Animal Ethics and Compliance Specialist

Description

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: .

Location Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 14,000 faculty and staff, over 40,000 students and 260,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. .

Working for the Department

The Research Integrity Support (RIS) portfolio encompasses services which support the Institution and its researchers in the provision of effective and responsible administration of ethics requirements for all research involving human participants, all research, teaching, and testing involving animals, and all safeguarding research initiatives. Within RIS, the University's Animal Care and Use Program supports multiple Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (ACUCs).

In addition to the management of the University's ACUC, RIS is responsible for a program of quality assurance related to the compliance monitoring of animals used in animal-based research, teaching and testing. The Post-Approval Monitoring (PAM) Program promotes harmonization and adherence to standards regulated by the Canadian Council of Animal Care and reviewed by Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC).

Position

Reporting to the Senior Officer, Animal Care and Use, the Animal Ethics and Compliance Specialist is primarily responsible for the implementation of an Institutional post-approval monitoring program in compliance with the University’s UAPPOL Animal Research Policies and Procedures and CCAC requirements. The Animal Ethics and Compliance Specialist will coordinate and conduct monitoring of and visits related to approved Animal Use Protocols, Animal Facilities under the auspices of the University of Alberta and Alternate Animal Housing spaces.

Additionally, this position will provide support to other aspects of the University’s quality assurance program for research, teaching and testing involving animals, including management of the Institutional SOP suite and training. As part of an integrated Research Integrity Support portfolio, the Animal Ethics and Compliance Specialist, supports and advises the ACUCs and research ethics office staff with regard to compliance with applicable CCAC guidelines, regulations, policy and legislation.

The position conducts or contributes to training and education activities for a range of audiences, including internal and external Faculty and student researchers and Committee members. In addition, this position will provide coverage for the ACUCs and the ACUC specialists as needed. The duties of this position are diverse and complex and require significant independent work and decision-making in a high-volume fast-paced work environment.

The Animal Ethics and Compliance Specialist must maintain an in-depth and detailed understanding of various complex and nuanced University policies and procedures, national (CCAC) and international guidelines, regulations and legislation and best practices which provide the framework for their critical thinking and decision-making. The Specialist must have strong knowledge of ethical issues in research involving the use of animals, in addition to a broad knowledge of technical procedures and terminology commonly used in animal research.

Duties

Post Approval Program

• Lead the development and advancement of the Post-Approval Program, in accordance with institutional policies, procedures and CCAC guidelines.
• Plan, coordinate, conduct and document post-approval activities including procedural and assessments to verify compliance and ensure that high standards for animal care is in compliance with approved protocols, training, best practices, university policies and Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines.
• Work with Senior Officer, Veterinarians, ACUC Chairs and ACUC Specialists to resolve issues promptly and provide advice and guidance on corrective measures and ensure recommendations are implemented in a specific timeframe.
• Participate in ACUC meetings as required for Post-Approval Monitoring issues.
• Maintain records in order to plan, track, and report on assessment status, findings, recommendations and follow-up.
• Gather information for animal welfare incident investigations as required. Assist with drafting reports of these situations.
• Prioritize assignments based on risk evaluation and/or at the request of the ACUC or the Senior Officer.
• Prioritize assignments based on risk evaluation and/or at the request of the ACUC or the Senior Officer.
• In scenarios of noncompliance, gaps in knowledge, deficiencies in skill, or animal welfare incidents, documents and report the noncompliant activity to the Senior Officer, Compliance Veterinarian and appropriate ACUC as required.

Facility, procedural spaces and site assessments

• Participate in annual ACUC site visits of animal care facilities and assist in the follow-up of recommendations. Leads the administrative coordination of logistics, and administration of certificates of approval, arising from visits.
• Independently identifies deficiencies and participates in establishing procedures or best practices related to animal care and compliance within facility, procedural spaces and/or through site assessments.
• Work with animal facility management, staff, and researchers to ensure animal procedures, animal housing, and husbandry practices comply with regulatory standards.
• In cases of identified noncompliance, work with various stakeholders across campus to ensure proper corrective actions are taken. Document and draft reports with the ACUC Specialist within mandated timeframes.

Training and SOPs

• Lead the development and advancement of institutional Standard Operational Procedure review in accordance with institutional policies, procedures and CCAC.
• Through consultation with institutional veterinarians and researchers suggests institutional SOPs that should be considered for development. Through a scan of Participate in the delivery and administration of the Institutional Animal User Training Program.
• Review training requirements and promote best practices. Work with Institutional Animal User Training Program (IAUTP) team to recommend further training if required and to follow up on training files to ensure appropriate training of staff and students.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Formal Education:

• Minimum BSc in life science or Registered Veterinary Technologist is required.
• Advanced training (MSc or PhD) involving animal research is preferred.
• CALAS certification (RLAT or RMLAT) is preferred.
• A strong background in experimental animal research is essential.
• Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years-experience in a university setting where animal research is conducted is preferred. Experience with a wide variety of laboratory animals, such as rodents, aquatic animals, large animals, as well as familiarity with best practice technical and/or surgical standards and procedures involved in research is required.
• Experience with quality assurance and regulatory affairs in animal research is preferred.
• Experience and proficiency with a variety of computer programs including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Suite), email programs, animal ethics protocol management software (e.g. ARISE), and vivarium management software are highly advantageous.
• Other:

• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills are required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Sensitivity, discretion, courtesy, professionalism and high ethical standards are required.
• Training and knowledge in laboratory safety.
• Excellent track record dealing with conflict management and conflict resolution with a friendly and approachable attitude.
• Ability to deal effectively and diplomatically in delicate situations, to guide and influence people.
• Sound knowledge of CCAC Guidelines, provincial regulations and other applicable laws, regulations and guidelines governing laboratory (including agricultural) animal care and use.
• Familiarity with university processes for protected disclosure.
• Ability to travel to work at multiple campuses including.
• Valid Drivers License.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

The University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women; First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

Note: This opportunity will be available until midnight July 8, 2024, Edmonton, Alberta local time.