Technical Lead - Behavior Management (CS-PRP and BPRP Containment)

Goldbelt Apex, a part of the Healthcare Technology Transformation Group, is a data-focused company dedicated to process and quality in every aspect. As experts in healthcare IT experts, Apex is committed to building systems for healthcare organizations to seamlessly communicate and exchange data across different systems and devices. 

Summary:

Technical Lead - Behavior Management shall serve as a Technical Lead – Behavior Management (CS-PRP and BPRP Containment) and shall perform and coordinate animal social housing, behavior and enrichment support in Quarantine, Barrier, ABSL- 2, ABSL-3 and ABSL-4 animal care and use areas. The Technical Lead – Behavior Management (CS-PRP and BPRP Containment) shall independently select and apply appropriate procedures for the supported tasks. The Veterinary Technician shall assist in providing non-routine care, supporting changes in procedure, addressing problems, etc.

Work requires continuous standing and walking on concrete or hard surfaced floors, climbing, working in a bent position, and carrying materials up to 50 pounds. Greater strength, effort and agility are required in the handling, capturing, and restraining of the stronger, more active animals. Work, as performed, exposes Technical Lead to unpleasant odors and noises and may require contact with unpredictable, ill-natured, stronger animals which pose greater risks of injury, bites, scratches, etc. There is a hazard of burns from autoclaves and ultra-violet lights, skin irritations from cleaning and decontaminating solutions. The Technical Lead shall wear protective clothing or equipment such as positive air pressure respirators or other personal protective equipment for prolonged periods.

*Containment involves adhering to specific procedures and requirements designed to manage and protect sensitive information and materials in this role.

Essential Job Functions:

•  Shall assist or independently perform All Veterinary Technician (CS-PRP and BPRP Containment) Tasks.
• Serve as animal behavior subject matter expert and provide behavioral technical support to the animals in Quarantine, Barrier, ABSL-2, ABSL-3 and ABSL-4 animal care and use areas during experimental and non-experimental periods IAW SOPs, protocol, Animal Welfare Regulations (9 CFR, as amended) and The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NRC, as revised). This includes, but is not limited to, training on proper work methods and initiating behavioral technical support; developing and disseminating behavioral and enrichment schedules appropriate for animal species/age/health/protocol/housing/activity; conducting behavior assessments; reassess and adapt interventions as needed; reporting/documenting abnormal conditions or treatment failures, especially behavioral treatment failures; and developing schedules and plans for desensitization, habituation, and positive reinforcement training.
• Ensure that needed equipment (e.g., recording devices, enrichment devices, training tools, etc.) and supplies (e.g., enrichment consumables, destructible enrichment, etc.) are available, and advise the acquisition of needed equipment and supplies.
• Shall operate enrichment/behavior equipment and document operations at all biocontainment levels IAW SOPs.
• Shall coordinate with clinical veterinarians, colony manager, animal husbandry personnel and research support personnel.
• Shall provide weekly food enrichment requests to Contract PM. Contract Employee shall ensure that foods requested are appropriate nutritionally and behaviorally for the intended animals IAW SOPs.
• Shall prepare reports no less than monthly on pair/group-housing metrics, to include singly housed animals and provide reports to the Contract PM.
• Shall review behavior cases with veterinarians no less than monthly.
• Shall develop schedules and plans for desensitization, habituation, and positive reinforcement training of animals to enhance animal wellbeing and meet scientific objectives.
• Shall review current scientific literature and conduct market research to provide technical input on and provide quotes for new equipment, supplies, or enrichment methods.

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Apply practical knowledge and technical expertise to resolve problems independently and in cooperation with other personnel.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, SharePoint, MS Teams, Excel, Outlook and other software systems as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• LAT certification or higher, as defined by AALAS, is required prior to or within twelve (12) months of hire.
• Formal NHP behavioral management training and at least three (3) years of NHP behavior management experience, preferably with macaques, to include social housing, pairing NHP in a research setting, assessing pair stability, performing detailed nonhuman primate behavior assessments, and developing enrichment and social housing plans is required.
• Experience with NHPs in ABSL-3 and/or ABSL-4 settings is highly desirable.
• US Citizenship Required
• Variable work hours, to include 24/7 coverage, evenings/nights, weekends, Government holidays, and during unforeseen closures or circumstances shall apply, as requested to meet mission requirements.
• Must be able to successfully obtain and maintain a favorably adjudicated Secret security clearance eligibility, with no access to classified. *NACLC/ANACI is acceptable if completed within 5 years prior to enrollment.
• Ability to successfully pass a drug test.

Preferred Qualifications:

• GLP experience is desirable.
• Experience with rodents, swine, rabbits, and ferrets in a research setting is highly desirable.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $95,000 to $97,000 yearly.

At Goldbelt, we value and reward our team's dedication and hard work. We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, tax-deferred savings options, supplementary benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.