Operations Manager

Department Overview

The Vollum Institute is a privately endowed research institute at Oregon Health & Science University dedicated to basic research that will lead to new treatments for neurological and psychiatric diseases. Vollum scientists have broad-ranging interests that coalesce around molecular neurobiology and cellular physiology. Their work has transformed the field of neuroscience and, in particular, have provided important advances in the study of synaptic transmission, neuronal development, neurotransmitter transporters, ion channels and the neurobiology of disease.

 

As the operations manager you are responsible for building and laboratory operations and maintenance, major and minor remodeling, department support/core operations, and building safety for the 42K square foot Vollum Institute. The position serves as a key liaison between scientific staff of all levels and internal (OHSU) and external contractors and service technicians supporting facilities, including  animal and other core facilities serving 25 faculty and approximately 170 staff and students. This position will also provide support for the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, 26K square feet, by advising, sharing of resources and FTE support, serving 15 faculty and approximately 80 employees overall.

Function/Duties of Position

• Serve as building and laboratory operations manager for the Vollum Institute including five floors of molecular biology and physiology research laboratories (plus one floor in MRB), an animal facility, and five levels of core space, including meeting rooms, illustrations, labware washing & sterilization, microscopy, and other specialized research areas.
• Responsible for the proper functioning of the buildings’ infrastructure and environment, including heating/air conditioning and air balance, deionized water, compressed air and vacuum systems, fume hoods, biological safety cabinets, and common research equipment and facilities, including temperature control rooms, radioactive material usage rooms, and seminar and meeting rooms and their audiovisual equipment. Coordinate closely with OHSU Facilities personnel on core building and systems maintenance. Facilitate lab equipment and systems troubleshooting and repair. Provides support and ensures overall aesthetics of the lobbies, message boards, display cases and public spaces is upkept. Provides input on function of student spaces.
• Manage Aeroscout remote monitoring system components, maintaining alarm thresholds and notification lists, as well as battery replacement.
• Troubleshoot building automation and environmental control issues in collaboration with Building Systems Control team.
• Support zebrafish facility managers to maintain equipment as needed.
• Plan and supervise laboratory and office remodeling projects, minor renovations, and energy efficiency efforts. Act as “owner’s representative” for major remodeling projects (up to $20M); interact with faculty, OHSU project management, architects, and contractors. Supervise laboratory moves and laboratory setup for new faculty, including moving arrangements from other sites and evaluation of startup requirements. Report facility space usage data annually to Campus Planning and Real Estate, works with Space Committee on new requests or leasing.
• Authorize building, laboratory and common equipment repair and upgrade expenses. Tag capital assets, maintains list. Negotiate and administer equipment service contracts and annual maintenance/inspections. Oversees Purchasing Agents with purchasing and delivery and provides justification to CRO office for capital expenses, ensures that campus purchasing procedures are followed. Work closely with internal Purchasing Agents on large purchases for lab start-ups, core equipment, etc. Total annual expenditures of approx. $1M. Oversees capital equipment replacement prioritization, provides input for the annual Capital Equipment Budget. Supervise obsolete equipment surplus.
• Responsible for building safety, signage and incident action planning. Coordinate with OHSU Environmental Health and Safety office on handling and disposing of chemical and radioactive waste and spill response. Ensure that fire codes and fire inspection stipulations are met. Ensure that safety equipment is in proper working order. Oversee locks/keys and authorize key and access requests for Vollum Institute owned space. Member of the Research and Academic Emergency Management Committee and Incident Commander team including 24/7 incident response. Communication lead for Vollum hazard response. Attends Safety Inspections and ensures findings are mitigated/cleared. Oversees safety committee and maintains Emergency Action plans.
• Lab coordinator for BIORAFT lab safety training, chemical inventory, waste disposal tool. Assists lab personnel with maintaining lab roster, waste disposal requests, chemical inventory management.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in applicable field of study.

Experience:

• Two years experience in a scientific or technical facility environment. Additional two years experience in lieu of degree.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to exercise independent judgment, problem-solve, and to work with minimal supervision. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to relate well to a wide variety of people.   

• Understanding of building infrastructure and remodeling. Familiarity with the skilled building trades.

   

• Project management experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in a field of basic science.
• Certified Facilities Manager (CFM) or similar

Experience:

• Five years experience in a scientific or technical facility environment.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Personnel management experience.

• Advanced information technology skills.
• Knowledge of biomedical research laboratory procedures and regulatory requirements related to laboratory safety and operations.
• Knowledge of purchasing and elementary accounting.

Additional Details

Works in offices, biological or chemical labs, and in utility spaces such as mechanical rooms. requiring the use of appropriate PPE. Works with equipment using electricity, air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, cryogenic liquids. Occasional exposure to research animals such as mice, rats, fish, and insects. Remote up to 20%.

On call for emergencies impacting research labs.

 

Pay Range: $74,193.60 - $118,539.20 annually (Commensurate with qualifications, experience and internal equity)

All are welcome

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.

Salary : $74,194 - $118,539