JOB DESCRIPTION: Participates in an integrated program of animal care and environmental enrichment with enrichment, animal care, and veterinary staff members. Positions within the Emory National Primate Research Center will be working with nonhuman primates, while employees in the School of Medicine Division of Animal Resources will be working with other laboratory animals, such as pigs and ferrets. Oversees and organizes the duties of Animal Behavior Management Specialists and/or Animal Behavior Management Technicians. Coordinates enrichment activities and decisions of Animal Behavior Management staff, Animal Care staff, Veterinary staff, and research staff. Coordinates with Shop staff for the construction, repair, and redesign of enrichment devices and equipment. Trains Animal Care staff and Animal Behavior Management staff. Responsible for ordering supplies needed for enrichment program. Designs, develops and tests enrichment techniques, new ideas for enhancing captive environments, and interventions in terms of practicality, use by animals, and efficacy for improving behavior. Determines potential social partners, completes social introductions, monitors progress and makes decisions about outcomes of introductions for social species. Monitors social interactions of group-living animals. Coordinates positive reinforcement animal training program with the goals of facilitating husbandry, veterinary, research, and environmental enrichment procedures, and reducing the stress of these procedures on the animals. Designs, develops and implements specific training procedures that employ these techniques, and oversees the implementation by others. Identifies programs of intervention for those animals that are in need of specialized therapy for observed behavioral problems. Coordinates documentation of enrichment procedures and generates written and numeric progress reports on the behavioral management program. Assists in conducting behavioral research that evaluates environmental enrichment. Collects and compiles observational data for enrichment studies. Plans and schedules research procedures. Records results of studies, compiles and analyzes data, and prepares charts and graphs of data. Uses independent judgment in applying or adapting scientific techniques. Assists in research protocol design. Supervises the work of others in the Animal Behavior Management series, including input into performance appraisals. Demonstrates and trains others in proper research techniques and use of equipment. Troubleshoots and performs routine repair and maintenance of equipment. Reviews literature for related research developments and techniques and compiles findings. Assists in the preparation of manuscripts for publication and in other presentation of study findings. Performs other related responsibilities as required. Indoor and outdoor work environment, exposure to biohazards and potentially dangerous animals. Employees in this classification may be required to work with, take specific precautions against and/or be immunized against potentially hazardous agents.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree in relevant field such as Biology, Psychology, Zoology, Anthropology, Wildlife Management, or equivalent combination of experience, education, and training. Four years of relevant experience in enrichment and/or behavioral research. One year of supervisory experience in a captive animal facility. Strong oral and written communication skills. Ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with a wide variety of personnel. Excellent time management and organizational skills. LATG Certification through AALAS. |
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Human Resources