Animal Facility Manager (#1887)

BACKGROUND

The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) is a one-of-a-kind facility located on Fort Detrick in Frederick MD and is dedicated to defending the nation against biological threats. Its work supports DHS and National biodefense preparedness planning, response, emerging threat characterization and bioforensic analyses. It is the first national laboratory created by DHS in response to biodefense gaps identified following the Amerithrax attacks of 2001 and has been operated by the Battelle National Biodefense Institute (BNBI) since 2006. Since its inception, NBACC and its staff have filled critical shortfalls in our scientific knowledge of biological agents needed to protect the public and defend the Nation from biological threats, whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate and provided federal law enforcement with scientific data to support the investigation and attribution of biocrimes and protection of the US bioeconomy.

NBACC includes two centers: the National Bioforensic Analysis Center (NBFAC), which conducts the technical analyses in support of federal law enforcement investigations, and the National Biological Threat Characterization Center (NBTCC), which conducts experiments and studies to obtain data required for a better understanding of biological vulnerabilities and hazards. Together these centers offer a unique national resource for understanding the risks posed by biological agents and emerging technologies to inform biodefense policy and response planning and the operational capability to support the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of biocrimes and bioterrorism.

PRIMARY FUNCTION

Functions as part of the Comparative Medicine team by overseeing and coordinating all aspects of the animal research facility and serves as the Laboratory Space Manager for conventional, ABSL-2 and ABSL-3 animal areas. Expected to work independently while keeping supervisor/manager informed on status of the animal facility and other areas of responsibility. Environment requires routine entry into both conventional and biocontainment animal holding and research areas. Biocontainment areas include all four animal biosafety levels (ABSL1-4).

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Science (or equivalent) in a scientific discipline and a minimum of 8 years of related experience or a Master's degree and a minimum of 6 years of related experience.
• Certification as a Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATg) and/or Certified Manager of Animal Resources (CMAR) is highly desirable.
• Highly skilled scientific proficiency in laboratory functions. Possesses the ability to identify issues and recommend solutions to institutional science protocols, procedures and experimental plans.
• Proficiency and clarity of oral and written communications are essential.
• Exemplary organizational skills with a proven track record of working effectively both independently and as a team player.
• Knowledge or experience with biocontainment facilities and procedures, laboratory safety, biosurety, and decontamination is desirable.
• Skills and experience to support laboratory activities and work in accordance with NBACC's management system (e.g., ISO).
• Must be a citizen of the United States, able to obtain and maintain an interim secret clearance leading to a top secret clearance, suitability for DHS, and a favorable adjudication of the Department of Justice (DoJ) for select agent access.
• Participation in the Immunization Program is required, Medical Surveillance Program and enrollment in the Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) is required.
• May be required to participate in NBACC's alternative work and/or on-call schedule, dependent upon business needs.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages the Comparative Medicine caretaker staff using daily direction and strategic development and assists the Manager of the Comparative Medicine group with daily direction and strategic development of the group.
• Supervises, provides direction, schedules work, technical expertise, and monitors performance of animal care staff in the execution and productivity of husbandry and animal support responsibilities.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with scientists and other research and support staff. Assists investigators on the selection of appropriate animal models, vendors and on the development and budgeting for research projects and protocols involving animals.
• Serves as the Laboratory Space Manager for assigned areas.
• Organizes work schedules of animal facility staff and maintains adequate levels of supplies and inventory.
• Coordinates repairs/maintenance/renovations of assigned spaces.
• Maintains husbandry schedules and documentation for sentinel and enrichment programs.
• Establishes scheduling and conduct of didactic and hands-on training for husbandry staff.
• Demonstrates a strong customer focus oriented attitude in cooperatively working with research staff, vendors and facility operations staff to ensure appropriate Comp Med support, including supplies, facilities, equipment, and animals, are available for their research projects.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable regulatory and oversight requirements, including the Animal Welfare Act, the PHS Policy, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, DHS Directives, DHS Assurance, AAALAC International, and GLP regulations as required.
• Consistently performs work on complex projects requiring independent action and high degree of initiative, while developing scientific experimental plans to produce a consistent high quality science product.
• Determines methods and procedures on new assignments.
• May be an informal team leader who makes institutional-level contributions, anticipates issues and opportunities to improve, and builds group consensus approaches.
• Participates in the testing and evaluation of new technologies and protocols including writing and updating NBACC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions and forms to improve NBACC's ability to serve its customers.
• Identifies departures from the Quality Management System (QMS) and initiates actions to investigate and prevent such occurrences.
• Directs, prioritizes, schedules, and provides technical expertise to staff to conduct work.
• With minimal supervision, operates, maintains, and characterizes the performance of the equipment ensuring the reagents and supplies are maintained and used properly.
• Develops techniques, prepares samples and performs tests according to appropriate SOPs.
• Serves as a member of a team in developing, validating, and maintaining methods for identifying and characterizing biological threat agents.
• Must be a team player, communicate clearly, be open to hearing ideas and suggestions from others, diffuse situations, and exercise empathy and patience with colleagues.
• Must have the ability to multi-task, maintain composure under pressure, and utilize effective time management skills to prioritize tasks.
• Must be a self-starter driven by an eagerness to succeed, maintain flexibility, adapt to change in a productive and positive manner, learn new concepts, and utilize critical thinking to resolve complex problems.
• Maintains appropriate records.
• Performs other duties as assigned/authorized.