USDA Animal Care Supervisor

Position Overview

The USDA Animal Care Supervisor 3 is responsible for the comprehensive oversight of personnel, facilities, and equipment dedicated to the care of USDA-regulated and Biohazard research, teaching animals and other research animals. This role supervises the most expert husbandry staff, including Animal Care Specialist IIIs, and is responsible for ensuring all husbandry operations meet regulatory compliance standards, in close partnership with the area veterinarian.

The incumbent is expected to solve complex technical and logistical problems, provide expert guidance to junior supervisors, and lead initiatives to ensure the highest standards of animal care and welfare.

• Supervise, direct, and mentor the work of husbandry staff, including Animal Care Specialist IIIs (ACS), Animal Care Specialist IIs (ACS), Animal Care Leads (ACL), Lab Animal Care Technicians (LACT), and Lab Animal Attendants (LAA) within USDA-regulated and large animal BSL‑2 facilities.
• Delegate responsibilities to Animal Care Specialist IIIs and other lead workers, providing guidance on scheduling, task delegation, and conflict resolution.
• Participate in and support training in collaboration with the Training Director and Animal Care Manager for all levels of staff, including peers and researchers, on the operational and regulatory management of complex USDA & BSL‑2 facilities.
• Ensure staff implement proper and consistent husbandry care for all species & areas within assigned facilities, including large animal BSL‑2 facilities.
• Support husbandry hiring process.
• Create and manage work schedules, conduct performance reviews (annual & probation), approve payroll, and manage all aspects of employee relations for direct reports.
• Mentor employees to further career goals and support continued educational and certification opportunities.

• Ensure facility compliance with all USDA, OLAW, and AAALAC standards, developing and implementing policies to meet and exceed these standards in collaboration with the area veterinarian and other RAR leaders.
• Serve as a subject matter expert regarding animal care and facility needs for the USDA‑regulated species housed within assigned facilities, including large animal BSL‑2 facilities. Share this knowledge as needed with fellow supervisors to ensure they have the knowledge needed to provide appropriate coverage during absences and weekend/holiday shifts.
• Lead the development, review, and creation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all facility operations, from animal care to equipment maintenance and biosecurity.
• Lead preparations with the area veterinarian for all regulatory site visits (AAALAC, USDA, IACUC) and serve as a point of contact and tour lead for inspectors.
• Oversee all facility management, including census, space allocation, and coordination with maintenance and vendors for preventative maintenance and repairs of large equipment (skid loaders, manure spreaders, etc.).
• Coordinate BSL‑2 large animal research studies, including room entry protocols, verification of specialized supplies, and overseeing the end of the study decontamination process.
• Implement species‑specific housing enhancements (e.g., pens, hoops, and enrichment structures) for study specific needs.
• Collaboration with FM to set the rooms up to meet the PIs (researchers) environmental parameters when needed for specific studies.

• Provide consultation to principal investigators in collaboration with veterinary staff on specialized housing, restraint, care and study needs based on experimental requirements and animal behavior. Ensure that all animal care activities align with approved protocols and animal welfare standards.
• Ensure all animal welfare standards are met, especially in challenging conditions such as extreme weather, and approve remediation plans developed by staff.
• 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…