JOB TITLE: FDA Training Coordinator/Laboratory Animal Trainer II

About the Role

Work assignments are based on contract needs and may include the following duties in support of FDA laboratory animal training and operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide competent and responsible training of contract staff for all Task Orders within the facility.
• Supervise and control staff resources, performance goals, contract deliverables, and compliance with facility SOPs and health and safety programs.
• Develop, present, and deliver SOP-driven technical training for all departmental positions (cagewash, animal care technicians, veterinary technicians, research assistants, and supervisors).
• Work closely with department managers to ensure and sustain staff competency across all animal care and research support functions.
• Lead onboarding training for new hires and staff promotions.
• Lead training development for new animal studies and protocols, ensuring staff readiness prior to study initiation.
• Provide hands-on technical support across all departments, demonstrating proficiency in laboratory animal handling, husbandry, and research procedures for all species maintained at the facility.
• Coordinate and facilitate AALAS certification preparation and examination processes.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive training database tracking all Task Order staff training records and certifications.
• Draft, review, and maintain facility SOPs in collaboration with management and client stakeholders.
• Collaborate with client and contract management on the development and oversight of training initiatives.
• Monitor facility environmental parameters and support animal facility management and monitoring systems.
• Ensure all work is performed in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (ILAR, 2011), applicable ACUC protocols, and Quality Assurance Standards.
• Perform weekend, holiday, and after-hours work as necessary to meet operational needs.
• Supervise new trainees during initial training or as designated by the Program Manager, and other staff members as assigned.

Relationships

• Internal: Contract staff members (all departments), Contract Supervisors, Contract Management Team.
• External: FDA Researcher(s), FDA Project Officer(s), FDA Veterinarian(s).

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED required; Bachelor of Science degree preferred.
• Literate in written and spoken English.
• American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification at the Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) level required.
• Demonstrated experience with multiple species including NHPs, rodents, ferrets, and rabbits; broad species competency strongly preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of animal facility operations, biosafety requirements, and regulatory compliance standards (IACUC, AWA, Guide).
• Broad technical proficiency across laboratory animal procedures, research support tasks, and facility management systems.
• 5 years’ experience in an animal research environment and 3 years’ experience as a veterinary technician preferred.
• Fundamental knowledge and experience in a teaching environment working with diverse team members.

Working Environment

The trainer will work in all aspects of the indoor laboratory environment and may be exposed to hot and humid conditions. Full personal protective equipment (PPE) is required as specified by applicable SOPs, which may include hair bonnet, shoe covers, scrubs, mask, gloves, and Tyvek suit. Exposure to ABSL1–3 environments is expected depending on facility assignment.

Physical Demands

• Lift 50 pounds: Sometimes
• Pull 30 pounds: Sometimes
• Bending: Most of the time
• Walking: Most of the time
• Standing: Most of the time
• Stooping: Most of the time
• Kneeling: Sometimes
• Sitting: Sometimes