Animal Facility ManagerVillanova University

The Animal Facilities Manager is responsible for overseeing all operational activities and facility personnel associated with Villanova’s animal facilities and managing day-to-day operations of the facilities. This role includes hiring and supervising animal care workers, managing animal husbandry, training staff and students on facility procedures, and working collaboratively with faculty investigators and the IACUC to facilitate research in accordance with approved protocols and regulatory standards. The position plays a crucial role in maintaining the welfare of animals used in research, as well as supporting researchers with their facility needs.

Note: This position may require occasional work on weekends/after hours and some holidays.

Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.

Animal Care Facility Operations Management
Directs all operations associated with the housing, handling, health, and care procedures involving live vertebrate animals in Villanova University animal facilities. Develops and implements schedules for equipment maintenance, cage changing, and sanitizing of equipment, rooms, and corridors, without undue disruption to experimental schedules. Maintains the facility’s infrastructure and equipment by initiating requests to University Facilities Management Office or to outside vendors, as appropriate. Orders feed, bedding, and supplies and maintains sufficient inventories to meet the needs of the animal care area.

Supervision of Animal Care Staff
Hires and supervises part-time/student animal care workers. Manages personnel schedules ensuring coverage for daily animal observations, including scheduling for coverage during holidays and planned closures and for emergency support after-hours and during unexpected closures.

Animal Care, Health Monitoring, and Regulatory Recordkeeping
Ensures that daily care procedures and routine health checks are provided for all animals, and alerts Attending or Secondary Veterinarian and principal investigator of any animal illness or injury. Maintains records of animal care in compliance with IACUC and external regulatory requirements. Assists with training in animal care, handling, and housing, as needed.

Researcher Engagement and Regulatory Compliance Coordination
Actively engages and consults with faculty researchers, including the Psychological & Brain Sciences Vivarium committee, to maintain open communication on evolving animal care needs. Works directly with the IACUC and the Office of Research Protections to ensure facility infrastructure and procedures are in compliance with regulatory and ethical standards.

Development and Enforcement of Standard Operating Procedures
Develops standard operating procedures for use of the facilities. Enforces policies, regulations, and guidelines.

Emergency Planning and Response Preparedness
Develops emergency plans and strategies for their implementation, in consultation with Environmental Health and Safety, Public Safety, Facilities Management, researchers, and the IACUC.

Other duties as assigned

• Tools, machinery and equipment used: carbon dioxide and oxygen tanks, cage washing equipment, and other specialized equipment as required for the treatment and care of the animals; computer, telephone, copier and other standard office equipment and software including Word, Excel, and Power Point as well as protocol management systems.
• Environmental conditions: (any unusual/adverse conditions such as exposure to chemicals, noise, illumination, air quality, weather exposure etc.) Exposure to animal allergens. Exposure to laboratory chemicals or food allergens is possible. Employees in this position will participate in an occupational health surveillance program.
• Physical requirements: (items such as lifting, pushing, pulling, standing or sitting for extended periods of time, manual dexterity, walking etc.) Indoor position with manual labor and required to work on-site. Frequent lifting must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. and push and pull heavy loads of equipment. Typically standing or walking including on slippery surfaces, intermittently stooping, crouching, bending, wearing personal protective equipment when needed (gloves, eye protection, masks and/or respirators).
• Other: Ability to work on weekends/after hours and some holidays.

This position falls within salaried grade 15 and the range is $75,400-83,800. The final salary will be determined with consideration of several factors including the selected candidate’s qualifications, department budget availability, market data, and internal equity.