Program Assistant III - Office of Lab Animal Resources

The Office of Lab Animal Resources at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Program Assistant III

About the Opportunity

• Provides reception, secretarial, and administrative support for of the Office of Laboratory Animal Resources at WVU.
• Responsible for purchasing most animals used for research at WVU, as well as purchasing and keeping inventory of animal care supplies and facility maintenance supplies and equipment, including feed, bedding, PPE, etc. Involves negotiating vendor quotes, managing orders, confirmations, and deliveries, notifying biohazard pickup. Collecting animal inventory sheets for OLAR accountant, as well as providing other support functions within OLAR administrative office. The person in this position must have excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong organizational skills; the ability to multi-task; the ability to work independently or with a group; strong basic clinical knowledge and skills, and the desire & ability to know a range of animal species housed at WVU for ordering purposes.
• Responsible for coordinating and managing Import/Export of animals for all Investigators across campus.
• Maintaining training records.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 15 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Animal purchasing: Requires knowledge of species, strains, vendors. Involves maintaining contact information for vendors and investigators, monitoring protocols and recording animal usage, contacting vendors for health status, quotes, orders, cancellations, confirmations, deliveries. Involves coordinating with OLAR for room availability, special instructions, scheduling of deliveries.
• Responsible for coordinating and managing Import/Export of animals from non-approved vendor sources into quarantine. This may require receiving these animals if needed.
• Generating corresponding cage cards.
• Purchase and inventory of animal care and facility maintenance supplies and equipment:
• Responsible for purchasing feed, bedding, enrichment, sanitation testing supplies, caging, PPE, cleaning supplies, waste bags & containers, filters, equipment, replacement parts, mask, etc. and keeping weekly inventories. Involves researching prices with vendors, setting up non-contract vendor accounts, returns.
• Also responsible for maintaining records of respirator fit-testing of OLAR and research staff and updating annually.
• Maintain training documenting and maintaining training files for all OLAR employee
• Receiving and reviewing room census information for animal quarters. Ensuring this information is sent to OLAR finance
• Participate in animal census counting.
• Tracking animal usage and contact PI's when they have come close to their approval use.
• Track animal census monthly
• Responsible for notifying OLAR staff of biohazard waste pickup. Collecting animal inventory sheets for OLAR accountant, miscellaneous support tasks within the OLAR administrative office. Pick up mail.
• Other relevant duties as assigned, necessary to fulfil the mission of OLAR.

Pay Grade: 15

• Associate's Degree
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience involving:
  
  
  
  • Office experience
  • Marketplace and P-Card purchases, vendors
  
  
  
  
• Experience and be proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excell, Access, PowerPoint) and SharePoint.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to read and write in English, perform basic mathematical calculations, and operate computer program
• Ability to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, meet standards and workloads, maintain consistent attendance
• Ability to work independently and as part of team in a collegial and professional manner
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, ability to follow and provide oral and written instruction
• Ability to work and negotiate with vendors and represent WVU with professionalism
• Skilled in effective and oral communication with researchers, co-workers, and vendor
• Ability to work and approve requisitions in Marketplace
• Ability to communicate with OLAR staff.
• Excellent organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Animal research experience

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and engaging working environment and actively seek candidates who bring diverse ideas, approaches and experiences.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. We value diversity among our faculty, staff and students and invite applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.