USDA Animal Care Supervisor

About the Job

USDA Animal Care Supervisor (Prof
2)
Job Family:
Animal Health
Full/Part Time:
Full-Time, Regular
Job Code: 7192LC
Employee Class:
Civil Service
Department:
Research Animal Resources Mpls

The USDA Animal Care Supervisor 2 is responsible for the direct supervision of personnel, facilities, and equipment dedicated to the care of USDA-regulated laboratory animals and other laboratory animals. This role ensures that all activities are conducted in strict accordance with federal regulations, institutional policies, and AAALAC standards. This role serves as a key leader in promoting a culture of care and compliance, providing expert guidance to husbandry staff (including Animal Care Specialists, Laboratory Animal Attendants (LAA), and Lab Animal Care Technicians (LACT), and fostering collaborative relationships with veterinary and research personnel.

Employee Supervision & Specialized Training (40%)

• Supervise, direct, and mentor the work of husbandry staff, including Animal Care Specialist IIs (ACS), Animal Care Leads (ACL), LACTs, and LAAs, within USDA-regulated facilities.
• Provide specialized training for others as needed on the operational and regulatory management of facilities housing USDA-regulated species.
• Ensure staff implement proper and consistent husbandry care for all species & areas within assigned facilities.
• Create and manage work schedules, conduct performance (annual and probation) reviews, review and approve direct report payroll.
• Support husbandry hiring process.
• Ensure all direct reports have the necessary training, resources, and support to maintain the highest standards of animal care and safety, with a focus on mastering the appropriate care for USDA-regulated species.
• Mentor employees to further career goals and support continued educational and certification opportunities.

Regulatory Compliance & Operational Oversight (30%)

• Ensure facility compliance with all USDA, OLAW, and AAALAC standards in collaboration with the area veterinarian.
• Write, review, and continuously improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) specific to USDA species and facility operations to ensure they are current and effective.
• Serve as a subject matter expert regarding animal care and facility needs for the USDA-regulated species housed within assigned facilities, sharing this knowledge with fellow supervisors to ensure appropriate coverage during absences and weekend/holiday shifts.
• Conduct regular facility rounds and audits to ensure readiness for regulatory inspections; address and document any deficiencies with RAR management.
• Manage facility utilization, including census tracking, cage card management, and coordination of space for investigator requests.
• Implement species-specific housing enhancements (e.g., pens, hoops, and enrichment structures) for study-specific needs.
• Provide expert oversight of all animal husbandry activities, ensuring the implementation of detailed, species-specific feeding, sanitation, and enrichment plans.
• Act as a primary point of contact for animal welfare concerns, promptly reporting issues to the Area Veterinarian and collaborating on resolutions.
• Ensure all staff consistently implement proper and species-appropriate husbandry care.

Investigator & Veterinary Collaboration (15%)

• Collaborate directly with principal investigators and veterinary staff to understand research needs and ensure that all animal care activities align with approved protocols and animal welfare standards.
• Provide recommendations of animal housing and care opportunities to enhance animal welfare.
• Provide clear, professional, and timely communication regarding animal health status, facility operations, and support services.
• Conduct facility tours and provide training for lab staff on correct procedures for USDA facilities ensuring adherence to safety standards.

Teamwork & Program Support (15%)

• Collaborate with other supervisors and RAR management to ensure consistent application of policies and procedures across all programs.
• Mentor supervisory peers and other RAR staff on facility operations and regulatory management.
• Share on-call responsibilities for after-hours…