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. Administers behavioral management programs/applications by hiring and supervising behavioral management personnel; participating in project planning; and developing, implementing and evaluating behavioral management applications, techniques and procedures. Supervises staff by orienting, training, and providing performance feedback. Coordinates behavioral management activities (enrichment, socialization, training, operations) and decisions of Animal Behavioral Management staff, with Animal Care staff, Veterinary staff, and research staff members. Coordinates with Shop staff for the construction, repair, and redesign of enrichment devices equipment. Trains Animal Care and Animal Behavioral Management staff. Responsible for ordering supplies needed for behavioral management 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. Coordinates socialization program with the goal of increasing compatible social pairs and streamlining socialization process. 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 to the animals. Designs, develops, and implements specific training procedures that employ these techniques, and oversees the implementation by others. Identifies program of intervention for those animals that need specialized therapy for observed behavioral problems. Coordinates documentation of behavioral management procedures and generates written and numeric progress reports on the behavioral management program. Provides expertise and training in methodology, and basic behavioral management applications. Prepares and monitors behavioral management related budgets under supervision of the Head of Behavioral Management. Assists in developing and submitting grant proposals and in monitoring grant expenditures. Advises Head of Behavioral Management of changes in reporting or accounting requirements and assists behavioral management staff in meeting requirements. Performs a wide range of behavioral management evaluations for routine and specialized studies. Selects or develops effective research methodologies. Collects and analyzes results of studies and provides interpretation of results. Co-authors or authors publications based on behavioral management findings. Recommends new equipment and supply purchases; investigates equipment/devices. Malfunctions and schedules maintenance / repair. Performs 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, or Wildlife Management. Four years of relevant experience in enrichment and/or behavioral research of which one year is in a supervisory role OR equivalent combination of experience, education, and training. 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 required. |
Emory is an EEO Employer-Disability/Veteran. Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. |
Human Resources