Attending Veterinarian and Manager (#1768)

BACKGROUND

The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) is a one-of-a-kind facility dedicated to defending the nation against biological threats. Its work supports the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and National biodefense preparedness planning, response, emerging threat characterization and bioforensic analyses. It is the first national laboratory created by DHS in response to biodefense gaps identified following the Amerithrax attacks of 2001 and has been operated by the Battelle National Biodefense Institute (BNBI) since 2006. Since its inception, NBACC and its staff have filled critical shortfalls in our scientific knowledge of biological agents needed to protect the public and defend the Nation from biological threats, whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate and provided federal law enforcement with scientific data to support the investigation and attribution of biocrimes and protection of the US bioeconomy.

NBACC includes two centers: the National Bioforensic Analysis Center (NBFAC), which conducts the technical analyses in support of federal law enforcement investigations, and the National Biological Threat Characterization Center (NBTCC), which conducts studies to better understand biological vulnerabilities and hazards. Together these centers offer a unique national resource for understanding the risks posed by biological agents and emerging technologies to inform biodefense policy and response planning and the operational capability to support the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of biocrimes and bioterrorism.

PRIMARY FUNCTION

Provides state-of-the-art laboratory animal medicine and animal model development expertise for NBACC animal-based research. Maintains a consistently high level of quality in the humane care and use of animals in research and fosters a culture of compassion and respect for all research animals, which includes a wide range of both large and small animal species used as models for human disease. Ensures compliance with AAALAC International, Animal Welfare Act regulations, Public Health Service (PHS) Assurance, DHS Assurance, DHS Management Directives and all other applicable laws, regulations and guidelines.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires a Diplomat of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, holding a D.V.M or equivalent degree from an AVMA-certified veterinary school with a current license to practice veterinary medicine in one of the 50 U.S. states, and a minimum of 9 years of experience in laboratory animal-based research.
• Demonstrated significant personnel, project, and budget management responsibilities across multiple projects.
• Demonstrated success in technical proficiency, scientific creativity and accountability, while collaborating with others using independent thought. Publication history demonstrating advancing laboratory animal medicine/animal welfare and surgical experience highly desirable.
• Proficiency and clarity of oral and written communications are essential.
• Exemplary organizational skills with a proven track record of working effectively both independently and as a team player.
• Knowledge or experience with biocontainment facilities and procedures, laboratory safety, biosurety, and decontamination desirable. Experience working in biocontainment (ABSL-3/4) is highly desirable.
• Skills and experience to support laboratory activities and work in accordance with NBACC’s management system (e.g., ISO).
• Must be a citizen of the United States, able to obtain and maintain an interim secret clearance leading to a top-secret clearance, suitability for DHS, and a favorable adjudication of the Department of Justice (DoJ) for select agent access.
• Participation in the Immunization Program, Medical Surveillance Program, and enrollment in the Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) is required.
• May be required to participate in NBACC’s alternative work and/or on-call schedule, dependent upon business needs.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Serves as a subject matter expert for the Institutional Official and ensures compliance with guidelines of AAALAC International, DHS and PHS Assurances, DHS Management Directives and all applicable laws and regulations regarding animal care and use.
• Responsible for all Comparative Medicine research support and animal care activities including maintaining collaborative relationships with scientists and other research and support staff, support the development of animal use protocols and budgeting for research projects involving animals, and advising on the selection of appropriate animal models compatible with scientific requirements.
• Provides direct support to research projects through the performance of IACUC approved procedures, including surgical procedures, and provides supervision of veterinary technical support for animal research conducted at all levels of biocontainment.
• Maintains expertise in the field and proposes testing and evaluation of new methodologies, technologies, and approaches to enhance capabilities of the Comparative Medicine group as well as enhancing animal welfare and biosafety.
• Serves as the NBACC Attending Veterinarian and member of the IACUC and serves as an advocate and spokesperson for issues relating to research animal care and use.
• Establishes and maintains a high level training and competency determination program for animal care and research staff.
• Supervises Comparative Medicine staff, providing day to day management, working with Project Leads to assign projects to staff to ensure each project is appropriately resourced to achieve its objectives and resolving resource conflicts to address priorities set by the Associate Laboratory Director for Biological Threat Characterization.
• Responsible for ensuring recruitment and retention of a cadre of qualified Comparative Medicine staff including conduct of annual and mid-year performance reviews of direct reports, recommending promotions and salary actions as appropriate, ensuring staff adhere to BNBI policies and procedures, managing performance improvement plans and counseling for underperforming staff, and interviewing and hiring of new staff.
• Works on extremely complex problems in which analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangible variables.
• Exercises independent judgment in developing methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results, with demonstrated success in leading multiple scientific teams.
• Ability to act independently to determine methods and procedures on new assignments, while overseeing and managing the scientific or administrative activities of subordinates and/or technical personnel.
• Works as a strategic leader within the organization, with significant personnel, project, and budget management responsibilities across multiple projects.
• Expert knowledge of scientific principles and concepts, with a reputation as an emerging leader in the field, with sustained performance and accomplishment recognized internally and externally through publications, sponsor feedback, and peer input.
• Maintains a safe work environment by participating in specialized training and review of safety manuals and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Identifies departures from the Quality Management System (QMS) and initiates actions to investigate and prevent such occurrences.
• Provides analysis, opinions and interpretation, and issues reports.
• Develops, optimizes, and validates new or modified methods and procedures.
• Ensures competence of staff to operate specific equipment or perform tests (may issue Authorizations).
• Maintains and evaluates records of analysis and reviews laboratory results, plans and reports.
• Ensures that equipment, reagents, and supplies are maintained and used properly.
• Directs, prioritizes, schedules, and provides technical expertise to staff to conduct work.
• Must be a team player, communicate clearly, be open to hearing ideas and suggestions from others, diffuse situations, and exercise empathy and patience with colleagues.
• Must have the ability to multi-task, maintain composure under pressure, and utilize effective time management skills to prioritize tasks.
• Must be a self-starter driven by an eagerness to succeed, maintain flexibility, adapt to change in a productive and positive manner, learn new concepts, and utilize critical thinking to resolve complex problems.
• Maintains appropriate records.
• Performs other assigned duties.

BNBI is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.