p>The employee must be able to: - Read, understand, and follow DLAR and other institutional guidance documents (SOPs, policies), including IACUC approved animal protocols,
- Maintain accurate, complete, and timely documentation to ensure reliable tracking, reporting, and consistent execution of service agreements,
- Have sufficient visual acuity, manual dexterity, and attention to detail to recognize and identify normal and abnormal species-specific clinical appearances and behavior patterns, perform technical procedures (ex: animal identification methods), safely handle and restrain animals, and operate and maintain facility equipment and supplies,
- Negotiate around equipment within close quarters, and move between rooms, workspaces, and facilities,
- Wear facility specific personal protective equipment (PPE) required by the job duties based on risk assessment from EH&S,
- Work directly with live or dead animals, and clean or soiled bedding and caging,
- Receive vaccinations and health assessments, including TB testing, required to work in some animal holding or procedure areas, in accordance with DLAR and/or EH&S policies and practices,
- Successfully enroll in the University of Pittsburgh Animal Exposure Surveillance Program (AESP) and other medical surveillance/immunization programs,
- Accurately and effectively communicate in English, verbally and in writing,
- Perform computer skills including the ability to utilize common applications (e.g., email, Word, Excel) and DLAR systems (ex: CAMs), and genotype management systems,
- Follow written and verbal instructions,
- Euthanize animals under the guidance of a veterinarian. Responsibilities include:
- Direct and oversee all aspects of the rodent breeding program, ensuring efficient, high-quality service delivery,
- Develop and implement strategies to expand program utilization and align services with institutional research needs,
- Establish and maintain relationships with investigators to understand research needs, align breeding strategies accordingly, and develop service agreements,
- Produce reports on program performance, including utilization, productivity, financial metrics, and service gaps, and identify opportunities for improvement,
- Provide direct supervision of breeding program's coordinators and animal care technicians, including monitoring performance, and provide coaching, training, and professional development.