Manager, Facilities Operations

The Department of Comparative Medicine provides housing professional and technical services for laboratory animal care veterinary medical care animal research project support and genetically engineered model development and preservation for the OHSU research community and research animals housed throughout the OHSU Central and Waterfront campus.

Under the guidance of the Associate Director the Manager Facilities Operations Comp Med oversees the daily operations of Department of Comparative Medicines animal facilities and the husbandry and facilities staff on the Marquam Hill and South Waterfront (MHSW) Campuses.

This position leads manages and mentors the Husbandry and Operations Managers and the department training team. The position serves as an integral part of the departments leadership structure and instrumental in contributing to intra and inter-departmental process and strategic communication to ensure high functionality of departmental operations. The Manager Facilities Operations Comp Med provides direct daily support to the Associate Director and Director.

This position interfaces with all departmental members and members of the OHSU research community.

Oversight of DCM Husbandry Facilities and Training Team Operations

• Directly leads manages and mentors two DCM managers (Operations Manager and Husbandry Manager).
• Directly leads manages and mentors the DCM training team.
• Provides team member mentoring coaching and professional development opportunities/guidance.
• Conducts 1:1 meetings annual performance reviews and is directly responsible for preparing and updating job descriptions annual employee evaluations provides recommendations on annual contract renewals promotions reclassifications salary adjustments etc.
• Assists Managers in disciplinary processes and other HR and union-related issues.
• Develops and implements operational management methods and performance standards for direct and indirect reports.

DCM Animal Facilities Oversight

• High-level management of DCM animal facilities on the MHSW campuses including facility infrastructures equipment space workflows and personnel.
• Recommend and facilitate the design of animal housing and the upgrading and renovation of animal caging/housing systems and support facilities.
• Participate in planning and design of new animal facilities and remodel projects.
• Participate in regular walkthroughs of all animal facilities.
• Coordinates research needs with appropriate animal facility/room space and resources.
• Collaborate with DCM Operations Manager to prioritize facility and equipment repairs.
• Coordination of housing caging environmental alterations for study related needs.

Strategic Planning

• Oversees space occupancy and allocation and census for short- and long-term animal facility housing planning.
• Maintains a strong working knowledge of OHSU policies and procedures and develops strategies for implementation.
• Budgetary planning.

Additional Responsibilities

• Manages and schedules department level annual training.
• Consults with managers and staff on essential topics for departmental annual training.
• Organizes and conducts meetings to coordinate and review new projects.
• Serves on special projects as needed.
• Assist in providing animal husbandry and facilities team support as needed.
• Participates in the facilities team on-call rotation.
• Serves on the University Research & Academics Emergency Management Committee (RAEMC).
• Assure compliance with regulatory requirements (IACUC PHS-OLAW USDA AAALAC USF&W).
• Participates in IACUC facility inspections and manages departmental follow-up.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelors degree in any discipline.
• 8 years of experience in laboratory animal care AND
• 5 years of experience in a supervisory or managerial role with direct reports.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• In-depth knowledge and skills for working complex animal care and use program including husbandry and facility care for a large and diverse animal population.
• Thorough knowledge of federal state and local regulations pertaining to laboratory animals.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Strong decision-making skills based on thorough analysis and consistent with organizational/departmental policies guidelines and SOPs.
• Ability to lead and organize people to perform tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to mentor and direct a team.
• Effective interpersonal skills to work with a diverse workforce.
• Open to professional growth and development.
• Clear and concise writing skills.
• Experienced in process improvement.
• Comfort with digital communication software platforms cloud sharing and other digital workflow software systems in addition to standard Microsoft applications.
• Open to growth with digital technology advancements.

Licenses and Certifications

• American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) - Laboratory Animal Technologist level (LATg).
• Current Oregon or Washington State drivers license.

• Bachelors degree in an animal related field.
• 10 years of experience in a managerial role of an animal care program with direct reports.
• Work experience in a union environment.
• Experience with vivarium design and construction.
• Oversight of facility systems and equipment maintenance and repairs.
• Experience managing at a medium to large scale academic research institution.
• Experience managing and writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Registered Laboratory AALAS Animal Technologist (RLATg).
• AALAS Certified Manager of Laboratory Animal Resources (CMAR).
• Completion of the AALAS Institute for Laboratory Animal Manager (ILAM) Course.

Work location is within a functional vivarium. Required to handle animals that have the potential to bite scratch or harbor zoonotic diseases. Occupational exposure to chemical biological and radioactive material. The position requires work on weekends and non-business hours.