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Unit: VP Research MBU
Department: Animal Care Facility
Department Summary: Office of Research &
Innovation, Division of Animal Resources invites applicants to
apply for an outstanding opportunity to join our Team as a
Trainer.
Duties & Responsibilities:
The Trainer supports the Division of Animal Resources (DAR) by
developing, delivering, and evaluating comprehensive training
programs for personnel involved in the care and use of laboratory
animals. This role ensures all husbandry, technical, and
compliance-related procedures are performed consistently,
competently, and in alignment with institutional policies, IACUC
requirements, AAALAC standards, and federal regulations. May
involve rotating schedules or occasional weekend/holiday
support.
Key Responsibilities
Training & Instruction
- Structured Programs: Develop and deliver training for new and
existing staff in animal husbandry, facility operations,
sanitation, enrichment, and species-specific care.
Hands-on Instruction: Provide training for routine and
specialized procedures, including health checks,
handling/restraint, feeding, watering, and environmental
monitoring.
Compliance Training: Instruct staff on SOPs, safety protocols,
PPE requirements, and emergency procedures.
Assessments: Conduct competency assessments and maintain
documentation of training completion and proficiency.
Remediation: Offer targeted training when performance gaps or
compliance issues are identified.
Program Development & Quality Assurance
- Collaborative Design: Partner with management, veterinary
staff, and IACUC to ensure training materials reflect current
standards and regulatory expectations.
- Resource Creation: Assist in developing and updating training
manuals, checklists, videos, and digital modules for the AALAS
learning library.
- QA/QC Initiatives: Participate in sanitation verification, room
inspections, and process audits.
- Accreditation Support: Support AAALAC site visit preparation by
ensuring training records and staff competencies meet
standards.
Operational Support
- Staff Resource: Provide guidance on best practices and
troubleshoot animal care challenges for husbandry and technical
staff.
- Onboarding: Assist with new staff orientation regarding
facility layout, workflows, and expectations.
- Strategic Planning: Partner with supervisors to identify
training needs based on performance trends or new equipment.
- Cross-Training: Support initiatives to build a flexible
workforce across multiple
facilities.
Communication & Collaboration
- Cross-Functional Alignment: Work with Vivarium Managers,
Veterinary Technicians, and Research Support teams to align
training expectations.
- Cultural Leadership: Foster a culture of learning,
accountability, and animal welfare through professional
communication at all levels.
- Committees: Participate in meetings and working groups related
to training and compliance.
Core KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
- Leadership & Coaching: Guides others with clarity,
patience, and confidence.
- Attention to Detail: Ensures accuracy in training and
documentation.
- Animal Welfare Focus: Commitment to humane care and ethical
research.
- Adaptability: Adjusts approaches to meet diverse learning
styles and facility needs.
- Problem-Solving: Identifies gaps and implements practical
solutions.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
- Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of
respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty,
staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a
commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
- Required Education/Experience: Bachelor degree in Animal
Science, Biology, Veterinary Technology, or a related field
(equivalent experience considered).
- Experience: Previous work with laboratory animals in a research
or academic environment.
- Knowledge: Strong understanding of animal husbandry,
enrichment, sanitation, facility operations, and regulatory
frameworks (IACUC, USDA, OLAW, AAALAC).
- Skills: Excellent teaching and interpersonal skills with the
ability to provide constructive feedback.
- Several years of training or teaching experience is
required.
Preferred Qualifications
- AALAS certification (LAT, LATG, CMAR) or Master Laboratory
Animal Science.
- Experience with rodents plus additional species (rabbits,
swine, etc.).
- Knowledge of adult learning principles.
Benefits : All full-time university staff are eligible for
VCU’s robust
benefits
package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual
and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning
and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs,
employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities
for career development and advancement, and more.
Salary Range: 60,000-67,000
FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
Hours per Week: 40
Restricted Position: Yes
ORP Eligible: No
Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite
University Job Title: 19201Y - Trainer/Instructor GA 1
Contact Information:
Contact Name: Niki Boyd
Contact Email: tsboyd@vcu.edu