Staff - Union
CUPE 116
CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3
Assistant Training Coordinator
Training Operations | Animal Care Services
$5,047.00 - $5,503.00 CAD Monthly
August 5, 2026
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
Ongoing
At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.
Job Description Summary
This position facilitates the institutions efforts to ensure that all education, training, and research involving the use of animals conducted at the University is in accordance with CCAC and University rules and regulations. Assists and works with the Training Manager, Training Coordinator(s) and the Veterinary Head of Training in coordinating campus-wide training programs, courses and workshops on laboratory animal science for laboratory personnel in the animal research community at UBC, Lower Mainland Biotechnology industry partners and Animal Care Services staff. Complies with the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) Guidelines on institutional animal user training at both the Vancouver and Okanagan Campuses. Performs duties related to technical research services.
Organizational Status
Reports to the Training Manager. May take work direction from the Training Coordinator(S).
Animal Care Services (ACS), the largest animal care program in Western Canada and the second largest in Canada, is responsible for providing research support to the animal-based research community associated with the University of British Columbia and its affiliates through its veterinary services team, the compliance team, the training team, the procurement team and its facilities. ACS is committed to providing excellence in research support to all UBC researchers with accountability, communication, cooperation, customer service and integrity. ACS reports to the Vice President Research & Innovation.
Work Performed
Providing consistent, high quality and compassionate care to all animals in accordance with the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines and established research protocols.
Working closely with the Training Coordinator(s), this position performs the following responsibilities:
Responsible for set-up and clean-up for all training activities.
Assists with the delivery of educational programs in laboratory animal science to the research community at UBC, as well as UBCO and Lower Mainland Biotechnology industry partners and ACS staff. These programs may include handling, restraint, injection, blood sampling, anesthesia, euthanasia, gavage, husbandry and surgical techniques in multiple species; short courses for physicians, surgical residents, medical students, research personnel and staff. Training occurs in multiple facilities at or affiliated with UBC.
Assists with ensuring all training activities relating directly or indirectly to animal use and care are in accordance with acceptable veterinary standards and the standards articulated in the Guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care. Ensures that matters of researcher animal use and non-compliance are directed to the veterinary staff and the Animal Care Committee for action and makes recommendation in the development of remedies.
Communicates with students regarding course information, registration, examination, certification, as well as managing the associated administrative components.
Tracks and reports to the Veterinary Head of Training students unable to complete a course. Keeps records of all training and certification.
Tracks all animal usage records and prepares reports of animal usage for the Animal Care Committee related to training.
Assists in preparing draft Animal Care Protocols for animals involved in the training programs.
Assists with the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that will be used university-wide for common and specialized surgical procedures, administration of substances, sample collection, etc. as well as developing training materials such as videos to be used as references by research personnel.
Provides instruction and training to new Research Animal Technicians in support and husbandry duties, new techniques and standard operating procedures.
Evaluates and maintains the extensive inventory of supplies and equipment necessary for surgical procedures (may include general, soft-tissue, orthopedic and cardiac surgery) in a variety of animal species. Inventory may include narcotics and controlled drugs, sutures, surgical instruments and linens (sterile and unsterile), anesthesia monitoring and surgical equipment.
For animals used in training in the Centre for Comparative Medicine:
- Responsible for species-specific animal husbandry and care, including social enrichment for all species.
- Ensures compliance with standard operating procedures related to animal infection control within vivarium and surgical laboratories.
- Responsible for the health monitoring quality assurance program and maintains documentation and animal health records accordingly. This involves setting up of sentinel animals and regularly collecting blood for serum sampling.
Treat confidentially all information related to research projects, personnel, and locations and agrees not to disclose any such information to any person except as may be necessary in the proper discharge of work obligations.
Keep abreast of developments in the field of animal husbandry and welfare, participating in continuing education programs and maintains necessary certifications.
Report any safety concerns to the ACS Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee (JOHSC).
Performs other duties as required.
Consequence of Error/Judgement
This person must pay attention to details, be aware of pitfalls and be willing to repeat tasks if necessary. Most of the procedures will require following a protocol already in place, however, there is room for innovative thinking to improve upon existing protocols and provide input into the direction of the work. These positions are expected to exercise initiative and judgment in establishing priorities and carrying tasks through to completion. Incorrect decisions could result in deterioration of animal health, including mortality. Inappropriate judgment exercised by the position may impact the success of the facility, leading to increased expenses, time loss and damage to departmental reputation. Inappropriate judgment concerning the use of controlled substances could lead to legal action against the university or revoking of provincial licenses currently held by the university veterinarians.
Supervision Received
Works under general supervision; receives detailed instructions on the assignment of new duties and thereafter only on new or unusual problems.
Supervision Given
May oversee and direct the work of one or two employees at lower classifications in which case they are responsible for the accuracy, production, and control of the work unit.
Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Preferred Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant field or graduation from a technical college or institute.
CALAS Registered Laboratory Animal Technician (RLAT) preferred.
Experience in working with small and large animals in a research capacity.
Proficiency in understanding the physical, behavioural and environmental requirements of individual species. Ability to identify common medical problems in laboratory animals and take appropriate action.
Must demonstrate a sound theoretical and working knowledge of the principles and practice of laboratory animal science and working knowledge of veterinary technology, biomedical research, medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and intensive/critical care.
Must also demonstrate a competency in surgical procedures including surgical preparation, anesthesiology (e.g. using mechanical ventilators, anesthesia machines, ECG, and capnography), common technical procedures and radiography.
Ability to train others.
Ability to explain, assign and monitor work.
Ability to facilitate groups to achieve appropriate outcomes.
Ability to coordinate and oversee work processes.
Ability to evaluate performance by establishing standards and goals, providing feedback and taking corrective action.
Ability to anticipate problems and issues and plan ahead.
Ability to determine the nature and urgency of inquiries and issues, and triage appropriately.
Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, organizational and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work both independently and within a team environment.
Ability to be thorough, accurate, and have a high level of attention to detail.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the job including: working in humid environments with varying temperatures; continuous exposure to animal dander, odors, excreta, dust, and noise, including potentially lethal pathogens and radioisotopes.
Able to lift up to 25 kgs several times throughout the day and work in an environment that requires continuous walking, bending, stooping, reaching, twisting and turning.
Ability to operate job-related equipment.
Ability to effectively use software at a moderate level (e.g., Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, MOSAIC, Workday).
Ability to read and comprehend technical material.
Be willing to maintain and upgrade training.
Ability to understand and apply policies, SOPs, instructions and applicable Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines.
Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.
Ability to listen actively and attentively, and obtain clarification as required.
Ability to deal with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner.
Ability to work toward consensus and resolve differences.
Ability to demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships.
Ability to resolve complaints and interpersonal conflict in a calm, non-confrontational manner, and by exercising sound judgment.
This position may involve travel to and from UBC research facilities or work sites. The incumbent is expected to have a general familiarity with day-to-day activities and processes in multiple facilities working with multiple species.
Work schedules can include evenings, weekends and holidays.
