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 operations, and is accountable for operational functions while leading and supervising floor supervisors and animal care staff. The role reports to the DCM Director/Attending Veterinarian. The manager is a primary contact for disaster planning, emergency response, and facility renovations. They develop training materials and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and provide on-the-job training for floor supervisors and animal care technicians. The role requires strong communication, organization, and administrative skills; experience with vivarium renovations and facility systems and equipment maintenance and repairs; and effective collaboration with internal and external partners, including engineering, Human Resources, safety offices, faculty, and research staff.
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.
- Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) certification through AALAS or equivalent certification (e.g., CALAS RMLAT or AALAS CMAR). LAT certification is acceptable if LATG is obtained within 12 months of hire; candidates with a DVM may obtain AALAS certification within one year of hire.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills and strong organizational and administrative capabilities.
- Experience with vivarium renovations and overseeing facility systems and equipment maintenance and repairs.
- Ability to work effectively with internal and external partners, including engineering, Human Resources, safety offices, faculty, and research staff.
Nice To Haves
- DVM, or MS or PhD in laboratory animal science or a related field.
- Certified Manager of Animal Resources (CMAR) certification 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 day-to-day animal husbandry and facility operations, including the sanitation and maintenance of animal housing rooms, equipment, and support areas, in compliance with applicable standards and regulations.
- 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 parameters deviate from established standards.
- Maintain the facility disaster plan, coordinate staff coverage during emergencies, 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 ongoing feedback, coaching, and professional development opportunities for staff.
- Assist with departmental budget planning, operational projections, and cost-control measures.
- Manage husbandry inventory, forecast supply needs, and ensure efficient resource utilization.
- 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 daily census data and vendor support.
- Develop, review, revise, and enforce husbandry-related SOPs and work instructions.
- Assist with preparations for regulatory agency and accreditation body 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.
- Develop training materials and deliver on-the-job training for new and existing floor supervisors and animal care technicians.
Benefits
- Excellent Benefits Package.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
