CCM ACT Supervisor

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Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

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At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary
The CCM Animal Care Technician (ACT) Supervisor leads the day-to-day facility oversight and operations within the Centre for Comparable Medicine (CCM). The incumbent is responsible for a team of technicians. The position interacts and liaises with Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT) Supervisor, Project Manager, RVTs, UBC researchers, veterinarians and vendors. This position may involve performing and participating in multiple comprehensive research projects at the Centre for Comparative Medicine.

The position requires understanding and interpreting the Canadian Council on Animal Care regulations and guidelines (CCAC), which governs the care and use of research animals in Canada. This position will also require extensive education, training and experience in overseeing a University animal care facility including specialized knowledge in animal husbandry for small, large and bio-hazardous animals, in addition to highly skilled and in-depth technical knowledge of equipment.

Organizational Status
Reports to the CCM Operations Manager. Works closely with the Project Manager, RVT Supervisor, RVTs and Clinical Veterinarians. Liaises with researchers and their teams, as well as the ACS Business Team.

CCM is a multi-species facility specialized in supporting animal research at UBC through surgical support, training, diagnostic and pathology support as well as housing. As part of UBC Animal Care Services (ACS), the largest animal care program in Western Canada and the second largest in Canada, CCM is responsible for providing research support to the animal-based research community associated with the University of British Columbia and its affiliates through its veterinary services team, the compliance team, the training team, the procurement team and its facilities. ACS is committed to providing excellence in research support to all UBC researchers with accountability, communication, cooperation, customer service and integrity. ACS reports to the Vice President Research & Innovation.

Work Performed
The CCM ACT Supervisor leads a team of technicians who have day-to-day responsibility for animal care. This team performs animal care and ensures the proper discharge of daily tasks and technical procedures as requested by the CCM Operations Manager, Project Manager, Veterinarians or Principal Investigators.

Responsibilities include:
Provide consistent, high quality and compassionate care to all animals in accordance with the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines and established research protocols.

Responsible for the supervision of CCM ACT staff, establishing clear definitions of responsibility and workload to increase efficiency and effectiveness of the facility, providing training and performance evaluation, and participating in the recruitment of new staff.

Responsible for day-to-day research and operational activities including development, review and implementation of policies, SOP s and procedures; animal care emergency response procedures; safety; security; cleanliness; workflow improvements; and material flow and logistics. Attends meetings and committees as required.

Oversight on all education, orientation and training provided in all aspects of daily operations of the animal facility for both CCM staff, students and researchers as well as instruction and training in the use of specialized techniques and equipment (user orientation and staff onboarding).

Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements related to care of laboratory animals, including adherence to approved protocols and animal care practices and procedures to prevent occupational infections or release of organisms into the environment. In collaboration with clinical veterinarians, ensures that all activities relating directly or indirectly to animal use and care are in accordance with acceptable veterinary standards and the standard articulated in the Guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care.

Responsibility for inspection, observation, and treatment of unusual or unexpected conditions that arise, requiring immediate action and notification to the CCM Operations Manager, Clinical Veterinarian and/or Principal Investigators, as well as responsibility for repetitive activities that occur daily.

Directs staff on tasks relating to technical research services which will include various research and special projects as directed by the Operations Manager, Project Manager, RVTs or Clinical Veterinarians.

Responsible for the efficiency and accuracy of the Cage Processing (CP) zone and maintaining communication with the CCM Assistant Supervisor and CCM Operations Manager regarding delays, errors, and issues. Oversee and direct the work of staff in the CP zone. Provide and oversee training to CP staff in the use of equipment, techniques and procedures, ensuring SOPs are read/signed off on and mandatory courses are completed. Make recommendations on staff requirements and shifts to ensure maximum CP productivity. Ensure procedures and policies are consistently and correctly followed. Identifies issues with existing SOPs and recommends change to management. Prepares new draft SOPs related to facility and equipment procedures for approval by management. Ensure sanitary conditions of cage washing rooms and other related areas (including hallways and storage areas). Ensure adequate quantities of clean caging, food, water, and other operational supplies.

Responds to operational enquiries and emergency calls. Identifies problems and makes recommendations to the CCM Operations Manager.

Assists in the creation and implementation of animal care emergency response procedures.

Responsible for ensuring safety standards and documentation are being maintained; Reports any safety concerns to the local safety committee and ACS Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee (JOHSC). May sit on the ACS JOHSC.

Act as a liaison to investigators, users, employees, UBC departments, vendors and other industry professionals to respond to, oversee and monitor any tasks or inquiries.

Facilitates and maintains relationships with internal and external partners under the direction of the CCM Operations Manager. Lead technician on industry projects as designated by the CCM Operations Manager.

Responsible for providing basic husbandry, handling, restraint, and health, behavior and welfare surveillance of large and small laboratory animal species, along with continuous awareness of current species-specific welfare issues in accordance with Canadian Council of Animal Care guidelines. This includes designating space for animals; inventories and record keeping for each animal; performing rounds to observe and check the physical health and well-being of laboratory animals; preparing health reports; isolates infected or ill animals and reports to veterinarian; general housekeeping and maintenance of facility and equipment.

Performs minor technical procedures, including ear notching, sample collection, injections, necropsy, topical/oral treatments, blood, tissue and organ collection as necessary under the direction of the CCM Operations Manager, Project Manager or Veterinarian.

Oversee receiving, packing, shipping and distribution of live animal shipments.

Oversee packaging, labelling, processing of biological, biochemical, radioactive and hazardous materials out of the facility.

Oversees an extensive inventory of supplies and equipment.

Prepare reports and provide updates to investigators regarding the status of animals.

For billing purposes records equipment and materials, including consumables used, on an investigator’s behalf.

Follows all safety standards, standard operating procedures and policies.

Treats confidentially all information related to research projects, personnel, and locations, and agrees not to disclose any such information to any person except as may be necessary in the proper discharge of work obligations.

Keep abreast of developments in the area of expertise and participating in continuing education programs. Maintains required courses, certifications and testing.

Performs other related duties.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This person must be willing to pay attention to details, be aware of pitfalls and be willing to repeat tasks if necessary. Most of the procedures will require following a protocol already in place; however, there is room for innovative thinking to improve upon existing protocols and provide input into the direction of the project. These positions are expected to exercise some initiative and judgment in establishing priorities and carrying tasks through to completion; new or unusual problems would be referred to supervisor. Incorrect decisions could result in deterioration of animal health, including mortality, and/or disruption or ruination of a research study. Inappropriate judgment exercised by the position may impact the success of the facility, leading to increased expenses and time loss. Inappropriate judgment concerning the use of controlled substances could lead to legal action against the university or revoking of provincial licenses currently held by the university veterinarians.

Supervision Received
Works under minimum supervision, receiving specific instructions only on unusual problems or on matters which depart significantly from established policy and procedure.

Supervision Given
May have supervisory responsibilities for a small group of employees at lower classifications and may have input into staff selection and performance evaluation.

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline or technical program and a minimum four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some positions may require a graduate degree.

Preferred Qualifications