Facility Coordinator: Department of Biology – UTK Position Available In Knox, Tennessee

Facility Coordinator:

Department of Biology – UTK
University of Tennessee Chattanooga Knoxville, TN Full-time Other
Posted on April 06, 2025
Job Description
In collaboration with the Facility Manager, this position plays a pivotal role in coordinating facility operations and further ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This multifaceted role requires specialized knowledge to ensure adnce to regulatory guidelines and prevent violations. This individual regularly completes internal audits, verifies SOP compliance, and performs high-level administrative work to include overseeing procurement, maintaining required documentation, and assisting management with project planning and implementation. Additionally, they support efficient facility function by managing task assignments, supporting animal care staff, and serving as the acting facility leader in the manager’s absence.
In collaboration with the Facility Manager, this position plays a pivotal role in coordinating facility operations and further ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This multifaceted role requires specialized knowledge to ensure adnce to regulatory guidelines and prevent violations. This individual regularly completes internal audits, verifies SOP compliance, and performs high-level administrative work to include overseeing procurement, maintaining required documentation, and assisting management with project planning and implementation. Additionally, they support efficient facility function by managing task assignments, supporting animal care staff, and serving as the acting facility leader in the manager’s absence.
Responsibilities
Regulatory Compliance
Perform internal audits independently to verify required task documentation and confirm compliance with our various policies and guidelines set forth by Federal, State, and Local regulatory agencies
Ensure vivarium practices are compliant with institutional and facility Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Assist manager in addressing and reporting non-compliant events
Develop, review, and improve administrative policies and facility SOPs in collaboration with management and appropriate agencies
Actively track approved animal use quantities as mandated by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
Verify research project details against IACUC protocols to ensure regulatory compliance
Maintain BioSafety, Hazardous Materials, Safety Data Sheets, Emergency Response, and Chemical Inventory records
Document required equipment maintenance and calibration
Administration
Serve as acting facility leader in manager’s absence to include after hour situations
Independently perform high-level administrative tasks to ensure optimal practices
Assist management in financial verification process
Assist with routine data collection and compilation for rate analysis in accordance with NIH guidelines
Prepare and obtain cost estimates for purchases
Document purchases for internal order tracking and verification
Lead Facility Tours and Orientations for new researchers
Respond to requests and follow up communications on behalf of supervisor
Prepare materials for staff meetings and provide minutes for documentation
Facilitate procurement of animals for researchers in adnce with approved protocols and facility guidelines
Maintain required monthly task assignments per regulatory guidelines along with training, sanitization, and equipment documentation
Identify inefficiencies or problems in operations and propose solutions
Facility Operations
Perform functional supervision of daily operations and ensure appropriate task delegation
Maintain and update various facility schedules to include new research, animal orders and deliveries, husbandry, enrichment, staffing, and facility maintenance
Coordinate project implementation with facility technicians while maintaining adaptability in response to facility dynamics
Oversee inventory, equipment, and supply orders
Submit and oversee work requests with various departments within Facility Services
Schedule annual and quarterly required maintenance of various facility equipment and record documentation
Facilitate biowaste, chemical hazard, and pressurized gas pick-up/delivery
Routinely verify temperature and light schedules remain within regulatory parameters
Animal Husbandry Support
Support animal care staff and perform husbandry tasks as a fill in when necessary to include the following:
Carry out health observations and cage changes, report health issues to veterinary staff as appropriate
Capability to work in all facility areas including biohazard, immunocompromised, and quarantine levels with a variety of animal species
Assist faculty, research staff, veterinary staff, and technicians as requested
Follow all SOPs, safety procedures, and trainings as required by the University, departmental, and regulatory agencies
Operate facility equipment and provides maintenance as necessary
May require availability outside of normal working hours as needed
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Education and experience: Bachelor’s Degree with 1-year minimum laboratory animal experience

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Knowledge of the regulations, functions and requirements of a lab animal facility
Organizational and time management skills
Strong written and oral communication skills
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Ability to work independently but also to function as part of a team
Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

AALAS Certification (ALAT or higher); Research laboratory management experience

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Knowledge of lab animal regulatory guidelines
Work Location
Onsite at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus
Compensation and Benefits
UT market range: MR05
Anticipated hiring range: $37,000 – $40,000, DOE&Q
Find more information on the UT Market Range structure Find more information on UT Benefits Application Instructions
For full consideration, interested individuals should provide a cover letter addressing professional experience relevant to this position, a resume, and complete contact information for three professional references, including current supervisor.