Program Specialist

The University of New Mexico (UNM) Office of Research and Office of Animal Care Compliance (OACC) is seeking an experienced research compliance professional to engage in hands-on and virtual training, post-approval monitoring, and administrative activities for 40 hours per week. This is a full-time in person position which requires at times the ability to be on call as the back-up for weekend or afterhours emergencies at the facilities.

The ARF Trainer/Post-Approval Monitoring (PAM) Program Specialist will directly report and work under the direction of the OACC on Main Campus (MC) and Health Sciences Center (HSC) Campus in collaboration with the Attending Veterinarian (AV) and Animal Resource Facility (ARF). The ARF Trainer/PAM Coordinator will be a non-voting ex-officio member of both the MC and HSC IACUC Committees. The position will work with other members of the ARF staff to ensure that a robust training program exists and all personnel involved in research are in compliance. In addition, this position will ensure research and teaching activities involving animal subjects are following all applicable University, State, Federal and other external regulatory requirements and guidelines through PAM. The ARF Trainer/PAM Program Specialist's role is to observe activities using live animals and facilitate applicable training, review records, processes and procedures, to assist investigators in identifying deviations from approved protocols and in implementing corrective action, and to document and report the findings to the AV, IACUC, and OACC.

Representative Duties and Responsibilities:

• Designs and conducts training opportunities provided to all animal users and research-specific training. Training sessions can be in-person, hands-on, virtual, PowerPoint, and/or be scheduled with confirmed Subject Matter Experts and/or competent individuals who are specialists in the specific training such as surgeons, specialists, veterinarians, etc.
• Conducts internal auditing procedures of animal subjects' protocols as part of the PAM program and prepares reports on audit/monitoring findings.
• Maintains all records relating to training including (but not limited to) OACC, ARF Training, AALAS Learning Library, etc.
• Creates, edits, updates, and maintains ARF and OACC SOPs
• Conducts reviews in response to allegations and findings of noncompliance with ARF and OACC requirements.
• Serves as a compliance resource to the research community and other internal interested parties.
• Assists with semiannual facility inspections and program reviews.
• Conducts and reconciles monthly animal cage census to confirm animal cages and numbers are in compliance with animal approvals.
• At times will be on call as the backup for weekend or afterhours emergencies at animal facilities.
• Performs other duties as required.

See the Position Description for additional information.

• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.
• If located at the UNM Children's Campus, successful candidate must pass a comprehensive post-offer, pre-employment criminal and New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) fingerprint background check, and a continued successful status will be verified by periodic future background checks.

High school diploma or GED; at least 6 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

* Experience with research compliance requiring knowledge and understanding of applicable regulations.

* Ability to collegially interact with others to provide guidance and assistance in meeting regulatory requirements and resolving problems.

* Excellent writing, communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to articulate compliance issues and enforce compliance standards.

* Ability to work with animals.

* Ability to work at Main and Health Sciences Center campuses.

* Knowledge of federal laws, regulations and procedures pertaining to the use of animal subjects in research and teaching including, but not limited to, AWA, AWAR, PHS Policy, HREA, etc.

* Two or more years of experience with the use of animal subjects in research, and/or experience in working with an IACUC.

* AALAS certifications at LAT or LATg

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Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.