<p>This position is located within the Research and Development Service, Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU) at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVHCS) in Richmond, VA.</p> <ul> <li>THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION* </li></ul> <p>This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-09 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.</p> <p>The major duties include but are not limited to:</p> <p>Program Management and Supervisory Duties</p> <ul> <li>Sets the overall objectives and resource allocations to support all research activities within the Animal Care program; </li><li>Possesses delegation with complete responsibility and authority for both VA staff and non-VA staff in the Research Animal Care programs; </li><li>Sets work schedules and agendas and supervises staff to ensure that all matters of animal program administration are addressed; </li><li>Assigns and directs the work of the VMU caretaker staff in the day-to-day operation of the facility, including feeding, cleaning, and other aspects of research animal husbandry, ensuring the health status of the research animals; </li><li>Works with Chemical Hygiene officer/committee manager to ensure all aspects of the animal laboratory research program are conducted following strict and complex guidelines; </li><li>Develops and analyzes Animal Care and Use program priorities and objectives; </li><li>Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets and adjusts short term priorities, prepares schedules for completion of work, assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, the difficulty of the work to be performed, and the capabilities of employees, and develops performance standards for subordinates; </li><li>Advises, counsels, and/or instructs all subordinates on both work and administration matters; </li><li>Hears and resolves complaints from employees; </li><li>Possesses responsibility for all VMU cost accounting and daily record keeping; </li><li>Prepares and recommends the annual budget and VMU changes; </li><li>Advises all principal investigators about laboratory and surgical methods, material transfer agreements, and memorandums of understanding; </li></ul> <p>Quality and Compliance</p> <ul> <li>Ensures that the VMU's physical plant, its staff training, and day-to-day operating procedures conform with the National Research Council's "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals", in order that the CVHCS's Veterinary Medical Unit facility can maintain full accreditation by Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC), International; </li><li>Plays a critical support role in developing and coordinating internal review systems to ensure that animal welfare, scientific, and administrative activities are compliant with agency accrediting and regulatory requirements; </li><li>Prepares for inspections of animal facilities by accrediting bodies such as AAALAC, International, and other inspecting bodies such as institutional animal care and use committees; </li><li>Maintains relationships with private company representatives and VA and non-VA oversight officials to identify, obtain, and implement the most innovative and efficient means for the care and treatment of research animals; </li></ul> <p>Animal Husbandry and Welfare</p> <ul> <li>Develops, recommends, and implements procedures and policies to comply with current regulations and accepted standards regarding animal welfare, facility maintenance, and safety practices; </li><li>Conducts routine health examinations on incoming animals and recognizes signs of common lab animal diseases; </li><li>Recognizes and reports abnormal health and behavioral conditions, and properly collects a variety of biological substances for chemical, microbial or serologic tests using proper techniques to obtain samples for culture, serology, and analyses; </li><li>Makes rounds to observe, evaluate, and record progress of animal patients; </li><li>Administers common drugs properly by a variety of routes and acts as a resource person for research staff when anesthesia is needed for common rodent species; </li><li>Administers prescribed pre- and post-surgical care and physiologic monitoring for animal patients; and, </li></ul> <p>Performs all other duties as assigned.</p> <p>Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.</p> <p>Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized</p> <p>Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved</p> <p>Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.</p>