Job Description

Position Title: Reports to: Department: Date Revised: FLSA Status: Avian Services Manager Director of Quality Control & Avian Services Avian Services January 2014 Exempt (salary)

Summary: Coordinate and manage activities of Avian Services Department including, but not limited to: manage all aspects of animal care facilities to guarantee the timely release of product to the customer, ensuring the proper care and treatment of animals; train, coordinate and provide technical support for technicians; coordinate timely scheduling tests; compile, review and submit all USDA documentation and paperwork to support release of licensed products; analyze and trend testing data: coordinate the testing of product and the prompt reporting of test data to affected departments; coordinate research and development projects with the R&D and Process Improvement Departments; implement and enforce GMPs and GLPs and insure compliance with 9 CFR regulations; promote and build team concepts both within the department and company. This position works closely with the Regulatory, Quality Control, Planning and Quality Assurance Departments. Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Coordinates and schedules Avian Services activities to ensure the efficient and timely completion of vaccine safety, potency tests, and R&D trials. Updates management regularly through the Director of QC and AS on the progress and/or failure of tests, and/or product quality problems encountered. Assures that tests and trials are performed accurately and consistently, adhering to the USDA requirements, Outlines of Production, SOPs, and protocols while following aseptic and biosecurity techniques. Collects, reviews, interprets and assists with analyzing testing data to standardize procedures and tests; prepares protocols and reports to Director for submission to the USDA. Ensures tests and trials are conducted in accordance with optimal parameters. Performs and coordinates environmental monitoring of facilities on a scheduled basis and taking corrective actions to prevent risk to testing and trials from unwanted contaminants; ensures proper efficient disinfection techniques between performed tests. Responsible for the optimal health status of birds used for serial testing and research trials in order to achieve accurate and valid results; responsible for managing the Flock monitoring Program. Ensures an adequate supply of all materials to meet the Companys needs, including staffing, laboratory supplies, birds, and facilities. Prepares and submits annual operating and capital improvement budget requests to meet demand. Leads, trains, monitors, coordinates and evaluates the performance and competency of AS personnel bi-annually. Responsible for trouble shooting technical problems and providing scientific backup for technicians. Provides initial and weekly updates of projected final product release dates to the Planning Department.

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Proactively manages staff schedules to achieve maximum efficiency and utilization of the Companys resources; Reviews and approves employee time cards for payroll in accordance with Personnel Policies. Develops and updates Standard Operating Procedures as necessary. Instructs, trains, and supervises Avian Service personnel in the proper implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures. Develops and initiates research to improve the quality, efficiency, or safety of AS related techniques or procedures. Provides assistance in R&D and Process Improvement projects as a member of project teams with regard to animal testing. Maintains accurate records; reviews and monitors testing records for accuracy and completeness before reporting results to management and submitting to QA Department. Conducts annual Select Agent specific training. Performs routine procedures that are involved in testing vaccines and/or research; such as wingbanding, vaccinations, bleeding, challenges, and other procedures as needed. Assists in laboratory procedures involved in serology, bacteriology, and virology that are related to animals in the facility. Assures that personnel and visitors strictly adhere to biosecurity regulations and assists the regulatory department by accompanying external auditing agencies on-site visits. Participates in internal audits conducted by the Quality Assurance Department, responds to audit findings and oversees the implementation of necessary corrective actions within established time frames. Develop preventative maintenance program for facilities and equipment; assures that repairs to the pens, cages, and equipment, such as drinkers, heaters and feeders, are carried out in a timely manner and that the buildings and grounds in and around the test facilities are maintained in a neat and clean manner. Schedules and conducts tests necessary for maintenance or improvement of the product line which includes, but is not limited to, the establishment or extension of expiration dates, stability dates, establishment of immunogenicity data for vaccines and investigations of product failures or complaints from the field; submits well-written study protocols and complete final reports. Recognizes major poultry diseases in live birds by symptoms and manifestations and uses this knowledge along with diagnostic assays to maintain the health status of the stock birds at a level conducive to their intended use. Some travel may be required. Weekend and off-hour work is expected when necessary to meet the needs of the department and Company. Other duties as assigned. In the absence of the Avian Services Manager, these duties are managed by the Testing Services Supervisor or Animal Care Technician III.

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Core Competencies: 1. Strategic Orientation: Understands, communicates, and implements the Company strategy, ensuring that the department goals and functions are aligned with the strategy.

2. Ambition to Lead: Establishes the desired outcomes for the department that will contribute to the Company's success. Understands policies and protocols and ensures adherence by applying them fairly and consistently. Anticipates potential problems, analyzes the variables, and implements changes proactively. 3. Developing Others: Sets clear expectations and holds employees accountable to these expectations, providing clear feedback for improved performance when necessary. Provides opportunities for development based on company needs and employee strengths and abilities. Identifies potential by giving employees stretch goals to challenge themselves. 4. Achievement Orientation: Establishes benchmark measurements and seeks to exceed these by identifying opportunities for improvements. Ensures that subordinates have core competencies and are working up to expectations. 5. Commitment to Change: Explains reasons for change, actively promotes change, and motivates employees into accepting change. Identifies opportunities for change in order to meet company goals. 6. Teamwork: Coordinating activities of multiple teams, sets the outcomes desired, resolves conflict, manages benchmarks, creates project teams for inter-departmental objectives. 7. Eagerness to Learn: Seeks new/additional information from additional outside sources about products, customers, and best practices to keep informed and up to date within area of expertise. 8. Initiative: Make decisions on changes that support directives within department ensuring that consequences have been appropriately identified. 9. Quality Orientation: Strives for continual improvement and holds subordinates accountable for avoidable mistakes. Takes steps to minimize errors within area of responsibility. Works with subordinates to identify root cause for mistakes and makes recommendations for solution. Qualifications Must have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Animal Sciences or an Associates degree with 10 years relevant experience in animal care, animal husbandry, and biosecurity. Previous experience with poultry and a working knowledge of government regulations desired. Must have proven experience in supervision and demonstrate leadership skills. Good record keeping and written and oral communication skills required. Experience with computers desired. Excellent critical thinking, problem solving, organizational and communication skills required. A working knowledge of mathematics, basic formulations, and the ability to analyze and trend data is essential. Valid drivers license must be maintained Must be able to obtain and maintain FBI background check clearance to work with select agent(s). ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Must work safely with disinfectants, detergents, and other potentially dangerous materials. Must work under a variety of external and internal environmental conditions.
Note: All LAHI job descriptions are guidelines to assist employees in awareness of qualifications and performance expectations for their respective positions. It is not possible or desirable to commit every detailed aspect of each job to a written description. Each employee is expected to continually improve their knowledge and understanding of their job requirements and to use this information to increase insight as to the scope of their responsibilities. Job descriptions cannot be used as an argument to refuse work assignments.

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