Research Animal Resources (RAR) is hiring for the position of Animal Care Manager. This position will be responsible for supervising and directing the activities of approximately half of the department's 10 animal care supervisors in collaboration with a second Animal Care Manager. Together, the Animal Care Managers and Supervisors oversee a team of nearly 100 people responsible for the care of laboratory animals across the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. This management role is intended to provide another level of support to the supervisors and staff in the department, ensuring all safety, sanitation, and research requirements are followed and that the needed resources (human, facilities, and equipment) are available. The manager will also be asked to lead and oversee various husbandry-related projects.
The work duties for this position are complex and varied and will require the interpretation of technical and detailed guidelines, policies, and procedures. Analytical ability is needed to gather and interpret data and information to aid in making decisions regarding refining methods, processes, and techniques used to maintain high quality animal care and customer service. Innovation, critical thinking, and problem solving are an essential underlying part of the job duties described within this posting. Also, a balanced commitment to the employees, animals and management must be maintained.
This position reports to the RAR Assistant Director of Operations.
Duties/Responsibilities:
50% - Direct supervision of the animal care supervisors
Supervise and direct the work of 5-7 animal care supervisors
Plan training/cross-training of staff to ensure standard, consistent operations across all RAR animal facilities
Ensure staff implement proper and consistent husbandry care for all species & areas within RAR
Create and maintain work schedules (including weekend/holidays) and work with team to cover work during employee absences
Provide performance feedback, both immediate and at annual performance reviews.
Mentor employees to further career goals and support continued educational and certification opportunities
Ensure direct reports have the resources, training, and support needed to be effective, supportive supervisors for their direct reports
Share weekend and on call responsibilities as needed
Ensure all animal care billing is completed in a timely fashion
Investigate and resolve HR issues for labor represented employees
Determine appropriate staffing levels and communicate needs with Associate Director of Operations and co-manager
Coordinate personnel resources in collaboration with co-manager to cover needs of the department
Hiring manager for animal care supervisor positions as needed
25% - Oversight/Management of Equipment and Facilities
Work with animal care supervisors to understand acute and long-term facility and equipment needs
Communicate needs with Assistant Director of Operations
Ensure animal care supervisors have the appropriate knowledge and training to ensure proper maintenance and minor repairs on equipment and in their facility, as well as alerting the Facilities Maintenance team as appropriate
Develop and maintain a system for understanding and monitoring facility utilization, including forecasts and investigator requests, while ensuring that census activities and cage card management are conducted as timely and efficiently as possible
15% - Project Management and Project Oversight
Lead husbandry-related projects as assigned by supervisor
Collaborate with colleagues to drive initiatives forward from idea through implementation.
Ensure all husbandry working teams have the correct support
5% - Develop and maintain cross unit communication and relationships within RAR
Maintain effective communication with the RAR Training, Operations (Business and Animal-related), and Veterinary Services teams
Identify improvement opportunities regarding communication and bring ideas to managers and senior leaders
Provide mentorship and resolve conflict professionally without the need for escalation
5% - Other duties as assigned by the manager or leadership
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through this link - https://hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/354994. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.
Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).
Employment Requirements
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to report complete vaccination against COVID-19 or submit documentation requesting a medical or religious exemption on their first day of employment. To learn more, please visit the University's COVID-19 Response webpage.
Working at the University
At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.
The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Scholarship
Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
University HSA contributions
Disability and employer-paid life insurance
Employee wellbeing program
Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
Financial counseling services
Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.
The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.
Employment Requirements
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment
Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to report complete vaccination against COVID-19 or submit documentation requesting a medical or religious exemption on their first day of employment. To learn more, please visit the University's COVID-19 Response webpage.
Required Qualifications:
BA/BS degree plus at least 5 years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least 9 years
Direct managerial experience of employees, >2 year in duration
Preferred Qualifications:
Direct managerial experience with bargaining unit employees
Supervisory experience in the laboratory animal industry
ALAT or higher certification through AALAS
Hands-on experience working with multiple research animal species
Thorough understanding of cage wash and vivarium sanitation operations
Excellent communication skills and experience working in a university setting with diverse staff, laboratory researchers and research models
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities necessary to be successful in position:
Possess communication, independence and leadership skills needed to interact with veterinary technician employees, professional staff, other technical and administrative staff, and husbandry operations staff
Ability to work collaboratively with co-manager in making consistent and harmonized management decisions
Ability to delegate appropriately as needed
Ability to work and think independently to produce quality work and to encourage the same quality work from employees
Interest in mentoring, teaching, and cross-training staff to promote professional growth of employees
A thorough knowledge of animal welfare regulations related to areas in the Preferred Qualifications
Working knowledge of generally accepted laboratory animal husbandry practices and the ability to work collaboratively with operations and husbandry supervisors and animal care technicians to promote advances in animal care and research
Excellent attention to details, analytical thinking skills, resourcefulness, ingenuity, project organization, and management skills
Computer skills necessary to learn and use current RAR electronic systems and to adapt to new software programs as they are implemented
Experience with conflict management and the ability to deescalate difficult situations
Must be flexible, resilient, change-agile, forward-thinking, and motivated to succeed in RAR’s mission
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.