Director, Veterinary Services

About the Role
This role has direct or delegated program authority and responsibility to ensure that adequate veterinary care and environmental enrichment including all aspects of animal welfare, in accordance with current regulatory and veterinary practices, is always provided. Adequate veterinary and environmental enrichment programs include daily animal care, disease prevention; health surveillance, examination, diagnoses, treatment, and control of diseases; providing appropriate anesthesia and analgesia, surgery, post-surgical care; assessment of animal well-being; humane euthanasia. Examines, diagnoses, and treats laboratory animals to ensure the health of animals used in scientific research and to comply with regulations governing their humane and ethical treatment by performing the following duties.

What You’ll Do Here
•Oversee the provision of routine and/or specific veterinary medical support for all animal species
•Oversee the provision of daily environmental enrichment program
•Assign staff as appropriate to meet study objectives
•Direct and approve departmental resources, personnel, fiscal assignments/budget proposals and allocations
•Assure the personnel, resources, facilities, equipment, materials, and methodologies in their areas are available as scheduled
•Assure the development, review, revision and implementation of SOPs, SSPs, policies, training manuals and/or checklists relating to animals, technical procedures, facility issues and data generation in their areas
•Provide professional leadership in the care and resolution of complex medical cases and operational issues that arise within the animal facilities
•Oversee and assist in the design and implementation of the animal welfare and preventive medicine program for all animal species, including sentinel programs
•Oversee and provide training and supervision of staff regarding technical procedures and appropriate and humane use of animals in their programs
•Provide specialized procedural consultations for clients, study directors and staff in program development related to animal use
•Participate in the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC, including reviewing protocols, animal colony issues, management issues and consultations
•Provide leadership as a recognized expert in animal regulatory law
•Generate or direct the necessary reports for department and regulatory requirements
•Oversee or order necessary supplies and equipment and equipment validation when required
•Consult with clients and staff in the selection of animals for specific research based on knowledge of species and research principles and techniques
•Communicate areas of accountability and performance expectations to staff
•Establish standards of performance as a basis to review progress of staff
•Manage the DEA Controlled Substances program including inventory requirements, regulations and appropriate training
•Acts as primary liaison with USDA, AAALAC, and other regulatory agencies as needed
•Act as attending veterinarian on an as needed basis
•May be a voting member of the IACUC
•Perform bi-annual SOP review, IACUC onsite semi-annual review and monthly environmental enrichment case exemption reviews
•Act as after-hours emergency contact
•Advise study directors on study design and implementation, protocol specifics concerning animal techniques and health issues
•Aid in establishing, maintaining and developing the animal records systems and reviews records as needed
•Provide expertise and assistance with training sessions involving husbandry, veterinary care, and utilization of animal models
•Provide expertise for the development of health and safety, emergency response and occupational health programs
•Supervisory responsibilities including interviewing hiring, mentoring and coaching employees, addressing complaints, and conflict resolution

What You’ll Need to Succeed
•DVM or equivalent
•10+ years laboratory animal practice experience with increasing levels of responsibility
•5+ years supervisory experience
•Practicing veterinary license and eligible for licensure in California state required
•Board Certification be the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine or equivalent required

•Nonhuman primate breeding experience preferred

•CDC quarantine practices experience preferred
•Basic computer skills
•Intermediate maths skills as they apply to understanding budgets and financial plans
•Able to build strong teams through coaching employees to foster open communication
•Skilled at communicating with all levels of employees
•Ability to manage change

 

What We Offer

The pay range estimated for this position is $160,000 to $185,000 per year.  Please note that hourly rates/salaries vary within the range based on factors including, but not limited to, prior relevant experience, skills, education, certification, location as well as internal equity and market data. 

At Altasciences, we offer a collaborative and supportive work environment where your skills and expertise will be valued. Join us in our mission to advance scientific research while upholding the highest standards of animal welfare. Apply now to become a vital member of our team!

Employment Type: Full Time
Salary: $160,000 - $185,000 Annual
Bonus/Commission: No