Animal Technician Supervisor – Scientific Support Services

The mission of the Allen Institute is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi-scale, team-oriented approach, the Allen Institute focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science.

The mission of the Allen Institute Administration team is to provide support and structure to the scientific divisions. Coinciding with the team science approach, administration helps facilitate team learning and the institute’s overall mission.

The Animal Technician Supervisor will oversee and support daily operations of the research animal facility. The Supervisor will work closely with the Manager to ensure efficient, outstanding support for animal-based research and operations. Responsibilities include an array of activities designed to support world-class research while meeting or exceeding relevant standards for animal care and husbandry and regulatory and accreditation compliance. This position will have a team reporting to them, however will also be a working supervisor in the department.

The Allen Institute believes that team science significantly benefits from the participation of diverse voices, experiences, and backgrounds. High-quality science can only be produced when it includes different perspectives. We are committed to increasing diversity across every team and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for the Supervisor role.

Essential Functions

• Operational Oversight:
  • Provide daily supervision and oversight of laboratory animal staff, facilities, and activities
  • Proactively identify, address, and communicate operational issues or opportunities for improvement to the Manager
  • Able and willing to provide hands-on operational support as needed
• Staff Mentoring and Training:
  • Mentor and train husbandry technicians, ensuring skill development and compliance with protocols, Policies and Procedures, Work Instructions and Guidelines
  • Participate in Allen Institute’s career development program(s) to support personal growth and development of reporting staff members
• Compliance and Procedures:
  • Assist in developing, maintaining, and implementing operating procedures and guidelines for animal care staff and facility users
  • Ensure compliance with IACUC and other regulatory and accreditation agencies, maintaining all necessary records and reports
• Staffing and Performance Management:
  • Manage daily staffing and maintain effective scheduling
  • Monitor and evaluate staff performance, establish work priorities, conduct performance reviews, and assist the Manager with any performance management as needed
• Recruitment: Participate in the hiring process for new staff members
• Work with Manager to assess operations and implement efforts for continuous improvement over time
• Facility Inspection: Inspect work areas daily, review check sheets and forms, & document findings, and work with regulatory compliance staff for periodic facility inspections
• Supply Coordination: Coordinate the delivery and distribution of supplies
• Equipment Operation and Training: Operate and train others on the use of cage wash units, autoclaves, and other facility equipment
• Safety and Compliance Training: Provide ABSL-2 training and ensure the use of required PPE. Ensure adherence to the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
• Animal Euthanasia: Perform euthanasia of animals according to AVMA guidelines
• Communication Skills: Possess strong verbal and written communication skills
• Incorporate Allen Institute culture and values into daily activities

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) from four-year College or university, or 6 plus years’ experience in the Lab Animal field
• Two (2) years supervisory experience

Preferred Education and Experience

• AALAS Certification at the LATg level
• CMAR or qualified to work towards CMAR Certification
• Three (3) years supervisory experience

Work Environment

• Exposure to and handling of laboratory animals required
• Laboratory environment - possible chemical, biological, or other hazardous substances exposure.
• Exposure to Biosafety Level 2 organisms, such as recombinant viruses
• This may include wearing personnel protective equipment (PPE) - including wearing respiratory protection for long periods of time
• lifting to 40 pounds
• Pushing heavy rack systems and supplies
• May work in hot environments
• May work around loud equipment.
• Some duties and motions are repetitive tasks

Physical Demands

• Ability to bend, lift, and carry out repetitive motions involved with the sanitization of cages, equipment, and supplies. Required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, and crouch. Perform a variety of repetitive tasks involving wrists and knees
• Occasional lifting to 40 pounds
• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment, repetitive motion with lab equipment
• Push/pull heavy rack systems and supplies

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This is an essential job, and you are expected to report for work regardless of weather and/or other conditions
• Rotating weekend shifts
• This role is expected to work onsite for the majority of working hours. The primary work location for this role is 615 Westlake Ave N., with the flexibility to work remotely on a limited basis

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• All employees who work with live animals must complete an Occupational Health medical history form and/or consultation with an Occupational Health Provider and receive clearance to work with animals. Depending on your health history and job responsibilities, an annual respiratory health screening and clearance to use a respirator may also be required

Additional Comments

• **Please note, this opportunity does not sponsor work visas **

Annualized Salary Range

• $80,000 - $93,150 *

* Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.

Benefits

Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities