Quality Assurance Coordinator - Office of Lab Animal Resources

The Office of Lab Animal Resources at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Quality Assurance Coordinator.

About the Opportunity

The Office of Laboratory Animal Resources (OLAR) husbandry supervisor, under direction of the OLAR husbandry care manager, is responsible for the direct oversight of quality control and compliance programs within the department and supports the husbandry care manager in oversight of the husbandry operation across campus. This individual will take on a leadership role in the department and maintain direct animal care duties. This individual ensures that all activities in the department comply with state, federal, and university policies and regulations, and AAALAC standards. Through audits and direct oversight this individual is responsible for validating the current practices within OLAR. 

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)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (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

• Husbandry Oversight/Training
  • Directly supports the husbandry care manager in oversight and implementation of the husbandry care program across campus. This includes:
    • Developing weekly work schedules
    • Developing and writing departmental SOP’s
    • Conduct routine room inspections and procedural audits of staff. Evaluate if SOPs are routinely being adhered to within the animal facility. Meets with staff to evaluate current processes and procedures. 
    • Responds to and manages concerns with facilities (physical plant or environmental concerns).
    • After-hours (after-hours, weekend, holiday) rotation of on-call for facility emergencies. 
    • Assisting with space management within the facility 
    • Performs investigator building orientations and provides training for laboratories on husbandry related activities. 
    • Assists with new staff training
• Quality Control and Compliance Programs
  • Maintains records for all quality control procedures conducted.
  • Performs routine monitoring of all equipment and facilities, including autoclaves, cagewash equipment, anesthesia machines, O2 machines, CHARM testing, light timers, back-up power, alarm testing. 
  • Works with satellite locations to provide quality control support. 
  • Supports OLAR director in obtaining data and establishing standards for animal husbandry and care procedures. 
  • Development of policies, procedures and processes related to animal husbandry.
  • Development of remedial operational plans based on quality control findings.
  • Participates in site visits, including the USDA, AAALAC, and compliance office in conjunction with upper management.  
  • Responds to questions regarding the facilities, husbandry, equipment, and animal care. 
  • Ensures resolution in conjunction with the IACUC office regarding the semi-annual report findings. 
  • Enhances professional growth and development through educational programs, seminars, and conferences.  Remains up to date on federal regulations and professional standards regarding the field of laboratory animal research.  Reviews/Revises current institutional policies and procedures and develops new procedures to ensure regulations and standards are maintained within WVU’s animal research facilities, including biohazards and biocontainment issues.
• Direct Animal Care (Husbandry Care)
  • This position must be able to carry out the work of subordinates as needed during the regular work week, weekends, holidays or after hours to meet operational needs or in emergencies.

• Master's degree in related field
• A minimum of 0-6 months of experience in the following:
  • Animal Care Experience 
  • Administrative Experience
  • Compliance Experience
• 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 programs.
• 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 instructions.
• Ability to supervise personnel, resolve conflicts with maturity, maintain confidentiality as needed.
• Ability to submit work orders.
• Ability to work weekends, evenings, holidays, as needed. Rotation of on-call and responding to facility issues after hours is required. 

Requirements 

• Valid Driver’s License
• Lab Animal Technologist (LATG) certification from American Association of Laboratory Animal Sciences (AALAS) is recommended. Should be obtained within the first year of work.
• CMAR recommended. 

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.

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 an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.