Description
The Animal Care Services Team in the Office of VP Research is currently seeking a Full-time Limited Term Post Approval Assurance Coordinator for approximately 24 months.
The University of Calgary is responsible for the compliance monitoring of animals used in animal-based research, teaching, and testing. The formal Post-Approval Assurance (PAA) Program promotes harmonization and adherence to standards after Animal Care Committee (ACC) review has been conducted and animal use activities have been approved.
Post-approval assurance is conducted across three Animal Care Committees and at multiple locations on and off-campus under the Animal Care and Use Program for the University of Calgary. PAA involves several peak period assessments including weekly, monthly, annual, and tri-annual cycles.
The Post-Approval Assurance Coordinator (PAAC) reports to the University Veterinarian and Senior Manager and Coordinator ACCs; however, will receive day-to-day direction from the Post-Approval Assurance Specialist (PAAS). The PAAC ensures that the PAA Program is administered and implemented in accordance with the standards of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC). The PAAC is also accountable for ensuring the PAA Program follows applicable legislation and regulations, professional and ethical codes, and institutional policies.
The PAAC will assist the PAAS to administer the Post-Approval Assurance Program and subsequent processes with the intent to be informative, facilitative, and collaborative. The PAAC assists in planning, coordination, completion, and documentation of post-approval assurance activities, including site and procedural assessments, to verify compliance and ensure that high standards for animal care are in compliance with approved Animal Use Protocols, training, best practices, university policies, and Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) policies and guidelines.
This position will work closely with the Assistant University Veterinarians, Associate University Veterinarians, Animal Care Committee Coordinator, Animal Care Committee Chairs, Animal Care Committees, animal care staff, and research teams to conduct formal PAAs to ensure consistency between animal use activity and what is described in the Principal Investigator's approved Animal Use Protocols (AUPs).
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Program Administration
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Assist in the development and advancement of the Post-Approval Assurance Program, in accordance with institutional policies, procedures and CCAC guidelines.
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Assist in planning, conducting, and documenting post-approval assurance activities including site and procedural assessments to verify compliance and ensure that high standards for animal care is in compliance with approved protocols, training, best practices, university policies, and Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines.
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Provide administrative assistance to the Authentic Education and Post-Approval Assurance site visits, including coordination of logistics, and administration of certificates of approval.
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Maintain records in order to plan, track, and report on assessment status, findings, recommendations, and follow-up.
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Immediately report non-compliance affecting animal welfare to the University Veterinarian, Post-Approval Assurance Specialist, and Senior Manager and Coordinator ACCs as required.
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Work with Post-Approval Assurance Specialist, Veterinarians, Senior Manager and Coordinator ACCs, ACC Chairs to resolve issues promptly and ensure recommendations are implemented in a specific timeframe.
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Participate in annual ACC site visits of animal care facilities and assist in the follow-up of recommendations.
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Participate in ACC meetings as required for Post-Approval Assurance issues.
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Contribute to CCAC Good Animal Practice (GAP) recertification activities.
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In scenarios of noncompliance, gaps in knowledge, deficiencies in skill, or animal welfare incidents, document and report the noncompliant activity to the Post-Approval Assurance Specialist.
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Following noncompliance, work under the direction of the Post-Approval Assurance Specialist to ensure proper corrective actions are taken.
Leadership
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Provide advice and guidance to recommend new and appropriate resources to stakeholders through networking, research, continuing education, and knowledge transfer.
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Participate in establishing procedures or best practices related to animal care, facility operations, etc.
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Work with animal facility management, staff, and researchers to ensure animal procedures, animal housing, and husbandry practices comply with regulatory standards.
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Participate in the delivery and administration of the Institutional Animal User Training Program.
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Review training requirements and promote best practices.
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Work with the Post-Approval Assurance Specialist and Institutional Animal User Training Program (IAUTP) team to recommend further training if required and to follow up on training files to ensure appropriate training of staff and students.
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Establish and maintain a positive working relationship with colleagues including investigators, trainees and staff; promote collaboration, collegiality, and professionalism.
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Keep well-informed of current developments in animal care, related technologies, and post-approval monitoring through networking, webinars, conferences and workshops, and share with the appropriate university stakeholders.
Exercise tact, confidentiality, and diplomacy in conducting PAA and in making recommendations, especially in delicate situations.
Qualifications / Requirements:
Formal Education
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Minimum BSc in life science or Registered Veterinary Technologist is required.
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CALAS certification (RLAT) is preferred.
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A strong background in experimental animal research is essential.
Experience
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A minimum of three (3) years' experience in a university setting where animal research is conducted is preferred.
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Experience with a wide variety of laboratory animals, such as rodents, aquatic animals, large animals, as well as familiarity with best practice technical and/or surgical standards and procedures involved in research is required.
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Experience with quality assurance and regulatory affairs in animal research is preferred.
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Experience and proficiency with a variety of computer programs including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint), email programs, animal ethics protocol management software (e.g. IRISS), and vivarium management software (e.g. MOSAIC) are highly advantageous.
Other
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Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills are required.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
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Sensitivity, discretion, courtesy, professionalism, and high ethical standards are required.
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Training and knowledge in laboratory safety.
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Excellent track record dealing with conflict management and conflict resolution with a friendly and approachable attitude.
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Ability to deal effectively and diplomatically in delicate situations, to guide and influence people.
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Sound knowledge of CCAC Guidelines, provincial regulations and other applicable laws, regulations and guidelines governing laboratory (including agricultural) animal care and use.
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Familiarity with university processes for protected disclosure.
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Ability to travel to work at multiple campuses including Foothills Campus, Main Campus and Spy Hill Campus.
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A valid Class 5 driver¿s license (cannot be a graduated license) with proven good driving record (abstract required).
Application Deadline: August 2, 2026
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 2.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([email protected]).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
