UNIV-Research Specialist II-DLAR

Training and Oversight

Provide training and oversight to include but not limited to DLAR employees and research staff as it pertains to animal facility use.

Training Development

• Assist in reviewing, updating, and maintaining SOPs and other training documentation to ensure accuracy, accessibility, and compliance with company policies and regulations.
• Help develop curriculum and e-learning content using approved instructional design principles and tools, ensuring materials are engaging, practical, and visually aligned with company branding.
• Adapt or customize training content and visuals for different departments, roles, and skill levels.
• Prepare and organize training materials, including workbooks, handouts, and digital resources, for assigned sessions.
• Test digital content and troubleshoot basic technical or formatting issues prior to release.
• Support evaluation of training effectiveness through assessments, observations, and feedback collection.

Training Delivery

• Deliver training sessions, presentations, and hands-on instruction for employees as assigned, ensuring clarity and practical application of procedures.
• Conduct hands-on training for new DLAR employees to ensure proper workflow, procedures, and facility protocols are understood.
• Conduct hands-on skill demonstrations and coaching sessions to reinforce learning and staff development.
• Support delivery of safety training, including proper PPE use, hazard awareness, and safe equipment operation.
• Present tick@lab procedures and provide hands-on demonstrations to support effective software use.
• Aid in facilitating discussions, answering questions, and reinforcing key concepts during training sessions.

Staff Development

• Assist in identifying training and professional development needs for staff working in DLAR and research facilities.
• Support mentorship and coaching activities by organizing sessions, providing resources, and offering guidance as directed.
• Help staff set and track development goals aligned with organizational objectives.
• Aid in providing constructive feedback and resources to support skill growth.
• Aid in preparing staff for expanded responsibilities and future career progression.
• Support initiatives that prepare staff for expanded responsibilities and future career progression.
• Provide support for employees pursuing AALAS certifications, including guidance, resources, and practice materials as directed.

Safety Support and Liaison

• Observe, report potential hazards, and assist with hazard tracking and compliance documentation.
• Assist in managing hazard and non-hazardous husbandry deviation records via the REDCap survey and communicate with investigators to ensure proper completion of required paperwork.
• Assist in promoting a culture of safety by reinforcing best practices and safety expectations.

Software Support – tick@lab

• Serve as a point of contact for tick@lab inquiries and assist users with procedures as directed.
• Help troubleshoot tick@lab processes and escalate complex issues as needed.
• Create and track support tickets and assist in implementing process improvements.
• Support the creation of educational tools, such as job aids, webinars, and instructional signage.
• Present tick@lab procedures and provide hands-on demonstrations to support effective use.
• Aid in updating species/strain lists, genotypes, and coordinating data integration with QuickOrder.
• Maintain training records and documentation within tick@lab.

Practical Animal Experience

• Demonstrate proficiency in animal handling techniques, ensuring the safe and humane restraint and movement of research animals.
• Apply established animal care practices and procedures to support the health, welfare, and husbandry of laboratory animals.
• Maintain a working knowledge of animal research regulations and guidelines, ensuring compliance with all applicable institutional, state, and federal standards.

Other Duties

• Perform Other Related Duties As Required/assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or other natural, life or health care science and one year work experience directly related to the assigned research area.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform job functions in an upright position.
• Ability to perform job functions in a seated position.
• Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile.
• Ability to climb, using step stool.
• Ability to work in temperature extremes (32° F to 100° F) when required due to assignments in cold rooms and/or foreign countries.
• Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces.
• Ability to bend at the waist.
• Ability to twist at the waist.
• Ability to fully use both hands/arms.
• Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders.
• Ability to fully use both legs.
• Ability to reach in all directions, stretch, bend, while moving items/materials from both sitting and standing positions.
• Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function/distinction.
• Ability to lift materials up to 20 lbs., unassisted.
• Ability to lift and carry 4 liter waste material bottles a distance of 30 feet, unassisted.
• Ability to lift and carry 25-30 lbs. jugs of liquid a distance of 100 feet, unassisted.
• Ability to lift file boxes, from floor level to counter tops, unassisted.
• Ability to push/Ability to lift 40 lbs. centrifuge rotors from floor level to height of 40 inches, then down 20 inches into centrifuge drum, unassisted.
• Ability to lift 25 lbs. boxes, from floor level to maximum height of 72 inches, unassisted.
• Ability to push/pull file boxes from one location to another at floor level.
• Ability to maneuver heavy equipment on bench tops, 50 lbs. or greater, unassisted.
• Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements.
• Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes.
• Ability to match or discriminate between colors, normally.
• Ability to hear and recognize various alarms emitting from work area systems.
• Ability to hear and/or understand conversations.
• Ability to work in a darkroom for processing film, etc.
• Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and annually.