Animal Facility Manager
About The Position
The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. (RFMH) is seeking an Animal Facility Manager for the Department of Comparative Medicine at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. The AAALAC International-accredited program houses rodents in approximately 30,000 square feet and is supported by four supervisors and ten animal care technicians. The manager oversees daily animal husbandry, facility management, and operational activities, and is directly accountable for facility operations. The position reports to the DCM Director/Attending Veterinarian and provides leadership and supervision to floor supervisors and animal care staff. The manager is also a primary contact for disaster planning, emergency response, and facility renovations. The manager develops training materials and Standard Operating Procedures, provides on-the-job training, and coordinates with internal and external partners. The role includes operational, staff, budget, inventory, software, regulatory compliance, safety, and renovation responsibilities. The position is based at 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032. Salary: $116,994–$139,388.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and directly related experience.
- At least seven years of experience in laboratory animal facility operations.
- At least four years of direct supervisory experience managing animal care personnel.
- At least three years of experience overseeing facility HVAC systems and equipment maintenance and repair activities.
- LATG certification through AALAS or equivalent certification, such as CALAS RMLAT or AALAS CMAR. LAT certification is acceptable if LATG is obtained within 12 months of hire; candidates with a DVM may instead obtain AALAS certification within one year of hire.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills, strong organizational and administrative capabilities, experience with vivarium renovations, experience overseeing facility systems and equipment maintenance and repairs, and ability to work effectively with internal and external partners.
Nice To Haves
- DVM, or MS or PhD in laboratory animal science or a related field.
- Certified Manager of Animal Resources (CMAR) through AALAS.
- Demonstrated experience evaluating and implementing automated operational technology platforms.
- Experience with Tick@Lab or comparable vivarium census management software.
- Strong technical proficiency with HVAC systems, cage wash equipment, and facility environmental monitoring tools.
Responsibilities
- Direct and manage daily husbandry and facility operations, including sanitation and maintenance of animal housing rooms, equipment, and support areas, in compliance with applicable animal care regulations and standards.
- Oversee sanitation equipment, including cage/rack washers and autoclaves, in coordination with staff.
- Monitor HVAC systems and facility monitoring reports, and coordinate corrective action with engineering when conditions deviate from established standards.
- Maintain the facility disaster plan, coordinate emergency staff coverage, plan for emergency preparedness and disaster response, and participate in the after-hours and weekend on-call rotation.
- Direct, mentor, and evaluate floor supervisors and animal care technicians, including preparing written performance programs and evaluations.
- Oversee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, promotions, performance reviews, salary adjustments, disciplinary actions, and terminations.
- Provide staff feedback, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
- Assist with departmental budget planning, operational projections, and cost-control measures.
- Manage husbandry inventory, forecast supply needs, and ensure efficient use of resources.
- Assist with vendor contracts, service agreements, and equipment procurement.
- Oversee operational implementation and use of Tick@Lab in partnership with the Administrative Coordinator, who manages day-to-day census data and vendor support.
- Develop, review, revise, and enforce husbandry-related SOPs and work instructions; develop training materials and provide on-the-job training.
- Assist with preparations for regulatory and accreditation site visits.
- Participate in IACUC semiannual facility inspections and track corrective actions to completion.
- Collaborate with NYSPI Security, Safety Engineering, Infection Control, Environmental Health & Safety, and Occupational Health offices.
- Assist with planning and oversight of facility renovation and construction projects.
- Communicate with faculty and research staff, address concerns, and implement operational solutions.
Benefits
- Excellent Benefits Package. Employees of the Research Foundation do not receive state fringe benefits.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
