LOGISTICS OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
Req #: | 178667 |
Department: | DEPARTMENT OF COMPARATIVE MEDICINE |
Job Location: | Seattle Campus |
Posting Date: | 04/13/2020 |
Closing Info: | Open Until Filled |
Salary: | Salary and benefits are competitive. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. |
Shift: | First Shift |
Notes: | As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here. |
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for six consecutive years.
The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation’s premier educational and research institutions. Our Department of Comparative Medicine (DCM) has an excellent opportunity for a Logistics Operations Specialist.
The Materials Maintenance and Logistics Team is essential to the overall purpose of the Department of Comparative Medicine (DCM), which is to facilitate and support all animal protocol research endeavors, excepting non-primate research, at the University of Washington. This position reports to the Senior Director of Animal Resources and Operations and has administrative, budgetary, and supervisory responsibilities directly related to the operations and management of all DCM-supported cagewash facilities; all DCM transportation activities; supply ordering and distribution; and equipment inventory, storage, and minor preventative maintenance.
This position directs cage washing activities, transportation, supply ordering and distribution, and equipment management at all DCM-managed facilities (13+ buildings, both on- and off-campus), which house in excess of 150,000 research animals annually used by over 400 principal investigators. Additionally, this position directs animal, equipment, and supply transportation involving UW lab-managed and non-UW facilities. This requires close, daily coordination with a diverse group of individuals including DCM animal husbandry supervisors, program support supervisors, veterinary services, billing services, administration, and faculty; researcher staff; on-campus, South Lake Union, and Harborview facilities maintenance; and outside support services and vendors.
DCM is responsible for providing regulated, accredited research animal care and housing for the scientific community at the University of Washington. This position has direct and significant impact on DCM’s overall animal husbandry operations as well as the health and welfare of UW research animals and the ability of the university to meet strict federal and organizational regulatory requirements.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Operations Management
• Under the general direction of the Senior Director of Animal Resources and Operations, independently plans, coordinates, integrates, executes, controls and evaluates activities and functions of an organization. This includes developing program goals, objectives, work plans, budgets, policies and procedures, and service delivery; and adjusting program priorities and resources. Exercise decision making authority and independent discretion to manage programs and activities required for the development and operations of a centrally-managed, yet physically-distributed, equipment sanitization program to include cagewash processing of caging, mobile enclosures, and ancillary caging and enrichment items for all research animal species supported by DCM.
• Collaborate with other DCM personnel to support and further develop the UW Animal Care Program and DCM animal facilities in accordance with applicable regulations, guidelines, and accrediting bodies (e.g., Animal Welfare Act, The Guide for the Care and Use of Research Animals, AAALAC International) while supporting customer needs and enhancing operational efficiencies.
• Complete complex projects through independent work and on teams, in collaboration with other groups such as Husbandry Services, Veterinary Services, Office of Animal Welfare, research groups and Facilities Services. This will require devising new or creative methods and processes to analyze, evaluate and fully determine the issues and tasks at hand and resolve various issues. Determine future tasks and priorities through consideration of several different approaches or methods.
• Create and implement new processes for centralized management of all DCM cagewash facilities.
• Ensure availability of adequate caging, equipment, and supplies necessary for daily operation of all DCM-managed facilities and to facilitate the research process and programs supported by the University.
• Ensure records are created, reviewed, and maintained according to all applicable regulatory requirements.
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Animal Resources and Operations, create a cost-effective quality assurance program for cagewash activities. Implement the quality assurance program in all DCM-managed cagewash facilities.
• Coordinate with vendors to ensure proper function of all cagewash and cagewash-related equipment. Participate in large equipment purchasing and installation.
• Participate in addressing complaints and assist in identifying and resolving facility operational issues.
Logistics Management
• Oversee and implement processes for the movement of materials, animals, and people between needed locations.
• Develop and directly supervise an online transportation request process for use by DCM personnel and UW researchers.
• Provide leadership and direction to Materials Maintenance and Logistics Technicians responsible for scheduling and enacting transportation events. Address complaints and assist in identifying and resolving complaints and identified issues.
• Ensure vehicles are operated and maintained in a safe manner. Oversee coordination of vehicle repairs and maintenance. Ensure records are created, reviewed, and maintained appropriately.
• Initiate and report on various analytical studies such as work volume statistics, service, safety needs, and equipment needs.
• Support and further develop the UW Animal Care Program and DCM animal facilities and complete complex projects through independent work and on teams.
Manage Purchase and Distribution of Consumables
• Plan and execute the purchase and distribution of select consumables (e.g., animal feed, bedding, PPE) regularly utilized by all DCM facilities in a timely.
• Regularly interact with DCM Program Support Personnel and Program Operations Specialists, Veterinary Services, and UW research personnel to ensure an appropriately-sized inventory of necessary supplies in all DCM facilities.
• Purchase and maintain inventories in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Ensure Materials Maintenance and Logistics Technicians receive deliveries, reconcile orders, organize and rotate supplies, and operate in a safe manner.
• Complete complex projects through independent work and on teams.
Inventory Management
• Direct the inventory, storage, and minor preventative maintenance of select moveable equipment within DCM facilities.
• Revise and then manage daily operation of the DCM Equipment Inventory Program.
• Maintain inventory records and physical control of all high-value equipment.
• Direct processes for the disposal of unwanted inventory items and obsolete equipment.
• Create, implement, and document completion of routine maintenance procedures and schedules for select moveable equipment (e.g., animal transfer stations) in all DCM animal housing areas, as well as cage wash equipment (e.g., rack washers, tunnel washers, laminar flow hoods).
• Complete complex projects through independent work and on teams.
• Participate in addressing complaints and assist in identifying and resolving facility and equipment maintenance issues
• Oversee and maintain safe working conditions and safety training for all personnel.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Supervise the Materials Maintenance and Logistics Technician Team members who provide cagewash duties, transportation services, consumable purchasing and delivery, and equipment inventory and minor preventative maintenance. (Anticipated final team size: ~15 individuals.)
• Expand the existing Materials Maintenance and Logistics Technician Team activities to assume operations of all DCM cagewash facilities.
• Hire, evaluate and supervise staff. Define work assignment, content, and establishment of work rules.
• Conduct performance evaluations, employee improvement performance plans, disciplinary actions, resolve conflicts and other personnel issues.
REQUIREMENTS
• Bachelor's degree in biology, animal science, business administration, or related field.
• Minimum of two years’ experience working in a logistics and materials management environment.
• Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license and documented experience operating light trucks, delivery vehicles and related equipment.
• General mechanical knowledge.
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, and Outlook) and calendaring systems.
Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum requirements.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• A working knowledge of animal husbandry standards and regulatory guidelines for species of animals used in biomedical research.
• Certifications by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science.
• Experience and understanding of Animal Biosafety Level 2 work processes and principles.
WORKING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
• Must be comfortable working with biohazardous materials and performing physical activities in warm and humid environments.
• This position requires frequent travel between both on- and off-campus facilities.
• Occasional required work outside of regular work hours.
• This is an essential position. The employee is expected to report to work under conditions that other employees are not required to report to work, such as inclement weather and UW suspended operations.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.