Quality Assurance Coordinator

About the Role

The Office of Laboratory Animal Resources (OLAR) at West Virginia University is seeking a Quality Assurance Coordinator. This role involves direct oversight of quality control and compliance programs within the department and supports the husbandry care manager in overseeing campus-wide husbandry operations. The position requires a leadership role and includes direct animal care duties. The Quality Assurance Coordinator ensures all departmental activities comply with state, federal, university policies, regulations, and AAALAC standards through audits and direct oversight.

Key Responsibilities

• Husbandry Oversight/Training
• Directly support the husbandry care manager in oversight and implementation of the husbandry care program across campus.
• Develop weekly work schedules.
• Develop and write departmental SOPs.
• Conduct routine room inspections and procedural audits of staff, evaluating adherence to SOPs within the animal facility.
• Meet with staff to evaluate current processes and procedures.
• Respond to and manage concerns with facilities (physical plant or environmental concerns).
• Participate in an after-hours (weekend, holiday) rotation for on-call facility emergency response.
• Assist with space management within the facility.
• Perform investigator building orientations and provide training for laboratories on husbandry-related activities.
• Assist with new staff training.
• Quality Control and Compliance Programs
• Maintain records for all quality control procedures conducted.
• Perform routine monitoring of all equipment and facilities, including autoclaves, cagewash equipment, anesthesia machines, O2 machines, CHARM testing, light timers, back-up power, and alarm testing.
• Work with satellite locations to provide quality control support.
• Support the OLAR director in obtaining data and establishing standards for animal husbandry and care procedures.
• Develop policies, procedures, and processes related to animal husbandry.
• Develop remedial operational plans based on quality control findings.
• Participate in site visits, including with the USDA, AAALAC, and compliance office.
• Respond to questions regarding facilities, husbandry, equipment, and animal care.
• Ensure resolution of semi-annual report findings in conjunction with the IACUC office.
• Enhance professional growth and development through educational programs, seminars, and conferences.
• Stay up-to-date on federal regulations and professional standards in laboratory animal research.
• Review/revise current institutional policies and procedures and develop new procedures to ensure compliance with regulations and standards, including biohazards and biocontainment issues.
• Direct Animal Care (Husbandry Care)
• Carry out the work of subordinates as needed during regular work week, weekends, holidays, or after hours to meet operational needs or in emergencies.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Valid Driver’s License
• Ability to read and write in English.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Ability to operate computer programs.
• Ability to work weekends, evenings, holidays, as needed. Rotation of on-call and responding to facility issues after hours is required.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field.
• A minimum of 0-6 months of experience in:
• Animal Care Experience
• Administrative Experience
• Compliance Experience
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
• Lab Animal Technologist (LATG) certification from American Association of Laboratory Animal Sciences (AALAS) is recommended and should be obtained within the first year of work.
• CMAR is recommended.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to manage time effectively and prioritize tasks.
• Ability to meet standards and workloads.
• Ability to maintain consistent attendance.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a collegial and professional manner.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to follow and provide oral and written instructions.
• Ability to supervise personnel and resolve conflicts with maturity.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality as needed.
• Ability to submit work orders.