Assistant Supervisor

Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Title

Assistant Supervisor

Department

Research Support | Modified Barrier Facility | Animal Care Services

Compensation Range

$4,757.00 - $5,187.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

February 25, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Description Summary

The Assistant Supervisor works closely with the Supervisor and Operations Manager in the Modified Barrier Facility (MBF) in day-to-day oversight and operations and will be responsible for a team of technicians when the Operations Manager is absent or unavailable. The incumbent will also provide animal health care, skilled technical services and assistance; as well as interacting and liaising with technical staff, UBC researchers, and Veterinarians. The position s role requires understanding and interpreting the Canadian Council on Animal Care regulations and guidelines (CCAC), which governs the care and use of research animals in Canada. This position will require highly specialized knowledge in animal husbandry for small and bio-hazardous animals, in addition to in-depth technical knowledge of equipment and data analysis.

The Modified Barrier Facility (MBF) is a facility in Animal Care Services (ACS), which is responsible for providing research support to the animal-based research community associated with the University of British Columbia and its affiliates through its veterinary services team, its procurement team and its three facilities. ACS reports to the Associate Vice President Research & International. MBF is a 22,000 sq. ft. animal facility capable of holding 7,000 rodent cages. It is a multi-barrier facility, equipped with conventional and barrier zones and ample procedural space, which includes Containment Level 1 & 2, as well as information technology, material management, and training.

ACS, the largest animal care program in Western Canada and the second largest in Canada, is responsible for providing research support to the animal-based research community associated with the University of British Columbia and its affiliates through its veterinary services team, the compliance team, the procurement team and its facilities. ACS is committed to providing excellence in research support to all UBC researchers with accountability, communication, cooperation, customer service and integrity. ACS reports to the Associate Vice President Research & Innovation.

Organizational Status

Reports to the MBF Supervisor and Operations Manager. Works closely with the MBF Operations Manager, other supervisors, Animal Care Technicians, Cage processing staff, Clinical Veterinarians and the ACS Business Team. Liaises with researchers and their teams.

Work Performed

The MBF Assistant Supervisor is a lead worker and also a member of the team of animal care and cage processing technicians that performs animal care and cage processing and ensures the proper discharge of daily tasks and technical procedures as requested by the MBF Supervisor, Operations Manager, Clinical Veterinarians or Principal Investigators.

Day to day responsibilities include:

- Animal handling and manipulations (IV, IP, IM, SQ, per os); Assists in setting space for animals under the direction of the MBF Supervisor and Operations Manager; inventories and keeps records of each animal through Mosaic Vivarium; Coordinates the maintenance or maintains breeding colonies of various animals which include breeding, feeding, weaning and keeping records of activities; Performs rounds to observe and check the physical health and well-being of laboratory animals; Prepare health reports/daily observations; Isolate infected or ill animals and reports to Veterinarian; General housekeeping and maintenance of facility and equipment.
- Assumes the role of the MBF Supervisor or Operation Manager when the Supervisor is absent or unavailable. -Cage processing coordination - contributes to the efficiency and accuracy of the CP zone by maintaining communication with the MBF Supervisor and Operations Manager regarding delays, errors, and issues. Assists in work direction of staff in the CP zone. Provide and oversee training to CP staff in the use of equipment, techniques and procedures. Make recommendations on staff requirements and shifts to ensure maximum CP productivity. Ensure procedures and policies are consistently and correctly followed. Identifies issues with existing SOPs and recommends change to management. Ensure sanitary conditions of cage washing rooms and other rela