Primate Welfare Specialist/Trainer

Job Description

OVERVIEW:

Established in 1961, the Washington National Primate Research Center (WaNPRC) is one of a network of seven unique national facilities for nonhuman primate (NHP) research funded by the Office for Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Center has facilities in both Seattle, WA and Mesa, AZ.

The purpose of this Research Scientist/Engineer 1 (NE S UAW) (Primate Welfare Specialist/Trainer) position is to provide the appropriate environment for the center’s NHPs in order to support outstanding biomedical research directed towards significant human health issues and nonhuman primate health, welfare, and biology. In conjunction with our Mission Statement, these values link this position to our purpose as a Center:

• Commitment to Research

• Teamwork

• Accountability – Productivity

• Communication

The focused purpose of this Primate Welfare Specialist/Trainer position is to support the Washington National Primate Research Center’s (WaNPRC) Behavioral Management Services program (BMS). This program was established in 1997 to A) Attend to the behavioral health and psychological well-being of NHPs and oversee the implementation of the IACUC-approved WaNPRC Environmental Enhancement Plan (EEP), B) Actively contribute to accepted professional standards of animal welfare through presentations, publications, and participation in scientific conferences, NPRC consortiums, and related working groups and subgroups, and C) Train WaNPRC employees, IACUC members and students on NHP behavior and behavioral management techniques, as well as educate the public through outreach efforts. BMS is an essential component of WaNPRC operations as its services and documentation are needed to meet federal animal welfare regulations, including compliance requirements of regulatory agencies (IACUC, AAALAC, and USDA).

Under the direction of the Head of Behavioral Management Services (BMS) and the BMS Primate Training Program Manager, the Primate Welfare Specialist/Trainer conducts activities to meet the mission of the BMS Program. This program oversees the implementation of the federally required UW Environmental Enhancement Plan for nonhuman primates (NHPs) which attends to the psychological well-being and behavioral health of WaNPRC's research monkeys. It also contributes to currently accepted professional standards regarding NHP health and well-being through dissemination of information and publication of scientific studies. BMS is an essential component of the Animal & Scientific Resources unit.

JOB DUTIES:

Primate Training – 35%

• Help develop, implement, and maintain positive reinforcement training (PRT) to prepare nonhuman primates for husbandry, veterinary, and research procedures.

• Review and address training requests.

• Develop individualized shaping and training plans; and communicate plans in a timely manner to animal care and research staff.

• Collaborate with animal care, veterinary, and research personnel to support cooperative care and transition trained behaviors to operational staff.

• Maintain accurate and detailed training records, metrics, and documentation to support program evaluation and cost/benefit analyses.

• Aid in updating, and maintaining SOPs, schedules, and forms related to animal training and behavioral management.

• Provide training, mentorship, and ongoing support to animal care and research staff, including identification and development of training apprentices.

• Deliver required PRT and behavior-related training to new personnel and participate in outreach, educational events, and consortia or professional working groups.

Behavioral Case Management, Social Housing, and Environmental Enrichment – 35%

• Help manage behavioral cases by collecting quantitative and qualitative data, implementing therapeutic interventions, and assessing the potential therapies for safety and efficacy.

• Conduct standardized behavioral monitoring, observations, and data collection (including time budgets) using approved software and databases.

• Help plan, implement, and monitor social housing arrangements, including partner selection, introductions, compatibility assessments, and ongoing group or pair evaluations.

• Help coordinate animal moves related to social housing or behavioral therapies, including procedure requests and maps.

• Distribute, and evaluate environmental and therapeutic enrichment; manage enrichment inventories, calendars, and associated metrics.

• Help assess behavioral, socialization, and enrichment strategies using collected data and contribute to continuous improvement of behavioral management methodologies.

• Maintain complete and accurate behavioral, socialization, and enrichment records; prepare summaries and reports for internal review, regulatory oversight, and inspections.

• Train staff on behavioral management, socialization, and enrichment procedures; provide guidance during animal arrivals, transfers, and project assignments.

Research – 25%

• Support and contribute to scientific research related to behavioral management, training, socialization, enrichment, and nonhuman primate psychological well-being.

• Research and apply evidence-based training methodologies and collaborate with internal and external experts as needed.

• Help evaluate and pilot new or innovative training, enrichment, or socialization strategies and integrate findings into practice and research outputs.

• Help collaborate with principal investigators and research staff during protocol development to advise on best practices for behavioral welfare.

• Collect, enter, tabulate, and analyze behavioral and welfare data using approved software systems.

• Conduct literature reviews, assist with research design, and contribute to manuscripts, reports, and peer-reviewed publications.

• Present research findings at scientific conferences, workshops, and professional meetings as appropriate.

Other - 5%

• Stay current on all required personnel training

• Maintain statistical reliability with BMS staff on behavioral and physical assessments

• Conduct physical exams in conjunction with veterinary staff to assess alopecia and to dye animals for identification purposes

• Transport and set up BMS equipment between facilities as needed

• Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and one year of relevant experience

• Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration

Desired

• 1 to 3 years of job-related experience required to successfully perform the duties of this position

• Three years of positive reinforcement training with any species

• Two years' experience working with non-human primates

• Formal training in positive reinforcement techniques including CCPDT, KPDTA, UW-AAB or other animal training certification

• Experience training nonhuman primates using positive reinforcement training including restraint, targeting, and presenting for injections

• Experience observing and reporting the behaviors of NHPs in a research or zoo setting

• Experience with NHP behavioral research, including writing reports on behavioral observations

• Supervisory Experience

• Experience working well with people of different personalities, education, and cultural backgrounds as well as working in a fast-paced, multi-task setting

• Experience using The Observer and/or HanDBase behavior tracking software

• Skills such as basic statistics, data visualization, database utilization (e.g., ARMS)

• Commitment to promoting NHP health and well-being

• Experience conducting observations/collecting behavioral data with any species

• Ability to work in a team environment and instruct others  

• Ability to work effectively and with sensitivity and discretion

• Commitment to maintain high professionalism standards and adherence to the inclusive environment

• Professional written and oral communication skills

• Understand and follow established written protocols, data collection methods, and schedules

• Demonstrated ability to work reliably, consistently, and with attention to detail

• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint

• Willingness to learn new software for observational data collection and animal records management

• Knowledge of nonhuman primate behavior and experience working with primates

• The ability to understand and follow WaNPRC standard operating procedures, policies and approved research protocols

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills because the incumbent may help train new employees in standard Behavioral Management practices and will be interacting closely with the veterinary, husbandry, and research staff on a daily basis

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

Pay Range Maximum:

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

Shift:

Temporary or Regular?

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

Union/Bargaining Unit:

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected]. 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.