Senior Manager, Central Animal Facility

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Posting Information:
This posting is for an existing vacancy.

The internal posting deadline for this position is April 23, 2026, at 11:59PM

Successful candidate must have up-to-date immunization for Tetanus and Hep B and a Valid G class license.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Senior Manager, Central Animal Facility (CAF) is responsible for the ethical use of animals used for research, field work, breeding, and teaching as well as the general manager and staff supervisor for the animal housing facilities at the University of Waterloo. The Senior Manager is the resident expert for the University of Waterloo community regarding the use of animals in research, field work, breeding, and teaching including specialized technical services, facilities management including space and equipment for technical services, research study implementation consultation, education and training, compliance and quality assurance, animal housing, environmental enrichment, and general animal health. This is accomplished through both independent activities and collaboration with faculty researchers, research personnel from start-up companies, government organizations, and other external businesses for a range of animal species.

Key Accountabilities

This position has 4 key accountabilities: Facility Management and Staff Supervision, Animal Health and Welfare, Technical Services, Compliance and Quality Assurance, and Education and Training. These include the following: care and maintenance of the physical buildings to meet regulatory compliance and safety requirements; daily oversight of the animal care and husbandry program; supervision and scheduling of staff; advising facility users on animal health, environmental enrichment, welfare, and well-being; research practices and technical procedures; providing leadership in effecting change and improving quality of service; and ensuring practices, procedures and safety guidelines are met. This position requires the incumbent to also be responsible for technical services, education and training, compliance, and quality assurance (i.e., animal health monitoring), as well as animal care services. The incumbent will oversee the technical facilities management which includes space and equipment, research implementation consultation, training, animal enrichment and housing needs, as well as general animal health. The incumbent will manage the animal care and technical education program to ensure successful outcomes and to meet the research team’s objectives. All research projects require an Animal Use Project Proposal (AUPP) which is presented and approved by the Waterloo Animal Care Committee. The incumbent is responsible for assuring compliance for each project in accordance with the AUPP. Animal care staff experience a variety of hazards that change with the species of animal. The incumbent must have the specific knowledge required for the management of diseases, chemicals, allergies, and odors. The position has a considerable degree of physical activity.

Facility Management and Staff Supervision

· Oversee daily operations in a cost-effective manner to ensure current standards of animal health and quality assurance are met as well as adherence to federal, provincial, international, and university policies and procedures

· Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), policies, and guidelines including writing, revising, and conducting an annual review to analyze and improve procedures and reflect best practices

· Advise university administrators on specific compliance issues associated with legislation and guidelines pertinent to the animal research and teaching and prepares reports for, and follows up on recommendations from, site visits by inspection agencies

· Authority for planning, arranging, and implementing the assignment and allocation of staff, research personnel, space, and equipment to ensure optimal utilization of resources and care of animals

· Responsible for staff and facility users/research personnel to follow applicable safety guidelines and terminate facility access if necessary

· Monitor facility operations and animal care activities, including satellite facilities, and when irregularities arise, promptly notify supervisor and/or Veterinarian

· Ensure preventative and ongoing maintenance programs are current for equipment and submits annually to supervisor an evaluation of equipment needs for technical upgrades

· Oversee orders of routine and non-routine supplies and equipment to ensure adequate availability and cost minimization including the ordering of animals and receiving and settling of incoming animals

· Ensure required documentation and record keeping is in place and completed at all levels (i.e., room, facility,
institution) as required by regulatory and institutional bodies including records of drug inventories (i.e., controlled, and narcotic substances)

· Immediately acts on problems with equipment and infrastructure and contacts appropriate repair personnel as well as ensures completion of remediation activities and in a manner that does not to jeopardize the animals or the research, field work, breeding or teaching

· Present and discuss changes as well as exchange information concerning facility operations with members of the Animal Care Committee (ACC) and university administration, as needed

· Work with supervisor annually to develop a budget, benchmarks, and other financial metrics describing the operations and efficiency of the facility including the development of per diems and revenue and expense projections

· Ensure per diems are communicated to the facility users including maintaining accurate and complete records for the Office of Research personnel for billing as well as provide quotations for internal and external research teams

· Promptly act on incidents or deviations from procedures that may affect health, safety, or security and performs follow up in collaboration with supervisor and/or Veterinarian

· Advise and write reports on the optimization of operations for the facilities, including satellite facilities, as required

· Participate in university committees related to the use of animals to ensure the facilities and processes that support the use of animals are appropriate, adequate, and efficient

· Assist in the writing of reports to the federal (CCAC), provincial (OMAFRA) and/or international (OLAW) assessment bodies to ensure retention of a certificate of “Good Animal Practice” as well as responding to inspection recommendations

· Inspect the facility on a regular basis with supervisor to ensure compliance with lab safety guidelines

· Interview, hire, and supervise staff as well as conduct performance evaluations including training, remedial actions, or termination, if needed

· Recommend training and qualification courses (both on and off site) regarding technical and animal care competency gaps for staff and research personnel

· Foster effective and cooperative relationships as well as mentor and role model effective communication with and between staff, supervisor, Veterinarian, ACC chair, research personnel, vendors, government officials, and external stakeholders

· Assign staff workload to ensure fair and equitable distribution and which supports their skills and experience level while providing for personal growth and development opportunities

· Ensure appropriate staffing levels during statutory holidays, vacation periods, illness, medical leaves, and approved training courses

· Chair staff meetings and attend regular meetings with supervisor and/or Veterinarian as well as participate on other internal or external committees, as required

Animal Health and Welfare

· Oversee the animal care and husbandry program including the mandate for education and training of appropriate and humane animal health and welfare with staff and research personnel

· Advisor to staff and research personnel on animal health and well-being, best practices, and anticipated or expected animal health problems

· Manage the health status of animals including caring for and treating sick or injured animals

· Design specific care and safety protocols for use of bio-hazardous animals, animals injected with chemical hazards or needing quarantine, or animals requiring specialized or surgical procedures

· Provide regular, ongoing, and timely review and evaluation of all animal use project proposals (AUPPs) including new AUPPs, annual renewals, amendments, incident reports and protocol deviations, as well as post-approval monitoring assessments as a member of the ACC

· Provide ongoing advice to the ACC on animal care and husbandry issues including environmental enrichment, endpoints, disposition, and any ethical issues for the use of animals in research, field work, breeding, and teaching

· Oversee and supervise the Post Approval Monitoring (PAM) assessments including providing oversight and input into the reviews

· Manage the rodent breeding program including transgenics and knockouts and lab animal physiology to understand the genetics of the species for proper breeding of genetically modified colonies while preventing the overproduction of animals unnecessarily

· Responsible for the daily care of animals including bottle and cage changes, feeding, health monitoring and required medical care including the setup housing for animals to ensure research requirements are met, carcass disposal, hazardous chemical and pharmaceutical disposal while adhering to safety policies and practices, and monitoring research studies to ensure humane endpoints are being followed and research protocol requirements are fulfilled

· Ensure researchers are following protocols, SOP, and external animal regulatory guidelines as well as occupational health and safety and advise supervisor and Veterinarian and of any animal disease risk implications or research protocol issues arising and report violations of research protocols to supervisor

Technical Services, Compliance and Quality Assurance

· Manage the technical services for complex and short- and long-term research studies conducted by faculty/academic researchers

· Provide consultation services and meet with research personnel on the technical and procedural issues associated with animal research protocols including protocol design (e.g., drugs, procedures) and required education, training, and equipment as well as study logistics and timelines

· Ensure facility rooms used for technical services are checked daily and problems are addressed immediately

· Arrange for and/or provide technical animal surgeries and other services for research personnel and monitor surgical instruments and other apparatus to ensure proper care and safe usage

· Arrange for the purchase, rental, and sharing of technical equipment among researchers as well as monitor and authorize use of equipment for technical services

· Maintain a library of technical resource materials for distribution and use by faculty, staff, and students.

· Manage the quality assurance and compliance program and oversee the regular health monitoring for the animal facilities as required by the institution and governmental agencies as well as maintain appropriate records of testing

Education and Training

· Ensure assessment and oversight processes, as well as adequate resources, are in place to provide the necessary onboarding and training prior to the start of work in the facility for staff and research personnel to maintain regulatory and safety compliance

· Onboard and train animal care staff and research personnel as appropriate in proper practices, procedures and safety guidelines and ensure staff are providing technical expertise to research personnel using appropriate methods

· Manage the teaching lab and the mandated animal user education and training program to ensure competence of facility staff and research staff to meet the standards set by the institution and government agencies

· Oversee the training and monitoring of technical services such as methods for anesthesiology, food restriction, analgesic use, maintain drug records related to each unique research project - this includes training staff and research personnel on individual responsibilities to the animals, care of research rooms, and equipment

· Train research personnel and staff on animal nursing practices and post-operative care as well as oversee the preparation of animals for medical and surgical procedures

· Develop and deliver new and ongoing in-person and online training courses

Required Qualifications

Education

· Animal Health Technician (AHT) or Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)

· CALAS Certification as a Registered Master Laboratory Animal Technician (RMLAT)

· Degree in a research-related field or advanced diploma which involved a research course or project involving animals

· Degree/diploma in business and/or project management or equivalent extensive experience

· Certification from USA in animal care a strong asset

· First aid certification

Experience

· 10+ years of related animal health technician experience in a post-secondary research-intensive institution

· 5+ years laboratory/facility management experience or equivalent

· 3+ years staff supervision experience and managing a team

· Experience interacting with external agencies and managing multiple projects

· Experience working with confidential information both independently and as part of a team

· Experience working effectively and efficiently in a complex, fast-paced environment with numerous deadlines and priorities

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

· Demonstrated ability to juggle both supervisory, management, and technical responsibilities

· High degree of dedication to animal care and animal welfare

· Demonstrated desire to create and maintain a collegial work atmosphere

· Proven record of having conducted scientific research an asset

· Exceptional communication (oral and written) skills, organizational skills, and excellent instruction and presentation skills

· Knowledge of provincial, federal, and international regulations for laboratory animal use and facility management

· Must have initiative, ability to be flexible, and strong problem-solving skills including conflict resolution

· Strong analytical skills, be able to interpret and apply regulations, policies, and guidelines

· Ability to work collegially with a wide variety of people including senior administration, faculty, and students

· Well versed and knowledgeable of the regulatory frameworks for animal use and care including: Ontario’s Animals for Research Act, Canadian Council on Animal Care Guidelines and Policies, Tri-agency Framework
Responsible Conduct of Research, Tri-agency Memorandum of Agreement concerning the administration of grants and awards, Canada Food and Drug Act, Human Pathogens and Toxins Act, Controlled Substances Act, Health of Animals Act, relevant Canadian Food Inspection Agency guidelines and regulations affecting the importation or use of animals in research and teaching, and biosafety guidelines

· Must have up-to-date immunization for Tetanus and Hep B

· Valid G class license

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.