Posting Summary

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Purpose:
Reporting to the University Veterinarian and Director, Veterinary Services, the Operations Manager, Vivaria provides operational leadership for York University's animal research and teaching facilities. The role is responsible for day-to-day Vivaria operations, staff supervision, facility readiness, service coordination, operational planning, budgets, records, safety, and continuity of operations. Working under the animal welfare, veterinary care, and compliance authority of the University Veterinarian and Director, Veterinary Services, the role supports high standards of animal welfare, safe and effective support for animal users, and compliance with Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines, the Animals for Research Act, OMAFA requirements, and applicable institutional, provincial, and federal requirements. The Operations Manager serves as a key operational liaison among Veterinary Services, researchers, laboratory personnel, Facilities Services, Faculties, VPRI, the Animal Care Committee (ACC), and relevant regulatory or inspection bodies to support safe, compliant, responsive and efficient Vivaria operations.

Education:

- Bachelor's degree in a related discipline such as animal health, veterinary technology, biological sciences, laboratory animal science, or a related field
- Laboratory animal science training, CALAS certification, or registered laboratory animal technician training.

Experience:

- 5 years of related experience in a research animal care, laboratory animal, veterinary, or regulated animal facility environment, including experience applying CCAC guidelines, Animals for Research Act requirements, OMAFA requirements, institutional SOPs, and animal care compliance processes.
- 3 years of people-management experience, including supervision, scheduling, training, performance management, attendance management, conflict resolution, and working within collective agreement or unionized workplace.
- Experience working as a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) or in a comparable animal health role.
- Experience supporting an animal use program and working collaboratively with researchers, trainees, veterinary staff, animal care staff, and administrative partners to enable approved animal-based research while maintaining animal welfare, compliance, and operational continuity.
- Experience coordinating facility operations, equipment maintenance, environmental monitoring, access/security processes, procurement, inventory, and response to operational or infrastructure issues in a regulated facility environment.

Skills:
Knowledge
- Training or certification in supervision, operations management, project management, facilities management, occupational health and safety, or related administrative/management areas.
- Knowledge of health surveillance, quality assurance, and barrier facility practices, programs, and procedures for maintaining facilities' designated health status.
- Knowledge of animal facility infrastructure and environmental control requirements, including HVAC, temperature and humidity monitoring, cage wash operations, containment or barrier practices, access control, equipment maintenance, emergency response, and escalation of critical systems failure.
- Knowledge of the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair coordination, lifecycle planning, and replacement of animal care and research equipment.
- Knowledge and understanding of regulations, guidelines, and standards for the care of laboratory animals.Skills
- Effective analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to diagnose issues, define root causes, and develop effective solutions independently.
- Ability to communicate clearly and constructively with researchers, trainees, animal care staff, veterinarians, Facilities Services, Faculties, and senior administrators, including in sensitive or contentious situations.
- Ability to manage workload and competing priorities, optimize resources, and meet deadlines in a high-pressure environment.
- Commitment to continuous improvement, with a focus on enhancing processes, efficiency, and service delivery. effective solutions-focused problem-solving skills.
- Ability to address, de-escalate, and resolve sensitive or contentious situations where appropriate, and to identify matters requiring escalation to the University Veterinarian, Animal Care Committee, Faculties, VPRI, HR, or Facilities Services.
- Effective planning and organizational skills, including the ability to mobilize resources, prioritize tasks, and adapt to changing operational demands. able to conceptualize and take initiatives to improve processes and systems.
- Ability to lead and facilitate change, driving improvements in operations, systems, and team performance.
- Ability to manage staff in a unionized environment with fairness, consistency, documentation, sound judgment, and respect for collective agreement requirements.
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and remain open to diverse perspectives and approaches.
- High level of professionalism, accountability, and attention to detail, with pride in quality of work.
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive issues and difficult situations in a tactful and diplomatic manner. ability to remain composed and effective in challenging or sensitive situations.
- Effective change management skills.
- Proficient with Microsoft 365 including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Additional Notes:
Note: Role requires verification of degree(s)/credential(s)
- Work is performed primarily in animal research facilities on the Keele campus.
- Required to work in controlled animal care and research environments in accordance with established health, safety, and biosafety protocols.

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*Compensation:
York's CPM Compensation Framework has a salary grid consisting of 6 or 8 steps (depending on job grade) which is reviewed annually with possible adjustments, and a lump sum Performance Based Recognition Award. Employees will receive the grid adjustment and depending on performance, eligible permanent employees may move to the next step of the grid and may receive a lump sum Performance Based Recognition Award.Visit the CPM Compensation page on the HR Website to find out more about York's CPM Compensation Program.

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