Texas A&M University
Classification Specifications

General Description:  Performs a variety of supervisory functions for the Comparative Medicine Program (CMP) care staff in selected areas; assists in fulfilling departmental quality assurance, health and safety and environmental objectives.

Typical:  Provides direct supervision of CMP animal care staff employees, including selection, training, performance appraisal and work allocation, setting goals and objectives consistent with organization goals and develops effective action plans for their achievement; schedules, assigns and inspects work assignments, considering effective allocation of CMP resources when performing day-to-day assignments; interprets and applies the “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals”, the Laboratory Animal Care and Use Policies and Program and all Federal, State and local regulations; appropriately informs and advises research and husbandry staff of regulations and standards relevant to individual research protocols; ensures that CMP records are maintained in conformance to institutional policies and regulatory agency and government directives; observes, implements and clarifies policies, procedures and regulations to facilitate unit/department operations that are consistent with legal and organizational guidelines; maintains policies and procedures meeting Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) criteria and other regulatory requirements; provides special services to investigators including mixing and dispensing special diets, medicating drinking water, providing special housing requirements or assisting with specific restraint and handling procedures; assists in establishing, initiating and overseeing laboratory animal room environmental parameters such as temperature, air exchange and light cycles as they pertain to individual species and research projects; assists with coordination and implementation of CMP animal care staff training and presentation activities; ensures that personnel compliance with CMP and Texas A&M University health and safety regulations, including performing post accident injury investigation, completing documentation and reporting safety of equipment operations; recommends employment and termination decisions; maintains accurate inventories and initiates orders for supplies and equipment as indicated; monitors CMP facility security standards and makes necessary facility recommendations; participates in and/or conducts teaching activities by demonstrating techniques or procedures and ensures records are appropriately maintained; interacts and establishes working relationships and communicates effectively with Texas A&M University research staff and CMP staff; follows established protocols and procedures and ensures compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines concerning quality assurance and laboratory animal care and use; recommends and provides data for CMP per diem rates; may perform a number of high-level paraveterinary procedures including anesthetizing, bleeding, administration of medications by various routes and euthanasia procedures; performs related duties as required.

Received:  General instruction and periodic review from administrative supervisor.

Given:  Detailed initial instruction and frequent review to assigned CMP personnel.

Required:  High school graduation or any equivalent combination of training and experience. Five years laboratory animal care experience with required education or 4.5 years of laboratory animal care experience with any two-year Associate Degree or four years of laboratory animal care experience any four year college degree or American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) certification plus one additional year laboratory animal care experience after receiving certification. Successful completion of a formal Laboratory Animal Science Course may substitute for three months of laboratory animal care experience.

Preferred:  Bachelor's degree. Successful completion of CMP Laboratory Animal Science Course.

Required:  Valid driver's license and good driving record. Must be able to obtain State of Texas class "C" vehicle operator's license within 30 days of employment.

Preferred:  American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) certification

Typical:  Use of autoclave, electric cart, floor scrubber, rack washer, tunnel washer and computer.

Typical:  Demonstrated supervisory ability. Oral and written communication skills. Organizational skills.