Animal Resource Equipment Supervisor, Animal Resources Center Full-time

Animal Resource Equipment Supervisor, Animal Resources Center

The Animal Resources Center at The University of Texas at Austin covers approx. 150,000 sq. ft. of research animal space. The Animal Resources Center is responsible for managing three centralized animal facilities as well as some of the smaller satellite locations.

UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
• Retirement contributions
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid holidays

Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered.

Purpose

Oversees daily cage wash operations, including personnel supervision, and provides hands-on tier-one technical support for repairs and routine maintenance of equipment throughout the animal research facility to ensure operational efficiency, equipment reliability, and continuity of animal care services.

Cage Wash and ARC Equipment Operations

• Oversee and coordinate cage wash operations and equipment maintenance across multiple vivarium locations to ensure efficient, consistent sanitation and performance.
• Coordinate cage wash production using tunnel washers, rack washers, autoclaves, dump stations, bottle-filling systems, and associated equipment.
• Coordinate production workflows and communicate resource needs to leadership to ensure cage and equipment demands are met on schedule.
• Conduct scheduled facility audits to verify cagewash operations, ARC equipment functionality, and compliance with maintenance standards, and to confirm that checklists, logs, records, and documentation are accurate and complete.
• Evaluate workflows and implement process improvements to optimize production throughput, resource utilization, and operational efficiency.
• Monitor ARC equipment performance. Coordinate and perform preventive maintenance as assigned. Troubleshoot equipment issues and perform repairs and escalation as needed. Coordinate internal service calls and external vendor calls at the direction of ARC management.
• Initiate and track ARC work orders and service tickets, ensuring equipment issues are documented and prioritized.
• Coordinate the transport and distribution of cage wash supplies and equipment between facilities to support operational requirements and meet changing demands.
• Ensure cage wash facility sanitation, safety checks, and temperature and steam monitoring.
• Assess and remove damaged or unusable supplies and coordinate disposal.
• Works closely with the Operations Assistant Director to assist with equipment maintenance and repairs.

Supervision

• Provide direct supervision and operational leadership for cage wash personnel across assigned facilities, promoting accountability, staff development, safety, and consistent performance.
• Recruit, hire, schedule, and supervise cage wash personnel.
• Conduct performance evaluations, support employee development, and administer corrective actions in accordance with institutional policies.
• Provide daily direction and prioritize assignments to ensure staffing and operational needs are met across multiple locations.
• Assist in reviewing and auditing cage wash SOPs for technical accuracy, clarity, and alignment with operational practices.
• Effectively leads the cage wash team by providing guidance and continued professional development.

Safety and Compliance

• Ensure cage wash operations comply with university safety policies, applicable federal and state regulations, and relevant vivarium standards.
• Maintain accurate records of sanitation cycles, autoclave validation, equipment monitoring, safety inspections, and other required operational activities.
• Ensure staff understand and follow appropriate PPE requirements and established safety procedures.
• Prepare for and participate in facility inspections, site visits, internal audits, and other compliance reviews.
• Perform and document required testing, including biological indicators and thermal strips, to verify sanitation and sterilization effectiveness.
• Review operational practices and records to identify deficiencies, implement corrective actions, and support continuous compliance.

Administrative and Collaborative Support

• Manage inventory of maintenance supplies, filters, caging, cage wash chemicals, PPE, and other operational materials needed to maintain facility equipment.
• Monitor outstanding work orders and service tickets, communicate equipment status to affected teams, and follow up to support timely resolution.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for Animal Husbandry staff regarding animal census changes and adjust cage wash production accordingly.

Professional Development and Other Duties

• Maintain professional knowledge and contribute to departmental initiatives that support operational effectiveness and continuous improvement.
• Participate in team meetings and project discussions regarding facility operations, equipment performance, service needs, and process improvements.
• Apply new knowledge and best practices to improve operational efficiency, equipment reliability, and staff performance.
• Serve as a backup driver for supply and equipment transport between facilities.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED.
• Two years of facility management experience with responsibility for security and safety of property and personnel.
• Experience supervising a team, with demonstrated success in mentoring and leadership.
• Experience diagnosing equipment malfunctions, performing systematic troubleshooting, and coordinating preventive maintenance.
• Experience repairing equipment to ensure reliability and minimize operational downtime.
• Valid driver's license and eligibility to operate university vehicles.
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds, move heavy equipment, and stand or walk for extended periods.
• Able to work occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call hours as required.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising cage wash facilities or large, complex operations.
• Experience using electronic work-order systems, service ticketing systems, and maintenance tracking tools.
• Knowledge of industrial washers, autoclaves, and sterilization system maintenance and repair, or the ability to learn their operation.

Driving Required

This job requires a class “C” operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing).

Salary Range

$65,000

Working Conditions

The position requires working in an animal research environment with the following conditions and requirements:

• Work in wet rooms and around large industrial cage washers.
• Potential exposure to animal bites, diseases, allergens, and biological hazards.
• Exposure to high noise levels, requiring participation in a hearing conservation program and annual hearing testing.
• Work in warm, humid, odorous, or extreme-temperature environments, including outdoor, all-weather conditions.
• Potential exposure to chemicals, chemical fumes, and electrical or mechanical hazards.
• Use of manual dexterity to perform job duties.
• Climbing ladders and stairs.
• Lifting and moving heavy equipment.
• Work in a research or laboratory animal facility.
• Required use of provided protective clothing and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Work hours and shifts may vary and are subject to change, with advance notice provided when possible.
• Occasional evening, weekend, and holiday work to meet essential operational needs.

Required Materials

Please mark “yes” on the application for required materials. Failure to attach all additional materials listed may affect candidates being considered for the position.

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest