Senior Officer, Animal Care and Use

While this position welcomes applications from the public, please note that preference will be given to current employees at the University of Alberta. Please indicate your internal status using the "Advertisement" drop down menu when applying.

This position is a part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

Working for the University of Alberta 

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Department summary

The Research Ethics Office (REO) provides effective, integrated support for and administration of all aspects of the ethics review and approval process for research involving research, teaching and testing involving animals and human participants.

Position summary 

The Senior Officer, Animal Care and Use supports the University’s research mission by providing animal care and use consultation, advice, support and services to university researchers and their students and staff who use animals in research teaching and testings and administrative units. Drawing on an extensive knowledge of animal care and use issues and requirements in a range of animal models the Consultant works closely with researchers, reviewers, Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) specialists,  and animal care personnel to help investigators use best practices to achieve their academic and scholarly goals. Reporting to the AVP, Research Integrity Support, the position works closely with University Veterinarian, researchers, Strategic Initiatives and Administrative Officer, ACUC Specialists and members and animal facility staff to ensure consistency of review practices across the ACUCs, to improve review practices over time and to manage the Post-Approval Monitoring Program.

As a team leader with with the above noted skills and expertise, the Senior Officer, Animal Care and Use will ensure consistency of standards in the review and management of Animal Use Protocols across the four ACUCs, with respect to University policy, CCAC Guidelines and best practices in the care and use of animals in research, teaching and testing. Successful consistent application of these standards results in: promotion of the 3R’s (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) in the use of animals; enhancement of researchers’ understanding of best, current practices in animal use; risk mitigation for the University from both a compliance and reputational perspective; and support of the institutional goal of ensuring that animal care and use meets the highest standards throughout the University.

Responsibilities:

A senior member of a professional research integrity support team, the Senior Officer, Animal Care and Use provides timely, effective and efficient services in the following areas.

• Researcher Support - The Senior Officer supports and advises researchers and their staff on the preparation of animal use protocols and amendments, which include lab and institutional standard operating procedures, animal care and housing, training requirements and application of the 3Rs. Provision of this expertise and support to researchers will result in better applications and research plans, timely conduct of research, reduced review burden for the ACUCs and improved turn around in the review and approval of ACUC submission.
• ACUC Specialist Leadership and Support – The Senior Officer provides orientation, mentorship and leadership for the ACUC Specialists promoting consistent ACUC and office practices. The position supervises the ACUC Specialists, helps them work through complex and/or problematic protocols and assists with resolution of errors.
• Animal Care and Use Program Support – The Senior Officer is responsible for the development and delivery of a range of activities intended to enhance quality and compliance assurance in the conduct of research, teaching and testing involving animals, following approval by the University's Animal Care and Use Committees. The Senior Officer combines observation, demonstration, education and evaluation/audit functions to encourage continuous improvements in animal use, effectively promoting the highest possible standards for animal welfare and humane treatment at the University and reducing the risk of non-compliance.  Post-Approval Monitoring activities include, but are not limited to, laboratory and animal facility visits and inspections, observation and evaluation of animal manipulations, consultation with research teams and animal facility staff and review of online and other records.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in science or related discipline required, graduate degree and/or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine preferred.
• Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science (CALAS/ACSAL) Registered Laboratory Animal Technician-Master's level certification preferred.
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible relevant job experience with animal care and use in a large, complex research institutional environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge, skills and experience in a range of biomedical and other research methods with different animal models.
• Strong knowledge of/experience with MS Office, Google suite and related administrative tools.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate the following competencies:

• The ability to consistently and effectively apply a high level critical thinking and independent decision-making skills, with consistency and accuracy and a high attention to detail in a fast paced, high volume work environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to build trusting and respectful relationships with Faculty, staff and leaders at all levels.
• Influence skills; ability to build collaborative relationships and gain the trust and respect of Faculty members, animal service unit staff at all levels. Ability to present self in a way that demonstrates confidence and competence and builds trust with stakeholders. Ability to lead stakeholders to consensus regarding Institutional requirements through influence not authority.
• The ability to model and promote current and effective laboratory techniques and behaviour while working in any laboratory or animal facility, on-campus or off.
• Conflict Management; ability to work professionally with animal users who may be non-compliant with Institutional and regulatory requirements. Works collaboratively and respectfully to achieve solutions during any conflict. Knows when conflicts can be managed independently and/or escalate issues appropriately.
• Goal setting, project management and personal leadership: Take initiative and display ability to plan and follow through on long and short term projects effectively with attention to stakeholders interests and sensitivities, organizational culture as well as relevant issues and deadlines.
• Ability to apply a solution focused problem solving approach to understand and resolve complex situations.
• Demonstrated competencies in the areas of: professionalism, results orientation, leadership, organizational understanding, teamwork and flexibility/adaptability.

In accordance with the Administrative and Professional Officer Agreement , this full time continuing position offers a comprehensive benefits package found at Faculty & Staff Benefits and annual salary range of $66,265 - $110,441.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.