Supervisor, Animal Behavioral Management Specialist (Social Housing Program)

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Description

The Behavioral Management Unit within the Emory National Primate Research Center at Emory University is currently seeking a full-time Supervisor, Animal Social Housing Specialist - Behavior Management to join our team and to lead our program of social housing for indoor-housed macaques. Our work consists of the development, implementation, and evaluation of behavioral management techniques for our population of nonhuman primates. These techniques include behavioral assessment, environmental enrichment, social housing, and animal training to address behavioral and welfare needs. Our work is science based and our goal is to improve captive primate welfare and support essential biomedical science. We share our research findings with the scientific community via publications, presentations, webinars and workshops.

The ideal candidate has experience with macaque pair housing and behavioral data collection, competent with data management and electronic record keeping, motivated, dependable, detail-oriented, have a positive attitude and passion for research and leadership. The Animal Behavioral Management, Supervisor (Social Housing Specialist) will be responsible for the coordination of the pair housing program at EPC and must be a team leader who is willing to learn on the job and collaborate with colleagues within and outside of the Behavioral Management Unit. The candidate should have experience with data manipulation, statistical analysis of data, and ideally, presenting work at scientific conferences and publishing findings. The candidate should have experience supervising behavioral management staff. The Animal Behavioral Management, Supervisor will work to ensure the highest quality of animal welfare and behavioral management implementation and support, and will have good communication skills with co-workers, the management team, animal care, veterinary medicine, research staff, students, and other support services.

Collaborate. Innovate. Serve. These three simple words capture what we do at EPC to help advance science and improve the health and well-being of humans and non-human primates. If you are someone with non-human primate pair housing experience who is familiar with direct application and assessment of behavioral management techniques (enrichment, social introductions, and animal training), and possesses data management and record keeping skills this is an amazing opportunity to enhance animal welfare and make a positive impact in the science and research community.

Dedicated to discovering causes, preventions, treatments, and cures of disease, Emory National Primate Research Center (EPC) is improving human and animal health and lives worldwide. One of seven NPRCs funded by the NIH, EPC conducts studies that make breakthrough discoveries possible. Learn more at http://enprc.emory.edu

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• Positions within the Emory National Primate Research Center will be working with nonhuman primates, while employees in the School of Medicine Division of Animal Resources will be working with other laboratory animals, such as pigs and ferrets.

• Administers social housing program for macaques by hiring and supervising behavioral management personnel; participating in project planning; and developing, implementing and evaluating social housing techniques and procedures.

• Supervises staff by orienting, training, and providing performance feedback.

• Coordinates social housing activities and decisions of Animal Behavioral Management staff, with Animal Care staff, Veterinary staff, and research staff members.

• Coordinates with Shop staff for the construction, repair, and redesign of social housing equipment.

• Trains Animal Care and Animal Behavioral Management staff.

• Responsible for ordering supplies needed for social housing program.

• Designs, develops, and tests enrichment techniques, new ideas for enhancing captive environments, and interventions in terms of practicality, use by animals, and efficacy for improving behavior as it relates to the social housing program.

• Coordinates socialization program with the goal of increasing compatible social pairs and streamlining socialization process.

• Coordinates positive reinforcement animal training program with the goals of facilitating husbandry, veterinary, research and reducing the stress of these procedures to the animals as it relates to the social housing program.

• Designs, develops, and implements specific social housing procedures and oversees the implementation by others.

• Identifies program of intervention for those animals that need specialized therapy for observed behavioral/social problems.

• Coordinates documentation of social housing procedures and generates written and numeric progress reports on the social housing program.

• Provides expertise and training in methodology, and basic behavioral management applications.

• Prepares and monitors social housing related budgets under supervision of the Head of Behavioral Management.

• Assists in developing and submitting grant proposals and in monitoring grant expenditures.

• Advises Head of Behavioral Management of changes in reporting or accounting requirements and assists behavioral management staff in meeting requirements.

• Performs a wide range of behavioral management evaluations for routine and specialized studies.

• Selects or develops effective research methodologies.

• Collects and analyzes results of studies and provides interpretation of results.

• Co-authors or authors publications based on behavioral management findings.

• Performs related responsibilities as required.

• Indoor and outdoor work environment, exposure to biohazards and potentially dangerous animals.

• Employees in this classification may be required to work with, take specific precautions against and/or be immunized against potentially hazardous agents.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field such as Biology, Psychology, Zoology, Anthropology, or Wildlife Management.

• LATG Certification through AALAS required.

• Four years of relevant experience in enrichment and/or behavioral research of which one year is in a supervisory role or equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with a wide variety of personnel.

• Excellent time management and organizational skills.

PREFERRED/DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience pair housing and understanding of macaque social behavior.

• Highly knowledgeable and proficient in Excel.

• Excellent behavioral observation skills.

• Excellent data management skills.

• Excellent logistical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent multitasking abilities.

• Excellent interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills.

• Superior attention to detail.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Work environment both seated at desk/computer and inside animal areas.

• Work environment around biohazardous blood and tissues although this is not typical.

• Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.

• Indoor and outdoor work environment, exposure to biohazards and potentially dangerous animals.

• Requires the ability to bend, kneel, and/or squat.

• Work schedule and other details to be communicated by the hiring manager.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING STATEMENT:

Emory NPRC in conjunction with Emory University conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which may include an INA and criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications, drug screening, health assessment, requirement of various vaccinations (including COVID-19 plus one booster if job requires hands-on contact with animals/NHP). Employment is contingent upon a clear background screening.

NOTE: Position tasks are generally required to be performed in-person at an Emory University location. Remote work from home day options may be granted at department discretion. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.

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Emory University is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, genetic information, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and veteran's status. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment on the basis of any factor stated above or prohibited under applicable law. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in University programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Executive Order 11246, as amended, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action. Emory University is committed to achieving a diverse workforce through application of its affirmative action, equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policy in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Inclusion, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Emory University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at 404-727-9877 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD). Please note that one week advance notice is preferred.