Job Details

LARC Facility Manager (HR Title: Manager, Animal Care)

Position Number: 6717716
Location: Dallas, TX
Position Type: Agriculture - Animal Science

LARC Facility Manager (HR Title: Manager, Animal Care)

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Laboratory Animal Resource Center (LARC) oversees the care and use of vertebrate animals utilized as part of the research and teaching activities of SMU and serves as a source of expertise and support for investigators and administration on all issues related to laboratory animals.

The LARC Facility Manager, reporting to the Associate Director of Research Integrity & Compliance, is responsible for the direct oversight and management of the animal facility, including the supervision of two Animal Care Technicians.

This person plays an essential role in supporting SMU's biomedical research program by managing daily husbandry and facility operations, ensuring compliance with industry standards, promoting researcher satisfaction, and optimizing processes.

Essential Functions:

Supervise and direct daily activities of two Animal Care Technicians to ensure all required functions are carried out appropriately, including receiving animals, feeding/watering, sanitation and cleaning, health surveillance, equipment maintenance, supply inventories, and other related duties. Provide oversight to include their training/mentoring, work scheduling, and performance monitoring.
Manage facility operations including budget, inventory, safety compliance, husbandry, sanitation, animal intake and quarantine, health surveillance, and other program-related duties. Monitor for and suggest operational enhancements to maximize cost-effectiveness, efficiency, researcher satisfaction, and animal welfare. Generate per diem invoices for animal charges. Maintain all LARC records.
Monitor facility operations and equipment to ensure smooth day-to-day functioning, including identifying and promptly addressing issues. Serve as liaison with SMU maintenance staff and external contractors/vendors regarding the completion of maintenance and repairs.
Provide expertise in animal care and management through hosting institutional semi-annual facility inspections and participating in IACUC meetings. Maintain interactions with researchers and assist faculty in determining project requirements for animal resources, housing, and care. Participate in work-start meetings for new projects. Coordinate room/space availability in housing and work areas.
Provide LARC orientation and hands-on training in basic rodent handling, restraint, and manipulation (e.g. breeding, anesthesia administration, injections, euthanasia, blood collection, aseptic technique, and post-procedural recovery) to research staff. Maintain all training documentation. May provide minor medical treatments to animals as directed by the Attending Veterinarian.
Ensure appropriate sanitation and maintenance of environmental parameters, including infrastructure support equipment, washing, sterilizing, housing, and other related systems. Provide training in the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Develop and maintain policies and procedures, in conjunction with Office of Research Integrity & Compliance (RIC) leadership, to comply with relevant legislation and industry standards. Enforce all requirements regarding the use of animals and the vivarium.
Support RIC leadership in strategic planning and other duties as assigned
Assist RIC leadership in overseeing the procurement, storage, dispensation, and disposal of controlled substances used in animal research, to ensure compliance with US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations. Oversee disposal of all waste materials, including biohazard and hazardous waste, in a safe manner as required.
Occasional evening and/or weekend work is required. The ability to complete responsibilities on-call as needed in case of emergency is required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's is required. A degree in Veterinary Technology, Animal Science, Biology, Chemistry, or related field is preferred.

A minimum of three years of experience is required. Experience successfully providing animal facility program oversight and management is also required.

Some supervisory/management experience is required. LATG or CMAR certification or in progress of obtaining is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. A strong customer service orientation is essential.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills. Strong management skills and a strong focus on attention to detail are preferred,

Candidate must have knowledge of all applicable requirements/regulations and extensive experience with laboratory animal operations, including rodent barrier facility maintenance.

Candidate must have strong leadership skills and the proven ability to train and motivate staff to support a cohesive team environment.

Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 Suite.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Sit for long periods of time
Bend
Reach above shoulders
Carry/lift 25 lbs.
Squat
Handle objects (dexterity)
Kneel
Stand
Push/Pull
Exposure to excessive noise
Around moving machinery
Exposure to marked changes in temperature/or humidity
Exposure to dust, fumes, gases, radiation, microwave

Deadline to Apply:

The position is open until filled.

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by October 30, 2025

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Primary Location: USA-TX-Dallas

Job: Research

Organization: Provost - Other

Schedule: Regular

Shift: Staff

Employee Status: Manager with Direct Reports

Job Type: Full-time

Job Level: Day Job

Travel: No

Job Posting: Oct 16, 2025, 4:40:50 PM

To apply, visit https://smu.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=PRO00000341&tz=GMT%2B00%3A00&tzname=UTC