Animal Facility Manager

Animal Facility Manager

Company: Villanova University

Job Location: Villanova, 19085

Category: Manager/Director

Type: Full-Time

Posting Number: 20260095S

Location: Villanova, PA

Work Schedule: full-time/12-months

Department: 902 - AVP Research Administration

Position Summary

Why work at Villanova?

• Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University's founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others.
• Villanova has been included among the nation's best colleges and universities. VU's inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report's 2025 "Best Colleges" rankings is another indication of the University's continued prominence and forward momentum.
• Villanova's most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more.

The Animal Facilities Manager is responsible for overseeing all operational activities and facility personnel associated with Villanova's animal facilities and managing day-to-day operations of the facilities. This role includes hiring and supervising animal care workers, managing animal husbandry, training staff and students on facility procedures, and working collaboratively with faculty investigators and the IACUC to facilitate research in accordance with approved protocols and regulatory standards. The position plays a crucial role in maintaining the welfare of animals used in research, as well as supporting researchers with their facility needs.

Note: This position may require occasional work on weekends/after hours and some holidays.

Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University's mission and values.

Duties and Responsibilities

Animal Care Facility Operations Management

Directs all operations associated with the housing, handling, health, and care procedures involving live vertebrate animals in Villanova University animal facilities. Develops and implements schedules for equipment maintenance, cage changing, and sanitizing of equipment, rooms, and corridors, without undue disruption to experimental schedules. Maintains the facility's infrastructure and equipment by initiating requests to University Facilities Management Office or to outside vendors, as appropriate. Orders feed, bedding, and supplies and maintains sufficient inventories to meet the needs of the animal care area.

Supervision of Animal Care Staff

Hires and supervises part-time/student animal care workers. Manages personnel schedules ensuring coverage for daily animal observations, including scheduling for coverage during holidays and planned closures and for emergency support after-hours and during unexpected closures.

Animal Care, Health Monitoring, and Regulatory Recordkeeping

Ensures that daily care procedures and routine health checks are provided for all animals, and alerts Attending or Secondary Veterinarian and principal investigator of any animal illness or injury. Maintains records of animal care in compliance with IACUC and external regulatory requirements. Assists with training in animal care, handling, and housing, as needed.

Researcher Engagement and Regulatory Compliance Coordination

Actively engages and consults with faculty researchers, including the Psychological & Brain Sciences Vivarium committee, to maintain open communication on evolving animal care needs. Works directly with the IACUC and the Office of Research Protections to ensure facility infrastructure and procedures are in compliance with regulatory and ethical standards.

Development and Enforcement of Standard Operating Procedures

Develops standard operating procedures for use of the facilities. Enforces policies, regulations, and guidelines.

Emergency Planning and Response Preparedness

Develops emergency plans and strategies for their implementation, in consultation with Environmental Health and Safety, Public Safety, Facilities Management, researchers, and the IACUC.

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Formal Education

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Animal Science, Psychological Science, or related field.

Minimum Work Experience

• Minimum 3 years' experience working in a laboratory animal facility (in particular, experience with rodents, fish, birds, and reptiles) and experience in technical facility operations
• Minimum 1 year of leadership, management or supervisory experience
• Knowledge of laboratory animal care and use settings and investigator-managed areas
• Experience working in animal laboratory setting and conducting animal husbandry for multiple species
• Experience supervising or training animal care staff/student workers. Ability to train staff on knowledge of animal care requirements, husbandry regulations, basic animal handling, understanding of animal behavior and disease conditions.
• Experience working with different stakeholders (faculty, staff, students, vendors, and IACUC)
• Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements related to animal care/use in research (federal regulations and AAALAC standards). Ability to follow local, state, federal and University regulations, guidelines and policies

Preferred Qualifications

• AALAS Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT), Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG), and/or Manager of Animal Resources (CMAR) certification preferred.
• Experience participating in regulatory or accreditation inspections preferred
• 6+ years' experience preferred

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours

• Tools, machinery and equipment used: carbon dioxide and oxygen tanks, cage washing equipment, and other specialized equipment as required for the treatment and care of the animals; computer, telephone, copier and other standard office equipment and software including Word, Excel, and Power Point as well as protocol management systems.
• Environmental conditions: Exposure to animal allergens. Exposure to laboratory chemicals or food allergens is possible. Employees in this position will participate in an occupational health surveillance program.
• Physical requirements: Indoor position with manual labor and required to work on-site. Frequent lifting must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. and push and pull heavy loads of equipment. Typically standing or walking including on slippery surfaces, intermittently stooping, crouching, bending, wearing personal protective equipment when needed (gloves, eye protection, masks and/or respirators).
• Other: Ability to work on weekends/after hours and some holidays.

Salary Posting Information

This position falls within salaried grade 15 and the range is $75,400-83,800. The final salary will be determined with consideration of several factors including the selected candidate's qualifications, department budget availability, market data, and internal equity.

Salary Grade 15