Associate Director DCM, Director Facility Operations - Comparative Medicine

Position Summary
This position is responsible for directing, coordinating, and guiding Animal Facility Operations, including logistics, census, material and animal transport, capital and project planning, maintenance of husbandry and veterinary equipment, facility maintenance and renovations, and capital asset management that support the research animal program at a large, multi-species, multi-site AAALAC-accredited animal facility. Ensures that all animals maintained in DCM animal facilities are kept in a safe environment that meets standards as set forth by the University and regulatory agencies.

Job Description

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Directs and manages the facility operations staff to ensure that all animal facilities are maintained and equipped to meet the compliance requirements of all regulatory and accrediting agencies, including USDA, OLAW/NIH, and AAALAC to ensure continual accreditation.
• Responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the DCM fleet of trucks, DCM loading docks, and logistics and transportation of materials and animals between onsite and offsite storage locations. Ensures all staff follow safety rules and procedures and address safety hazards as they arise.
• Participates in planning, implementation and monitoring of  DCM facility upgrades and new construction. Develops long-range plans for replacement of equipment, along with repairs to facility infrastructure, and maintenance program.
• Provides strategic leadership and planning for the capital projects including new construction, renovations, long-range plans for replacement of major equipment, maintenance of animal housing facility infrastructure, and maintenance programs to keep the facilities in “AAALAC site visit-ready” condition at all times. Tracking, renewal, and RFPs for capital assets.
• Oversight of animal facility security access system including badge assignment, card readers, and security cameras.  (Note- federal security clearance as T&R required).
• Works closely with the DCM Business Manager to develop, monitor, and make adjustments in operating levels as necessary to ensure that the function stays on budget and budget targets are met; oversees animal inventory management and logistics associated with receiving animals from commercial vendors and the intra and inter-facility transportation of animals.
• Develops goals and objectives for the facility ops group, individuals, and team to maintain relevant, competitive, and customer service-oriented services, which includes constructive feedback from customers served.
• Continuously improves the program. Meets regularly with key customers to monitor the quality of service and develops action plans to correct areas of deficiency. Develops and ensures implementation, consistent policies, and procedures affecting facility ops employees.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA.
• MLAS or CMAR.
• Completion of ILAM Training.
• Experience with large academic multi-facility operations strongly preferred. 
• Project management experience.
• Demonstrated experience in vivarium design and construction and facility renovations.
• Extensive knowledge as subject matter expert in project management and vivarium environmental and equipment needs.
• Ability to think strategically while maintaining a keen focus on day to day operations.
• Strong people management and team building skills with a focus and experience in staff development.
• Experience with animal research operations technology and information systems.
• In depth knowledge of regulations and guidelines around laboratory animal science with demonstrated experience in running a large program with multiple facilities with a large and diverse staff.
• A demonstrated understanding of budgeting process, accounting practices, and the ability to manage and operate within a defined budget.
• The ability to analyze highly complex problems by integrating information from multiple sources, utilizing creative thinking methodology, and by exercising considerable judgment and resourcefulness to affect a successful outcome.
• Knowledge of the Animal Welfare Act, NIH Guidelines and related federal and state regulations, as well as AAALAC accreditation standards governing the care and use of laboratory animals.
• Highly developed diplomatic and interpersonal skills to work with a diverse population of front-line employees, peers, veterinary staff, research Principal Investigators and their staffs, clinical faculty, university senior management, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, outside agency representatives, approved visitors and with outside organizations at all levels as a representative of Washington University School of Medicine, Division of Comparative Medicine.
• The ability to maintain a high standard of confidentiality due to highly sensitive nature of the department information utilized or accessed.
• Very strong team and customer service-oriented leader with outstanding interpersonal skills and excellent written, oral and presentation communication skills.
• Computer literate, including MS Office and Outlook email.
• Security clearance (NRC and DEA).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field and at least seven years of experience in laboratory animal husbandry/facilities management in a large, complex research environment.
• REQUIRED LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION: AALAS certification as a Laboratory Animal Technologist (LAT) or Certified Manager of Animal Resources (CMAR); OR five additional years of relevant experience.

Grade
G17

Salary Range
$102,900.00 - $181,100.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.

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