Associate Director, Research Animal Welfare

Job Title

Associate Director, Research Animal Welfare

Agency

Texas A&M University System Offices

Department

Research Compliance Office

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Dallas, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

The System Offices is one of several system members within the Texas A&M University System representing one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a network of 12 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, Texas A&M – Fort Worth and the Texas A&M - RELLIS Campus. The Texas A&M University System mission is to provide education, conduct research, commercialize technology, offer training, and deliver services for the people of Texas and beyond.

The System Offices, within the Texas A&M University System, provides an outstanding benefits package including, but not limited to: competitive health benefits; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; a defined benefit retirement plan to include an employer contribution through Teachers Retirement System of Texas (TRS); if applicable, a defined contribution retirement plan to include an employer contribution through an approved ORP vendor: additional voluntary tax deferred annuity (TDA) options; tuition assistance; and wellness programs to promote work/life balance.

Salary:

Commensurate with experience.

Job Description Summary:

The Associate Director, Research Animal Welfare serves as the Attending Veterinarian for assigned Texas A&M University System members and provides operational leadership, veterinary consultation, compliance support, and programmatic oversight for institutional animal care and use programs. Working under the direction of the Director, Research Animal Welfare, this position assists member institutions in maintaining compliant, effective, and high-quality animal care and use programs, supports implementation of System animal welfare initiatives, and

serves as a primary veterinary resource for assigned institutions.

Responsibilities:

Animal Welfare & Veterinary Care

- Serve as the Attending Veterinarian (AV), AV designee, and/or alternate or back-up AV for assigned System members.

- Provide veterinary oversight for animal care and use programs at assigned institutions.

- Deliver clinical veterinary consultation and services including diagnostics, treatments, preventive medicine, and emergency response as needed.

- Coordinate with clinical veterinarians and institutional personnel to ensure adequate veterinary care.

- Develop, review, and implement animal care and use programs consistent with USDA, NIH, AAALAC, DoD/ACURO, and other applicable requirements.

- Assist with the development and review of standard operating procedures (SOPs), guidelines, contingency plans, and institutional policies related to animal care and use.

- Evaluate veterinary care programs and animal care operations and provide veterinary recommendations.

- Communicate regularly with institutional leadership, IOs, and IACUC leadership regarding veterinary and animal welfare matters.

IACUC Membership

- Serve as the veterinary member or alternate veterinary member of assigned System member IACUCs.

- Provide veterinary consultation during protocol development and protocol review.

- Participate in IACUC meetings, semiannual program reviews, facility inspections, and investigations as required.

- Provide education and training to IACUC members and institutional personnel.

- Assist institutions in evaluating and resolving animal welfare concerns and compliance issues.

Compliance and Accreditation Support

- Support institutional compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements governing animal care and use.

- Assist institutions in preparation for USDA inspections, OLAW oversight activities, sponsor reviews, and AAALAC accreditation activities.

- Support development, implementation, and follow-up of corrective action plans.

- Monitor progress on corrective actions and institutional commitments resulting from inspections, accreditation reviews, and compliance assessments.

- Assist with post-approval monitoring activities and institutional program assessments.

- Support oversight of animal activities involving hazardous agents through participation on IBCs or through veterinary consultation as applicable.

Researcher Support and Education

- Provide veterinary consultation to investigators during project planning and implementation.

- Assist researchers in developing animal use procedures and veterinary care plans.

- Participate in the development and delivery of educational programs related to animal welfare, veterinary care, and regulatory requirements.

- Provide guidance regarding best practices for animal care and use.

Program Implementation and Institutional Support

- Collaborate with the Director, Research Animal Welfare to implement veterinary oversight activities for assigned System members.

- Assist member institutions in implementing System standards while recognizing institution-specific operational needs.

- Conduct institutional program assessments, site visits, and special projects.

- Assist in identifying emerging risks and opportunities for harmonization of animal care and use practices across the System.

- Support System-wide training and outreach initiatives related to research compliance and animal welfare.

- Assist member institutions in developing and implementing sustainable animal care and use operations.

- Serve as a liaison between assigned institutions and the System Research Compliance Office.

- Assist in developing guidance documents, training materials, and best practices for use across System members.

- Participate in strategic and operational initiatives designed to strengthen animal welfare and research compliance programs.

Other Duties

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

- Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or equivalent) from an AVMA-accredited college of veterinary medicine.

- Five years of progressively responsible experience in laboratory animal medicine, research animal program oversight, IACUC administration, research compliance, or a related field, including experience working within USDA-registered, PHS-assured, and/or AAALAC-accredited animal care and use programs.

Registration, Certifications, and Licenses:

- Ability to obtain a Texas veterinary license

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

- Knowledge of federal regulations, policies, and accreditation standards governing animal care and use.

- Knowledge of veterinary care programs, IACUC operations, and research compliance processes.

- Strong clinical and surgical veterinary skills.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

- Strong organizational and analytical skills.

- Ability to independently manage multiple institutional relationships and priorities.

- Ability to cultivate and maintain professional working relationships.

- Ability to train and mentor researchers, committee members, and animal care personnel.

- Ability to work cooperatively with others in a collaborative service-oriented environment.

- Ability to travel up to 50% of work time.

- Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Qualifications:

• - License to practice veterinary medicine in Texas.
• - ACLAM board eligibility.
• - CPIA, DACAW, DACLAM, or other relevant laboratory animal or compliance credential

Other Requirements:

This is a security-sensitive position and is restricted to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents only. Only complete applications will be considered for employment at The Texas A&M System Offices. Incomplete job application data could result in your application being rejected without an option to reapply. A cover letter and resume may be required in addition to a completed employment application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is c