Director, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

Job Description:

Reporting to the AVP Research Regulation & Compliance, the Director of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) will have primary responsibility for administrative IACUC support, direct management of the protocol review process, and business management of the IACUC Office administrative staff. This position will assist the IACUC and AVP Research Regulation & Compliance with interpreting federal legislation and other policies. The Director will work with University-wide committees to disseminate information, provide guidance, leadership, and develop policies and procedures to assure efficient and user-friendly protocol review process and University compliance with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare at National Institutes of Health - NIH (OLAW) regulations and AAALAC, International guidance. The Director will have frequent communications with faculty and departmental administrators and will work collaboratively with many University Offices.

Scope: The Director works closely with the (IACUC) members, faculty, research staff, veterinary staff, the Animal Resource Center (ARC), Facilities Operations and Maintenance, Environmental Health and Safety as well as Employee Health in support of the University’s animal care program and research mission.

Essential Job Functions:

• The Director is responsible to provide supervision/management and oversight for the IACUC coordinator(s) and Protocol Advisor Liaison(s) and serves as the Compliance Officer. This includes distribution of workload, staff training, assisting in the recruitment and hiring of new staff when required, implementing disciplinary actions when necessary, and approving staff leave request and time sheets.
• The Director is specifically responsible for the ongoing management of the IACUC and its administrative support staff, execution of the ongoing administrative protocol regulatory review process, and the post approval process. Oversees the semi-annual facility inspections by the IACUC. The Director also plays an integral role in the regulatory portion of the program to help ensure that all UTMB animal research proposals are in compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, and University policies and procedures. In coordination with the Attending Veterinarian and the IACUC Chairman, the Director serves as Committee liaison with Principal Investigators (PIs), their staff and is the entry point for all protocol applications and modifications that enter the system, providing regulatory guidance and scientific input to prepare the applications for formal Committee review.
• The Director is responsible for maintaining current regulatory documentation for the animal care and use program, including but not limited to drafting policies, letters, annual reports, and guidance documents for review by the Committee and the Institutional Official. Additionally, UTMB’s accreditation with AAALAC, International, the universities USDA registration and Assurance with the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare allows the institution to demonstrate its commitment to responsible and compliant animal care. Director's knowledge and expertise is vital to assisting the organization in maintaining excellence in the program and UTMB's accreditation and is integral role in the re-accreditation process, including preparation of the Program Description, the site visit itself, and facilitating resolution of site visit findings.
• The Director oversees the IACUC Post Approval Monitoring program in accordance with USDA and Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) regulations. Addresses issues of animal research non-compliance with vigor and works to develop plans for immediate correction, in collaboration with the Attending Veterinarian, IACUC Chair and Institutional Official. Collaborates with the Attending Veterinarian and IACUC Chair to conduct research inquires, investigations and audits following presentation of animal welfare complaints, concerns and allegations to the IACUC. Provides information to the Institutional Official to seek appropriate resolution to issues identified. The Director serve as an UTMB representative to the USDA VMO, as well as OLAW’s Director(s) of Compliance and Assurance.

Marginal or Periodic Functions:

• Adheres to internal controls and reporting structure.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Five or more years of IACUC administration experience
• Certified Professional IACUC Administrator (CPIA)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced Degree
• AALAS CMAR and/or LATG Certification

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Five or more years of experience in laboratory animal research, including experience in IACUC administration and program management or related work experience.
• Advanced knowledge and ability to apply all relevant federal, state, and university regulations policies, and federal guidance documents.
• Advanced knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research design, scientific research concepts and terminology.
• Strong proficiency in public speaking and writing. Must be comfortable speaking to large audiences and explaining complex regulatory requirements to both scientists and lay people.
• Excellent knowledge of computer systems, their use and applications; especially software applicable to protocol submission workflow management.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to compose reports, correspondence, and summaries in a comprehensive and organize manner.
• Ability to work in a high-volume environment, overseeing and prioritizing multiple diverse tasks with deadlines.
• Demonstrated self-discipline and independent judgment completing highly complex, broadly defined assignments.
• Strong understanding of skills and tasks to provide superior customer service to facilitate research.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

UTMB Health strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, UTMB Health takes affirmative action to hire and advance women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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