Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Title

Assistant Supervisor

Department

Research Support | Modified Barrier Facility | Animal Care Services

Compensation Range

$4,757.00 - $5,187.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

September 30, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

Ongoing

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Description Summary

The Assistant Supervisor works closely with the Supervisor and Operations Manager in the Modified Barrier Facility (MBF) in day-to-day oversight and operations and will be responsible for a team of technicians when the Operations Manager is absent or unavailable. The incumbent will also provide animal health care, skilled technical services and assistance; as well as interacting and liaising with technical staff, UBC researchers, and Veterinarians. The position s role requires understanding and interpreting the Canadian Council on Animal Care regulations and guidelines (CCAC), which governs the care and use of research animals in Canada. This position will require highly specialized knowledge in animal husbandry for small and bio-hazardous animals, in addition to in-depth technical knowledge of equipment and data analysis.

The Modified Barrier Facility (MBF) is a facility in Animal Care Services (ACS), which is responsible for providing research support to the animal-based research community associated with the University of British Columbia and its affiliates through its veterinary services team, its procurement team and its three facilities. ACS reports to the Associate Vice President Research & International. MBF is a 22,000 sq. ft. animal facility capable of holding 7,000 rodent cages. It is a multi-barrier facility, equipped with conventional and barrier zones and ample procedural space, which includes Containment Level 1 & 2, as well as information technology, material management, and training.

ACS, the largest animal care program in Western Canada and the second largest in Canada, is responsible for providing research support to the animal-based research community associated with the University of British Columbia and its affiliates through its veterinary services team, the compliance team, the procurement team and its facilities. ACS is committed to providing excellence in research support to all UBC researchers with accountability, communication, cooperation, customer service and integrity. ACS reports to the Associate Vice President Research & Innovation.

Organizational Status

Reports to the MBF Supervisor and Operations Manager. Works closely with the MBF Operations Manager, other supervisors, Animal Care Technicians, Cage processing staff, Clinical Veterinarians and the ACS Business Team. Liaises with researchers and their teams.

Work Performed

The MBF Assistant Supervisor is a lead worker and also a member of the team of animal care and cage processing technicians that performs animal care and cage processing and ensures the proper discharge of daily tasks and technical procedures as requested by the MBF Supervisor, Operations Manager, Clinical Veterinarians or Principal Investigators.

Day to day responsibilities include:

• Animal handling and manipulations (IV, IP, IM, SQ, per os); Assists in setting space for animals under the direction of the MBF Supervisor and Operations Manager; inventories and keeps records of each animal through Mosaic Vivarium; Coordinates the maintenance or maintains breeding colonies of various animals which include breeding, feeding, weaning and keeping records of activities; Performs rounds to observe and check the physical health and well-being of laboratory animals; Prepare health reports/daily observations; Isolate infected or ill animals and reports to Veterinarian; General housekeeping and maintenance of facility and equipment.

-Assumes the role of the MBF Supervisor or Operation Manager when the Supervisor is absent or unavailable. -Cage processing coordination - contributes to the efficiency and accuracy of the CP zone by maintaining communication with the MBF Supervisor and Operations Manager regarding delays, errors, and issues. Assists in work direction of staff in the CP zone. Provide and oversee training to CP staff in the use of equipment, techniques and procedures. Make recommendations on staff requirements and shifts to ensure maximum CP productivity. Ensure procedures and policies are consistently and correctly followed. Identifies issues with existing SOPs and recommends change to management. Ensure sanitary conditions of cage washing rooms and other related areas (including hallways and storage areas). Ensure adequate quantities of clean caging, food, water, and other operational supplies.

• Facilitates and maintains relationships with internal and external partners under the direction of the MBF Supervisor and Operations Manager.

• Performs minor surgeries and technical techniques, including: tissue collection and organs extraction, necropsy, blood collection, surgical implantations, injections, topical treatments, ear notching, and fecal/oral/pelt swab collection for sentinel purposes.

• Assists with the coordination of daily work of the animal care and cage processing technicians, establishing clear definitions of responsibility and workload to increase efficiency and effectiveness of the facility under the direction of the MBF Supervisor and Operations Manager, providing training and evaluation, and participating in the recruitment of new staff as required;

• Responsible for education, orientation and training provided in all aspects of daily operations of animal barriers for both staff and researchers as well as instruction and training in the use of specialized techniques and equipment (User orientation).

• Responds to MBF operational enquiries and emergency calls. Identifies problems and may make recommendations to the MBF Supervisor and Operational Manager;

• Assists in the inspection, observation, and treatment of unusual or unexpected conditions that arise, requiring immediate action and notification to the MBF Operation Manager and/or Investigators, as well as responsibility for repetitive activities that occur daily;

• Assists Supervisor with ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements related to care of laboratory animals, including adherence to approved protocols and animal care practices and procedures to prevent occupational infections or release of organisms into the environment under the direction of the MBF Operations Manager. In collaboration with Veterinary professionals, ensures that all activities relating directly or indirectly to animal use and care are in accordance with acceptable veterinary standards and the standard articulated in the Guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care;

• Coordinates, monitors and ensures safety standards are being maintained; chairs the local Safety team or JOHSC or sits as a member, as required. Responsible for related documentation including WHMIS.

• Responsible for receiving, packing, shipping and distribution of live animal shipments.

• Responsible for packaging, labelling, processing of biological, biochemical and hazardous materials out of the facility.

• Assist with the development of new policies and procedures in consultation with MBF Supervisor and Operations Manager.

• Perform duties relating to technical research services which will include various research and special projects as directed by the MBF Operations Manager/veterinary staff;

• Maintains an extensive inventory of supplies and equipment necessary for surgical or invasive procedures in a variety of animal species, including anesthesia monitoring and surgical equipment.

• Prepare reports and provide updates to investigators regarding the status of animals.

• For billing purposes records services, equipment and materials, including consumables used, on an investigator s behalf.

• Keeps abreast of developments in the area of expertise and participating in continuing education programs.

• Performing other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Errors may impact the successful operation of MBF and the overall health status of the facility. Errors in judgment may result in financial loss and damage to credibility of the department and Animal Care Services. Errors may be difficult to recognize and correct, and may compromise scientific data and animal health and welfare.

Supervision Received

Works under administrative direction from the MBF Operations Manager; receives specific instructions on unusual problems or on matters which are not covered under established SOP s and policies.

Supervision Given

The incumbent will distribute daily work assignments to staff. In the absence of the MBF Supervisor or Operations Manager, they will oversee and direct the work and are responsible for the accuracy, production, and control of the work unit.

Minimum Qualifications

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline or Graduation from a technical college or institute.BSc in an animal related field, and/or AHT diploma, and/or CALAS RLAT level certification.Minimum of 3 years related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.Supervisory experience required, preferably in an laboratory animal facility. - Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends and statutory holidays as required;

• Ability to explain, assign and monitor work;
• Ability to facilitate groups to achieve appropriate outcomes;
• Ability to coordinate and oversee work processes to achieve appropriate outcomes;
• Ability to evaluate staff performance by establishing standards and goals, providing feedback and taking corrective action;
• Ability to train others;
• Ability to be thorough, accurate, and have a high level of attention to detail;
• Ability to accurately create and maintain records;
• Ability to understand and apply policies, SOPs, instructions and applicable Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines;
• Ability to read and comprehend and analyze technical material;
• Ability to listen actively and attentively, and obtain clarification as required;
• Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively in a team environment;
• Ability to anticipate problems and issues and plan ahead;
• Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines;
• Ability to determine the nature and urgency of inquiries and issues, and triage appropriately;
• Ability to communicate in a clear, attentive, and polite manner; both verbally and in writing
• Initiative and the ability to master new techniques;
• Ability to perform the physical demands of the job (work with high temperature equipment, exposure to animal dander and urinary proteins, perform repetitive tasks, lift 20kg, good manual dexterity and eyesight);
• Ability to operate job-related equipment (e.g., rack and tunnel washers, autoclaves, water bag machine, RO water system, floor cleaning machine, industrial washers and dryers, bedding vacuum and dispensing system, bottle filling system, and high pressure spray units);
• Ability to effectively use software at an advanced level (e.g., Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, Mosaic Vivarium);
• Be willing to maintain and upgrade training;
• Ability to deal with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner;
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships;
• Ability to work toward consensus and resolve differences;
• Ability to address and moderate interpersonal conflict by confronting issues and taking appropriate action;
• Ability to effectively resolve complaints in a calm, non-confrontational manner, and by exercising sound judgment; and
• Ability to exercise tact and discretion.