Vivarium Facility Engineer

Summary

The Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) is recruiting for the position of Vivarium Facility Engineer (VFE). In this role the VFE is responsible for the planning, coordination, management of mechanical systems for all vivarium facilities and support spaces on campus. They will ensure accordance of our facilities to all regulatory expectations and report regularly to both animal program and ULAM leadership teams. The VFE will be responsible for preparation of annual and forecasted budgets, as well as monitor and report on expenditures. They will work in partnership with procurement offices in both ULAM and campus to request bids for larger projects, providing justification for sole sources when applicable and ordering all capital equipment essential for the operations of our housing and husbandry facilities. Position reports to the Managing Director of Campus Animal Care with responsibility to the Animal Care and Use Program (ACUP). Please provide a cover letter with your application. Responsibilities include efforts in the following categories but are not limited to the descriptions below.

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Responsibilities*

Animal Facility Planning, Construction, Operations, Maintenance, and Upkeep - 65%

• Ensure that facilities are maintained according to all relevant regulations such as The Guide for the Care and Use of Animals, the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service policy, and other applicable regulations.
• Review and approve for scheduling vivarium mechanical shutdowns.
• Liaise with laboratories and principal investigators (PIs) regarding shutdowns (scheduled and unscheduled) and construction projects.
• Identify and include ULAM and laboratory stakeholders for project planning.
• Work with facilities and architecture engineering & construction (AEC) on any renovations or new construction projects involving animal housing or use locations from design through final commissioning.
• Establish priorities for maintenance including general fund, customer pay, renovations, AEC projects etc.
• Coordinate annual testing of building automated systems (BAS) alarms.
• Coordinate ULAM fleet maintenance.
• Provide after-hours response to facility emergencies.

Capital Equipment Budget Management -15%

• Assess expected life expectancy of all major equipment for forecasting replacement/planning.
• Responsible for capital equipment budget, controlling cost, planning, scheduling, and procedural changes.
• Oversee the maintenance and ordering of new equipment, both fixed and non-fixed animal care related equipment.
• Establish and review all service maintenance contracts.
• Facilitate asset management for equipment inventory in partnership with central procurement office.

ULAM Space Management - 10%

• Works with ULAM Leadership on strategies for efficient use of space inside vivarium facilities.
• Responsible for participation in strategic planning, design, and forecasting of animal housing space needs.
• Primary contact for review of new animal housing or use space requests and close coordination with Animal Care and Use Office (ACUO).
• Complete annual space survey.

Supervisory Duties- 5%

• Supervision of up to 5 full time equivalent employees.
• Manage the staff, schedule, and process for repairing and designing equipment in the ULAM engineering shop, as well as supervise the sheep research facility.

Regulatory support - 5%

• Active participation in developing the AAALAC program description and site visit.
• Member of the emergency operations plan (EOP) - ULAM coordination team, responsible for ensuring mechanical functions of the plan are available (e.g. back up water supply, BAS reporting, generator tests).
• Responsible for triennial heating, ventilation, & air conditioning (HVAC) measurements in preparation of AAALAC HVAC table.

Required Qualifications*

• Applicants should possess a bachelor's degree in the biological sciences or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ten years' experience in laboratory animal science and eight years' supervisory and managerial experience in a large laboratory animal facility.
• AALAS certification at the LATg level.
• Possess strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Proficient in the use and understanding of Word, Excel, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Applicants should have demonstrated organizational skills and be able to work independently.
• Experience working in an AAALAC accredited facility.

Desired Qualifications*

• Certification by the Institute for Laboratory Animal Management (ILAM).
• Experience with AAALAC HVAC table requirements.
• Experience with labor relations for staffing support.
• Familiar with eResearch Animal Management database (eRAM) reporting and querying.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.