Team Lead - Cagewash

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Facilitates Teamwork Regularly with Minimal Supervision:

• Leads various team meetings to organize, delegate, and inform the team of daily work; documents any workarounds; facilitates problem-solving and continuous improvement discussions.
• Supervises and schedules cagewash team tasks and reallocates task assignments as required to maintain operational flow.
• Monitors team's work for quality while informing the Facility Manager of all problems and progress.
• Communicates proactively with facility staff and research staff to ensure cagewash operations are supporting research needs; ensures issues are addressed promptly.
• Ensures team members receive appropriate training to successfully accomplish daily work and longer-term developmental plans; documents trainings according to the Facility Manager and CCM's training plan.
• Identifies opportunities to continuously improve cagewash operations, pilots changes, evaluates successes and failures, and reports findings to the Facility Manager.
• Serves as the primary point of communication between cagewash team members and the Facility Manager.

Performs and Oversees Cage Wash Operations:

• Able to perform all duties listed on the RAS 1, 2, and 3 job descriptions.
• Cleans and sanitizes animal caging and accessory equipment per SOP.
• Assures monthly autoclave validations are completed and documented.
• Troubleshoots and maintains equipment; performs routine repairs on caging and racks; trains cagewash staff on performing routine repairs and maintenance.
• Ensures routine cleaning, descaling, and preventative maintenance on cage washers and autoclaves is performed on schedule.
• Schedules preventative maintenance (PMs) with vendors.
• Prepares, submits, and maintains required cagewash records, charts, logs, and inventories as requested.
• Responsible for the creation, validation, and maintenance of visual controls within the cagewash area.

Performs Facility Support Functions:

• Orders and receives facility supplies; monitors material replenishment systems.
• Keeps cage slip supplies stocked.
• Coordinates daily with cagewash technicians to ensure all RAS staff have adequate supplies available.
• Submits routine work requests/tickets through appropriate BWH applications and/or vendors.

Provides Training and Serves as Subject Matter Expert:

• Serves as the authorized hands-on trainer for CCM cagewash operations.
• Works with the CCM Training Program Manager to provide training to new and transferred facility staff on cagewash procedures and SOPs.
• Conducts new hire training, SOP proficiency reviews, new/revised SOP training, safety training, and remedial/refresher training.
• Updates employee training files to document trainings and proficiency reviews.
• Serves as subject matter expert for all cagewash operations.
• Assists in evaluating SOP drafts; writes, reviews, and approves SOPs as needed.

Performs Quality Assurance and Compliance Functions:

• Performs quality assurance rounds and submits findings to the Facility Manager.
• Complies with CCM and BWH policies and standard operating procedures.
• Interacts with all personnel and outside entities with excellent and professional oral and written communication.

Provides Animal Room Coverage as Needed:

• Able to perform all animal husbandry and facility maintenance duties of a RAS 1, 2, and 3 when coverage is required in animal rooms.
• Supervises or assists with animal care tasks within assigned areas of the facility; reassigns task assignments as required.
• Able to perform husbandry and health monitoring of animals in ABSL2 areas.
• Able to perform husbandry and health monitoring of USDA covered species, updating Individual Animal Records when required.
• Houses incoming or newly arrived animals; performs initial inspections and ensures animals are acclimated and physiologically stable prior to research initiation.
• Assists with non-standard husbandry requests, importation/quarantine, isolation, and housing of animals with special health concerns to protect colony health.
• Works within prescribed protocols for chemical and biological hazards.

Additional Duties:

• Works holidays and weekends as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent required

Can this role accept experience in lieu of a degree? Yes

Experience:
- Previous Animal Care Experience 3-5 years required (laboratory animal / cagewash experience.)

- Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the ALAT certification level preferred.

- Lean White or Yellow Belt certification preferred.

SKILLS / ABILITIES / COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.
• Ability to learn CCM and MGB computer applications.
• Knowledge of basic computer skills including email and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to lift and move 50 lbs on a regular basis.
• Ability to stand for long periods.
• Strong time management and organizational abilities.
• Able to clearly, respectfully, and timely correspond with researchers and facility staff in writing and orally in a customer-focused manner while assuring regulatory compliance.
• Customer-focused, positive attitude; enjoys working with similarly dedicated persons in a team environment within a high-energy research setting.
• Ability to work effectively and promote a teamwork environment.
• Ability to problem-solve work processes within the scope of the job.
• Ability to learn and use barcode/tablet technology.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The animal facility has a variety of environmental conditions.

• Employees may be exposed to noise, dust, chemicals, extreme heat, and animal waste products.
• The duration of exposure to any of the above is dependent on the assigned duties. Some aspects of this position may expose the incumbent to potentially fatal zoonotic diseases.
• Appropriate protective clothing and equipment may be required and will be provided when required, accompanied by appropriate training.

• This position may also expose the employee to animals treated with chemical hazards, radioactive dyes, and other induced conditions as part of approved protocols.
• Employees are expected to conduct all work in a safe manner, including maintaining knowledge of cagewash and animal handling techniques consistent with protocol, regulations, and department policy.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

No direct reports.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Responsible for economical use of resources and time.