Assistant Director of Operations, Vivarium

GENERAL SUMMARY/OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

The Ragon Institute is a highly unique, innovative, and collaborative research center at the forefront of biomedical science. Founded by Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Harvard, the Ragon vision is a bold one: to harness the power of the immune system to prevent and cure human disease on a global scale. This vision is pursued and advanced every day by a group of highly motivated individuals. The Ragon Institute, at every level, depends upon collaboration, compassion, dedication, and innovation. It is a results-oriented organization that seeks people who not only embrace these values but who thrive in teams and want to work in a dynamic environment.

The Ragon Institute is seeking a skilled vivarium manager for the newly opening Ragon Institute. The Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard is a located in the heart of Technology Square in Cambridge. The vivarium is a brand new, state of the art facility. Under the supervision of the Vivarium Director, the Vivarium Manager's primary responsibility is to oversee, provide, and facilitate the day-to-day operations of the animal facility as well as the husbandry and technical staff. The Manager will act as primary liaison for researcher needs. Position requirements include personnel management responsibilities and collaboration with internal and external researchers, outside equipment venders, and service contractors. The Manager will ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, AAALAC accreditation standards, and support research needs of the investigative research staff.

JOB DUTIES:

• Supervise and review work of facility staff including conducting regular performance evaluations, mentoring, training, and career development.
• Actively participate in interviews and selection of qualified vivarium staff; recommend personnel actions, including promotions and raises. Partner with HR to investigate problems and provide timely coaching, training, corrective, and disciplinary actions.
• Ensure accuracy and adherence to SOPs and IACUC protocols.
• Ensure completion of weekly scheduling and coverage.
• Provide emergency animal care or technical coverage as needed.
• Work to troubleshoot equipment problems including automation.
• Manage day-to-day operations of vivarium staff providing animal health checks, husbandry services, and research support services.
• Manage and place animal orders and oversee receipt, transfers, quarantine, and importation/exportation.
• Manage team-based work assignments and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
• Responsible for inventory management, ordering, and receipt of vivarium supplies including food, bedding, enrichment items, chemicals, etc.
• Assist with budgeting and rate setting
• Assist with decision making and emergency backup when Vivarium Director is not available.
• Help with coordination of facility orientation training for new researchers and staff.
• Address and resolve problems or questions from vivarium or investigative staff concerning the facility or animal care.
• Perform investigator outreach to streamline communication between vivarium and research staff.
• Assure all required documentation is maintained. This may include applicable SOPs, animal census, individual animal records, facility maintenance records, sanitation records, animal orders and receipt, inventory management, husbandry duty sign-off sheets.
• Record and compile required data for animal care maintenance, submit work orders for improvements in facility, manage quality control testing and the sentinel program.
• Schedule all required vivarium equipment preventative maintenance and calibration. Schedule and maintain records for equipment certifications.
• Under the direction of the Vivarium Director, develop, write and implement standard operating procedures for the care and enrichment of laboratory animals and the operation of the facility.
• Evaluate animal environments for compliance and site preparedness for regulatory inspections by AAALAC, IACUC, company SOP's, and other relevant agencies.
• Respond to all client requests, inquiries, and concerns about animal care and facilities operations in timely manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum degree and field of knowledge: Bachelor's Degree and LATg Certification

Years experience required: 8+ years' experience

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proficient in verbal and written English communication skills.
• Ability to make decisions regarding daily facility operations and to address situations that arise within the animal research facilities.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision.
• Have a customer-focused attitude and enjoy working with similarly dedicated persons in a team fashion within a collaborative research environment.
• Support a team environment
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft applications including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Familiarity with vivarium software management systems.
• Has an above average understanding of vivarium operations, animal heath issues and treatment, personnel management , and possesses a variety of technical skills i.e.. Injections, blood collection, tissue collection, anesthesia in rodents.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft applications including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• CMAR Certification Preferred

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The ability to work directly with animals (including mice and rats), with no preexisting allergies to animals, hair, dander, or biproducts that would affect ability to work with these animals. Must be able to perform in this environment with exposure to these potential allergens for prolonged periods of time.
• Must be able to walk or stand for a full 8 hour shift.
• The ability to lift 50 lbs., push or pull up to 100 lbs., and perform other physical tasks.
• Must be willing to be fit tested and wear a N95 mask (by being clean shaven for proper and necessary fit) or alternatively, if necessary, a PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirator) as required.
• Ability to work in Biosafety levels up to BSL-3
• Ability to work with biological and chemical hazards
• May occasionally need to report to work in the event of a disaster, or weather-related event, if necessary
• This position is considered essential. May be required to work on weekends, holidays, and off hours.

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.