Research Associate Animal Care Supervisor

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: over 1 year ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 03 Oct 2022

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Research Associate Animal Care Supervisor
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Is this position eligible for hybrid or remote work? No
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202201495AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Research Associate II
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $42,000 - $58,000
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ & https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ .
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 10/03/2022
Description of Work Unit
The mission of Laboratory Animal Resources is to use our expertise to provide the highest standard of care for laboratory animals in support of the Colorado State University research community. This position fulfills a vital role in the administration of LAR to carry out this mission.
CSU LAR manages over 58,000 ft2 of AAALAC accredited research animal facilities on three campuses; main campus, south campus and foothills campus. Research and teaching activities supported by LAR include; infectious disease research at BSL3 including work with select agents, cancer biology, nutrition and metabolism studies, orthopedic research, therapeutics, toxicology and teaching activities to support a diverse program of learning. LAR exists to provide state-of-the-art care and support for the animal model component of these studies. This is a full-time, 12 month, administrative professional position that will be integral to facilitating research activities.
Position Summary
The Animal Care Supervisor is responsible for the daily operations of multiple facilities including personnel management and the supervision of facilities and materials to ensure that LAR operations are facilitating exceptional research. The supervisor provides excellent customer service to researchers and their staff and works with LAR supervisors, veterinarians, and staff to facilitate seamless departmental functions. This position collaborates with other CSU departments including Biosafety Office, Research Integrity and Compliance Review Office, and Facilities Management to maintain safe and functional facilities as well as ensuring that LAR meets all applicable laws and regulations.
The animal husbandry work required of this position is physical, and entails standing, bending, lifting, and carrying up to 50 pounds, and repetitive motions. The animal care staff works in various environments including outdoors, close quarters, increased heat and humidity and dusty surroundings. Some of the research at CSU involves infectious diseases. We ensure biosecurity and the safety of our staff by requiring personal protective equipment (such as respirators and Tyvek suits), tuberculosis testing, vaccinations and showering. CSU has a large variety of animal species, and the Animal Care Supervisor must be willing and able to work with all types of animals. LAR employees are expected to work safely, and adhere to all safety instructions and rules at all times.
Required Job Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • 3 years of animal husbandry experience
  • Experience training staff
  • Computer literacy including MS Office programs
  • Must have a valid driver’s license and pass a yearly motor vehicle check
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • 5 years of professional animal husbandry experience
  • Experience supervising staff
  • Experience working in a BSL3 environment
  • Experience working with a wide variety of animal species in a biomedical research setting
  • Experience writing documents such as SOPs, forms, signs, policies, etc.
  • Experience developing training programs
  • AALAS certification at the LAT, LATg, or CMAR level
Diversity Statement
•Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Staff Supervision
Duty/Responsibility
The Animal Care Supervisor oversees the work of the animal care staff. This includes participating in search committees, scheduling work hours, managing leave and timesheet approvals, conducting performance reviews, providing coaching, promoting professional development, and participating in conflict resolutions and progressive discipline processes. The supervisor monitors the work of employees by routinely inspecting animal facilities and animal husbandry documentation. The supervisor schedules, conducts, and disseminates minutes for routine staff meetings. This position also participates in the weekend on-call rotation for animal care escalations. All CSU supervisors are required to complete the Supervisor Development Program which consists of several classes on a variety of leadership topics.
Percentage Of Time 45
Job Duty Category Research Support
Duty/Responsibility
The Animal Care Supervisor performs a variety of administrative tasks relevant to support of animal research at LAR. These duties include managing incoming animal orders, authorizing transfer requests, and submitting work orders when needed. Assigning, scheduling, and prepping animal rooms within the facilities research space, and updating room procedure signage and instructions are also part of the superior’s responsibilities as well as monitoring inventory and maintaining records.
Percentage Of Time 20
Job Duty Category Training
Duty/Responsibility
This position assists with the identification and management of opportunities for staff trainings. This includes writing and revising SOP’s and other training documents, developing and assisting with animal husbandry training for new employees and delivering ongoing husbandry training at meetings when needed. The supervisor may also be responsible for delivering specialized biosafety training as required by the biosafety handbook, NIH or USDA Guidelines, the CDC Select Agent Program, DOT/IATA or as directed by the IBC.
Percentage Of Time 20
Job Duty Category Animal Husbandry and Sanitation
Duty/Responsibility
The Animal Care Supervisor will participate in a variety of animal husbandry activities to provide coverage when needed due to staff absences, and to maintain skills and knowledge. The supervisor must be competent to perform all activities required of their staff. This includes providing food, water and enrichment, administering medical treatments, cleaning cages or stalls, monitoring animal welfare and environmental parameters and reporting any abnormalities, receiving and delivering animals, and running cage wash equipment.
Percentage Of Time 15

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
For full consideration, please apply by 10/03/2022 with a cover letter that addresses the required and preferred job qualifications, a resume and the contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License
Search Contact [email protected]
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

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