CMP Technical Services Specialist II

Job Title

CMP Technical Services Specialist II

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Comparative Medicine Program

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & identities. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Who We Are

The Comparative Medicine Program (CMP) enhances excellence in research and teaching at Texas A&M through high quality animal care. We provide a variety of services to researchers at the university through standard and specialized facilities. These services include the procurement of animals and animal husbandry supplies, provision of veterinary care, use of CMP surgical facilities, a polyclonal antibody production service, technical support services, and animal use training services. To learn more, visit https://vpr.tamu.edu/manage-research/cmp .

What We Want

The CMP is currently in search of a CMP Technical Services Specialist II to assist in ensuring that service goals related to research, husbandry and veterinary needs (laboratory animal health and well being) are consistently met, providing paraveterinary health care as well as assurance health for CMP maintained research animals. The ideal candidate will possess an Associate’s degree in related field or any equivalent combination of education and experience, along with a minimum four years of progressively responsible experience in a biomedical research environment, with a strong emphasis on animal health. We are looking for a candidate who thrives in a fast-paced environment, excels in providing exceptional customer service and demonstrates the ability to prioritize and successfully complete varied tasks. If the description sounds interesting to you, we invite you to apply to be considered for this opportunity to join our team.

What You Need To Know

Compensation will be commensurate to selected hire’s experience

A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

• Associates degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Four years of related experience, which includes two years of experience in a clinical veterinary environment

• Successful completion of a formal laboratory animal science course may substitute for three months of laboratory animal care experience

Required Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid driver license and good driving record

• Must be able to obtain State of Texas class "C" vehicle driver license within 30 days of employment

• Successful completion of a minimum of 3 CMP Laboratory Animal Science Courses within the first year of employment

• Successful completion of Barrier Colony Management, Good Laboratory Practices and SBAT training within first 6 months of employment

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Competent oral and written communication skills and organizational skills

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others

• Ability to cultivate and maintain professional working relationships with people

Preferred Qualifications:

• Successful completion of CMP Laboratory Animal Science Course

• Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) or Animal Health Technician (AHT) certification, or American Association for laboratory Animal Science Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) certification

• Four years of progressively responsible experience in a biomedical research environment with a strong emphasis on animal health

• Two years of experience in a clinical veterinary environment. Successful completion of a formal laboratory animal science course may substitute for three months of laboratory animal care experience

Responsibilities

• TRAINING AND STAFF ASSISTANCE- Instructs group animal handling workshops and one on one technical training sessions. Assists with instruction during surgical short course and Blinn vet tech course sessions. Prepares and distributes certificates as needed for completed trainings. Trains Investigators and their technicians in the use of the inhalant anesthesia machine and approved euthanasia techniques. Assures adequate number of animals for the training program. Assists training supervisor by teaching new CMP hires animal handling procedures when needed.

• ANIMAL HEALTH-Performs activities as directed related to para-veterinary health care procedures. Drives to various CMP facilities to assist with preventative medicine programs including but not limited to submissions of live/dead animals, tissue samples and cell culture specimens. Assists with animal health treatments ensuring clinical health records are complete and current. Establishes working relationships and communicates effectively with Texas A&M University research staff and CMP staff.

• TECHNICAL SERVICES- Drives to various CMP facilities to assist with technical services involving CMP core procedures including but not limited to injections, blood collection, anesthesia, and tissue collections. Assists with surgical and post-surgical monitoring and care assistance procedures. Records technical service work in a log to be billed out monthly.

• COLONY MANAGEMENT-Drives to various CMP facilities to assist the breeding colony manager with the daily care of breeding colonies, selection of new breeders based on expressed goals of the investigators and maintaining breeding records. Performs activities related to: research animal breeding colony management.

• ANIMAL SHIPPING AND RECEIVING-Assists with procurement procedures with CMP staff and investigators placing the orders and receiving newly acquired laboratory animals and research animal transfers between non-approved vendors or institutions, both domestic and international. Includes driving to other facilities to pack or unpack animals for transport as well as transporting the animals to other facilities. Coordinates with shipping couriers to schedule pickup and delivery of animals. Submits billing paperwork to administrative staff.

• QUALITY ASSURANCE- Drives to various CMP facilities to assist with quality control testing for the CMP cage washers, autoclaves, water bottles and water purification, treatment and distribution systems, and room sanitation. Organizes and executes Rodent Health Surveillance (RHS) program including gathering animal numbers and locations, collecting and submitting samples, and replacing, adding, or removing animals from the RHS program.

• RECORDS AND AREA MAINTENANCE- Creates and maintains animal health records and training records. Updates and inputs data into logs or databases. Maintains an acceptable level of cleanliness and organization in areas the Health Division oversees such as surgery, pharmacy, or the health lab. Ensures equipment is in working order and inventory levels are adequate. Review and create SOPs as assigned.

Why Texas A&M University? 

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & identities.  Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes. 

• Health , dental , vision , life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays 

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave  and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month

• Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas 

• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time

• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning  training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more 

• Employee Tuition Assistance and Educational Release time   for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.