Animal Welfare Program Compliance Specialist

Job Summary

We are seeking an Animal Welfare Program Compliance Specialist to support our CRADL sites. This position is based in Cambridge, MA, and follows a hybrid work model, requiring a combination of on-site and remote work.

This individual coordinates the execution of the Charles River animal welfare program at Insourcing Solutions CRADL sites. Ensures internal programmatic alignment in practices between sites and liaises between animal welfare teams, IACUC, Operations, EHS, and Veterinary Services utilizing resources from and ensuring compliance with Global Animal Welfare & Training. Supports correspondence with regulatory and accrediting agencies as well as internal and external auditors and ensures timely follow up to findings or areas of programmatic improvement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

• Responsible for scheduling and organizing North America CRADL Animal Welfare Team meetings
• Administer Animal Welfare Team meetings and record minutes including reported animal welfare events, follow-up, resolution, and other discussions pertaining to long-term animal welfare initiatives
• Attend IACUC meetings and present summaries of animal welfare events and updates, responding to and/or relaying committee questions and concerns as needed
• Ensure that each vivarium has a designated and trained primary Animal Welfare Specialist at the technician level and a backup at the supervisor level.
• Ensure that clients and staff are trained and familiar with animal welfare event reporting processes and able to identify their site’s Animal Welfare Specialists
• Conducts internal quality assurance procedures as part of the Post Approval Monitoring program
• Maintains tracking documentation of Post-Approval Monitoring activity and assign follow up actions as needed
• With operations team, assist in updating and implementing the Quality Improvement and Assurance program documentation across sites
• Schedule and coordinate internal corporate program audits and visits, providing necessary documentation and organizing follow-up correspondence with input from appropriate stakeholders
• Assist in producing reports for the Institutional Official
• Work with management to ensure site compliance with Charles River animal welfare event reporting processes, including updated signage appropriately posted
• Ensure Annual Welfare Training is completed and maintain documentation of signed animal welfare pledges
• Maintain consistency between sites by advising site Animal Welfare Teams on responding to animal welfare events in congruency with similar events or trends at other sites

Essenttial Duties and Responsbilities (continued)

• Serve as a Resiliency Ambassador through the resiliency program in Global Animal Welfare & Training
• Identify additional candidates for Resiliency Ambassador and provide support for broadening the presence of the Resiliency program
• Assist in processing client requests for documents such as Inter-Institutional Assurances, Memoranda of Understanding, etc., and ensure timely correspondence
• Coordinate necessary correspondence with client funding agencies
• Monitor research regulatory changes including federal, state and local compliance
• Participate in initiatives and strategic plans including programmatic changes based on updated regulations and or site visit recommendation
• Encourage innovations and process refinements that promote animal welfare by identifying potential nominees for programs such as PAWS awards
• Coordinate the discussion, trial, and implementation of animal welfare initiatives to ensure alignment and consistency across sites
• Identify trends in animal welfare events and concerns across sites and convey information to Attending Veterinarian and to relevant stakeholders, e.g. procurement and operation
• Participate in the Animal Welfare Network by attending quarterly calls and staying apprised of trends across Charles River, applying lessons learned
• Under the direction of the Attending Veterinarian or designee, propose, assign, and/or coordinate the implementation of policy and practice changes to promote animal welfare
• Work to develop, cultivate, and maintain constructive working relationships with clients, IACUC members, and relevant teams to facilitate communication of animal welfare concerns and
  actions taken to address them
• Assist leadership to organize and ensure timely correspondence with external regulatory agencies, examples include AAALAC, OLAW, DEA, the Cambridge Commissioner on
  Laboratory Animals
• Schedule and coordinate external site visits and inspections, providing necessary documentation and organizing follow-up correspondence to leadership
• Assist with semiannual facility inspections and program reviews as needed

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following are the minimum qualifications for this role:

• Associate degree (A.A./A.S.) or Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) in animal, laboratory, or life science field.
• Minimum of three (3) years working in animal programs supporting veterinary staff or laboratory animal programs.
• Minimum of (2) years’ experience with an electronic protocol management system.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Administrative experience.
• Previous IACUC and laboratory animal veterinary technician experience.
• Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification from AALAS and Certified Professional IACUC Administration (CPIA). 

The hourly range for this position is $34.50-$39.50.  Please note that salaries vary within the range based on factors including experience, skills, education, certifications, and location.