ARC Operations Specialist - JR25429-3800

at University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

• Manages the semi-annual animal facility inspections findings and is responsible for the completion of final reports with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) administrative staff.
  
• Performs independent facility audits to provide constructive feedback to facility staff.
  
• Provides updated documentation, forms, and signage to match programmatic changes.
  
• Responsible for the animal facility access program. Communicates to investigators what the requirements for access are and how to complete them.
  
• Ensures that investigators have fulfilled all relevant requirements/training in order to obtain access to the facilities.
  
• Perform activation and deactivation of ID cards. Troubleshoots and leads improvement efforts.
  
• Oversees animal husbandry special requests, (outside of the Animal Resources Center (ARC) standard animal care) from investigators: reviews and approves the use of special diets, specialized equipment, special transports/transfers, special procedural equipment and caging according to IACUC protocols.
  
• Proactively interacts with faculty and research staff to effectively and timely respond to all requests.
  
• Responsible for on-boarding process for new staff. Assisting them to gain access to university systems, to complete of initial training, and to execute other administrative tasks associated with the first week of work.
  
• Troubleshoots and leads improvement efforts.
  
• Main contact and responsible party for the facility pest control program. Coordinates visits with pest control company technicians.
  
• Tracks action items from each visit, and communicates with relevant ARC staff until resolved.
  
• Monitors issues identified by staff outside of visits and communicates them to pest control technician.
  
• Organizes and leads quarterly meeting with pest control and ARC as needed.
  
• Leads and tracks metrics for E4 Leadership huddles across the department.
  
• Coordinates new employee onboarding. As part of a committee, plans and executes events to acknowledge employee excellence and promote team building.
  
• Assists in the procurement of new supplies and equipment needed for facility operations. Includes acquisition of quotes, acting as a liaison between staff, veterinarians, and vendors to identify best options.
  
• Coordinates special projects for the Operations group, acts as a key source of information for the ARC management team.
  
• Other duties as assigned such as but not limited to: procurement of animals and special diets, and, training review.
  
• Applies research principles and relevant subject matter knowledge relevant to administer a research project. With a moderate level of direction, manages lab and/or research-related duties and tasks. Helps develop, design and conduct research projects according to plan.
  
• Supports data collection and analytical needs of research projects. Conducts literature reviews and helps write reports and manuscripts. Ensures project compliance with different policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
  
• Takes responsibility for the following non-laboratory duties: transcribing and coding data; developing data collection instruments; presenting research; and recruiting and scheduling research subjects. Acquires higher-level skills and knowledge in the process.
  
• Takes responsibility for the following laboratory duties: recognizing abnormal results and varying conditions or procedures to correct problems; setting up and performing experiments. Analyze the meaning, significance, causes, and effects of the subject.
  
• Performs other related work as needed.
  

• Bachelor's degree.
  

• 1-3 years previous experience in an animal research setting.
  
• 1-3 years previous experience in an academic environment or biomedical research.
  

• AALAS certification at LAT level or higher.
  

• Excellent written, verbal and organizational skills.
  
• Willingness to work successfully as a member of a team, ability to communicate effectively with faculty, graduate students and various administrative offices at all levels of the University, ability to prioritize.
  
• Ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal/communication skills.
  
• Strong decision-making skills and ability to work under pressure of frequent deadlines.
  
• High level of tact and discretionary judgment with regard to access of confidential material.
  
• Advanced computer knowledge and skills strongly preferred: excel, project manager, access, etc.
  
• Some knowledge of regulatory compliance and document control process.
  

• Office environment, also requires to be on one's feet frequently (walking to facilities). Also entails extensive writing, typing, and computer skills.
  

• Resume (required)
  
• Cover Letter (preferred)