research, Triagency Memorandum of Agreement, Canada Food and Drug Act, Human Pathogens and Toxins Act, Controlled Substances Act, Health of Animals Act, and relevant Canadian Food Inspection Agency guidelines and regulations affecting the importation or use of animals in research and teaching. Must have uptodate immunization for Tetanus and Hep B. Valid G class license. Equity and Inclusion Statement The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations. The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, antiracism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Mtis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada. The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at or 5198884567, ext. 45935. #J-18808-Ljbffr