Animal Quality Assurance Specialist-H&O

Title: Animal Quality Assurance Specialist-H&O

Location: Upper East Side

Org Unit: Education and Quality Assurance

Work Days: Monday-Friday

Weekly Hours: 35.00

Exemption Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $71,700.00 - $82,500.00

*As required under NYC Human Rights Law Int 1208-2018 - Salary range for this role when Hired for NYC Offices

Position Summary

Supports the animal resource program at Weill Cornell Medicine and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The position has two principle roles: 1) To assist with the design, conduct and implementation of the education and training program for the RARC Husbandry & Operations staff including hazardous agents; 2) To address matters of compliance, principally through training, with regards to applicable Federal, State, institutional and departmental regulations within the animal care program with the Education & Quality Assurance (EQA) H&O Training Lead, EQAA and H&O Management.

Job Responsibilities

• Assists with implementation and expansion of current educational program(s) covering all phases of routine maintenance and animal husbandry. Includes orientation, hands-on and didactic training and continuing education/training of staff.
• Provides primary instruction for continuing education/training of ACTs where applicable. Training includes standard husbandry and maintenance duties including animal handling, cage changing, animal health checks and other related activities.
• Under the EQA H&O Training Lead, functions as the principal instructor of AALAS certification classes. Provides support to H&O management to ensure certification is accomplished within departmental guidelines.
• Assists in developing and updating AALAS didactic training material.
• Assists in development and implementation of quality control programs related to animal care to ensure proper practices are maintained. Participates in development and implementation of SOP’s for training ACTs in sanitation and environmental monitoring.
• Instructs ACTs in proper procedures to ensure adherence to disease prevention, control and treatment programs as determined by veterinary staff.
• Reports on quality assurance findings and develops methods to correct items of non-compliance.
• Assesses and makes recommendations on commercial availability of training materials.
• Keeps abreast of developments in methods, standards, and requirements for training in animal research and all current laws, regulations, and policies.
• Maintains complete and accurate records of educational and training sessions.
• Interacts with USDA, NY State, and PHS Inspectors during facility inspections.
• Assists the EQA H&O training Lead and EQAA with monitoring compliance of the occupational health and safety program for RARC H&O staff.
• Maintains records of compliance reviews and correspondence.
• Authors and assists in development of guidelines and SOPs.
• Implements various RARC policies and procedures including animal health checks, sentinel animal program, environmental monitoring, and specialty card systems as described in standard operating procedures.
• Performs other duties as necessary, including but not limited to, coordinating departmental engagement initiatives such as Laboratory Animal Technician Appreciation Week and implementing the Annual Training Evaluation Program.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree

Experience

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education/experience/certification.

2-4 years of experience in laboratory research, training and animal care and an AALAS certification at Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) level. Certification at the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) level preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to pay close attention to detail.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communications, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office software including PowerPoint.
• Must be capable of functioning independently with minimal supervision.
• Understands the balance between ensuring compliance while balancing a mindset geared towards education.

Licenses and Certifications

• AALAS certification at Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) level.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

May be required to travel off-site for training.

Occasional heavy lifting up to 50lbs.

Must be able to handle fractious animals.

Potential exposure to animal bites and scratches, needles, and other sharp instruments, infectious agents, radioisotopes, toxic chemicals, and radiation.

Exposure to a variety of animal species/workplace allergens.

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “any person, any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.