Associate Director of the Office of Animal Resources

20-Dec-2023

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

63873BR

Job Summary

Harvard University is seeking an Associate Director of the Office of Animal Resources (OAR) at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) at its Cambridge campus (http://www.fas.harvard.edu/ ).  The Office of Animal Resources comprises both the husbandry and veterinary care of animals resident at the Cambridge campus as well as the administrative roles related to the function of the Harvard University/Faculty of Arts & Sciences (HU/FAS) Standing Committee on the Use of Animals in Research and Teaching (Harvard's institutional animal care and use committee [IACUC]). This position reports to the Director of OAR, who reports to the Dean of Administration and Finance. Reporting to this position are two animal care supervisory staff and indirectly, approximately 20 animal care and operations technicians. This position will work closely with all OAR staff, both administrative and animal care and the IACUC Administration staff.

Position Description

• Oversight and management of day-to-day operations of the FAS Office of Animal Resources animal facilities. Examples include ensuring, through supervision, that animals are safe, well-cared-for, equipment is running properly, and supplies are on hand. Active participation in ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations on animal welfare. Supporting current accreditation standards.
• Management of supervisory staff who are responsible for animal care technician hiring, training, and the resolution of disciplinary issues. These staff management duties include interviewing, hiring, training, assigning work, and conducting regular performance management including disciplinary action up through termination as needed. 
• Provision of veterinary care and preventive medicine through clinical rounds and direct surveillance of animal research colonies including on-call weekend rotation.
• Assisting in the development and delivery of animal research facility programs and projects operated in compliance with federal and state regulations and AAALAC accreditation standards.
• Serve as voting member of the IACUC. Provision of IACUC protocol review and veterinary consultation of animal experimentation protocols with research laboratory personnel.
• Write and review veterinary standard operating procedures and assist in the development of program policy (e.g., prefilled IACUC procedures, recommendations of doses and drugs for anesthesia and analgesia).
• Develop content and participate in training for staff and researchers. Trainings would include, but not be limited to various components of proper animal use in research, such as handling, surgery, post-surgical care, and sample collection.

Basic Qualifications

• DVM degree
• Eligibility for USDA accreditation in MA, board certified in laboratory animal medicine. 
• At least 5 years of supervisory experience, managing a diverse staff, and showing increasing responsibilities over the managerial experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills, and strong writing, communication, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to train, motivate, and supervise both laboratory animal technicians, as well as administrative staff.
• Familiar with computer software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and various database systems.
• Fiscal responsibilities will include maximizing department resources and developing appropriate control of departmental expenses.
• Familiarity with operational aspects of a rodent vivarium, including automated watering systems, sterilization equipment, and cage washing equipment.

Physical Requirements

• Able to lift up to 25 pounds with frequent lifting, pushing, pulling and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Able to push and pull heavy equipment on wheels.
• Able to perform repetitive motions.
• Able to perform in a workplace environment with exposure to animals, animal dander, animal byproducts, and bedding materials.

Working Conditions

• This position will involve work in an animal housing facility. See physical requirements for details.
• The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.
  

Additional Information

Harvard University is an academic institute with a robust and diverse research program that conducts clinical, population, translational, and basic biomedical research.  The OAR provides state-of-the-art animal facilities and along with other core resources such as an in-house genome modification facility, several imaging facilities, and sequencing facilities creates a dynamic academic research environment that fosters the development of cutting edge research programs.
All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

We regret that Harvard University does not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

392190 Researchr,Phys/Med/Basc Sci Sr

Department

Office of Animal Resources

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Criminal, Education, Identity

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.