Organizational Summary Statement:
The University of Maryland-College Park animal care and use program provides a humane and compliant environment for all animals involved in research, teaching and testing activities. This program is overseen by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Veterinary care and other aspects of this program are managed by the University Attending Veterinarian, who also serves as the Director, Department of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR).
DLAR is a research support unit in the Division of Research. Reporting to the Vice President for Research, the DLAR team is composed of animal care technicians and veterinarians with specialty training and certifications specific to laboratory animal medicine and care, as well as dedicated administrative support staff.
DLAR provides the expertise, care and resources necessary to ensure the welfare of university animals through humane care and use. The UMD Animal Care and Use Program has been fully accredited by AAALAC, International since 2011.
Job Summary:
The Program Administrative Specialist serves as a critical operational, administrative, and programmatic lead for the Department of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) within the Division of Research at the University of Maryland, College Park. Over time, this role has evolved beyond traditional front-office administration to include ownership of systems, processes, communications, and cross-functional coordination that support DLAR’s mission of humane animal care, regulatory compliance, and research excellence.
The position requires a high level of independence, judgment, initiative, and problem-solving, and functions as a trusted point of continuity within the department. The Administrative Specialist proactively identifies operational gaps, implements improvements, and ensures consistency, efficiency, and reliability across departmental functions. This is an essential position supporting the animal care program and may occasionally require work during weekends, holidays, or emergency closings (e.g., inclement weather). The position is eligible for overtime pay and reports to the DLAR Assistant Director, Finance.
Physical Demands:
Sedentary work performed in a normal office environment; exerts up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Ability to attend meetings both on and off campus. Spending long hours in front of a computer screen.
Bachelors degree and Four years experience in administrative staff work. Working knowledge of reference and research methods and techniques used in collecting, compiling, and organizing data and information, working knowledge of analytical and statistical principles and techniques. Skill in the use of office automation software and its applications, ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, to handle sensitive materials with discretion and tact, to present ideas and information clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; to perform mathematical computations; to present statistical material in chart and graph form. Ability to independently handle multiple tasks and set priorities. Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 college credits being equivalent to one year of experience.
Preferences:
Required Application Materials: Application
Posting Close Date: 01/29/2026
Open Until Filled: N/A
Not Applicable to This Position
No
For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.
VPR-Laboratory Animal Resources
Staff Regular
$51,069.00 - $61,283.00
For more information on Regular Nonexempt benefits, select this link.
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
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