Operations Coordinator

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**The opportunity**:
Under general supervision of the Director, the Operations Coordinator is responsible to ensure that physical plant operation, major equipment operation, and monitoring systems are co-ordinated to facilitate the smooth operation of all facets of CACS. The Operations Coordinator reports directly to the Director on these matters.

The incumbent acts as a support to the office assistant in working with purchasing agents and liaises with vendors to establish purchasing arrangements for various animal care products and services and equipment maintenance services. The incumbent holds a departmental Visa card in order to purchase various supplies and materials from various vendors. The goal is to ensure that all animal care supplies are of the highest quality, handled with appropriate care during transport and storage, available on a constant delivery basis and for reasonable costs.

The incumbent acts in a support and oversight role to the department truck driver in the delivery and receipt of all goods and service to ensure inventories are never depleted and that transport of goods and services is done in a manner to protect the material from damage or contamination from external sources. This is especially critical in the movements of live animals, animal feed stuffs and veterinary drugs and most often this transport is carried out using the dedicated cube van belonging to the department.

The incumbent manages the operation of all major equipment in several animal care facilities ensuring that the machines are operating efficiently, establishing and monitoring preventative maintenance service packages held with various external contractors to ensure service visits are conducted as per the PM schedule, and performing routine maintenance and making minor repairs. The operation of the machines is monitored and assessed on a regular basis and problems requiring servicing by external personnel are directed to the attention of the appropriate vendor. The incumbent liaises with the manufacturers of the machines, external maintenance contractors and PPEM personnel to establish routine maintenance, to keep common replacement parts in stock and to troubleshoot problems so that problems are quickly resolved. Records are kept for all service packages, all autoclaves, biological safety cabinets, cage and rack washers, individually ventilated rodent housing equipment, cage change stations, and fish rack housing systems. These pieces of equipment represent the heart of the animal care operation and ongoing efficient sanitation is critical to protect millions of dollars of research investment in animal models/colonies.

The incumbent will be responsible for interviewing, recommending, and overseeing summer vacation replacement staff and will be responsible for orientation and training new staff to ensure CACS is meeting it’s regulatory requirements in regards to animal care.

The incumbent will work closely with area supervisors to address problems in their units including equipment issues, supply issues, facility problems and animal shipment/deliveries. The incumbent will provide training on major pieces of equipment.

The incumbent acts as the department’s WHMIS Coordinator, monitors/upkeeps First Aid kits, keeps records of workplace injuries, and liaises with the Environmental Health and Safety office to ensure departmental staff are trained in Emergency First Aid to meet provincial legislation.

**The qualifications and experience we’re looking for**:
Bachelors degree in a related discipline is required. Certification in CALAS/ACSAL, Registered Laboratory Animal Technician would be an asset but may be obtained on the job. Training equivalent to Journeyman trade will be an asset, but not essential, and/or practical working experience in the trades. Minimum 5 years experience diagnosing/repairing both animal care housing systems and support equipment required. Minimum 5 years in a recognized laboratory animal facility preferred. Minimum 2 years experience interacting with mechanical/electrical maintenance personnel and administering maintenance and service programs for various equipment preferred. Must be