Job Description
Position Summary:
This position will serve as the Tissue Trimming Laboratory Manager. This position is full-time and in-person, in Fort Collins, Colorado.
This position is full-time with a schedule based on section needs. This position may require after-hours and weekend work, based on caseload and urgent testing or laboratory needs. This is an essential position, and the employee may be required to report to work, without delay, on some weather closure days and various holidays throughout the year. This position will be required to report to work for emergency disease response requests and may be required to work significant hours (exceeding 40 hours per week) during a disease outbreak detection and response effort or other important diagnostic effort.
In-state and out of state travel may be required to attend diagnostic, quality management and other related meetings and trainings and provide education to colleagues or other units within the university.
For full consideration, please apply by Friday, November 20, 2026, 11:59 PM (MT). This position will remain open until filled.
Description of Work Unit:
At the CSU Veterinary Health System, animals and the people who care for them are at the heart of everything we do. Every decision we make reflects our commitment to those who trust us with their animals’ health. That focus inspires us to deliver expert veterinary services, support veterinary education and training, and advance groundbreaking research. We show up every day with passion, eagerness to collaborate, and a drive to redefine what’s possible. Our deep partnership with the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences amplifies our impact, enabling us to boldly innovate and share knowledge widely.
Essential Job Duties:
- Work independently and reliably as the Tissue Trimming section Laboratory Manager, ensuring operational and testing excellence for the section.
- Ensure all diagnostic sample processing and testing is performed accurately, according to quality and testing procedures, and is kept up to date based on diagnostic test advancements.
- Ensure client samples are accurately processed, and all turnaround times are met. Ensure optimal tissue orientation, section selection, and annotated gross photographic documentation to support accurate pathologist interpretation. Ensure accurate interpretation of clinical histories and appropriate tissue selection for ancillary testing through knowledge of medical terminology.
- Manage laboratory staff, which includes training and mentoring, organizing section schedules, providing performance feedback, and managing issues related to staff, including conflict resolution and other performance issues.
- Serve as a positive role model in work performance and practices and ensure staff follow the same, including completing testing without delay, minimizing non-work-related activities, ensuring completion of tasks in a timely manner.
- Manage all quality control aspects of the laboratory, ensure high level section performance in audits and competency testing, write and review standard operating procedures, and ensure that departures from the quality system are documented and appropriately managed.
- Provide exceptional client services to all VDL clients, including minimizing operational and testing issues and appropriately resolving client complaints.
- Ensure all personnel of the Tissue Trimming section appropriately comply with VDL, VHS, CVMBS, CSU and state/national policies and procedures and other regulatory requirements.
- Provide essential services, including reporting to work, without delay, on some weather closure days and various holidays throughout the year, responding to various emergency disease outbreaks and important diagnostic projects, and traveling as requested to provide training or assist other laboratories.
- Ensure laboratory staff safely handle and store chemicals and comply with applicable national, state and university guidelines for hazardous waste management.
- Other duties as assigned.
Conditions of Employment:
- Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for all new hires).
- Candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
- Essential Services Designation - Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety and welfare.
- On-call Status - In the event of an emergency declared by leadership, as needed, overtime work or work outside normal operating hours will be required.
- Shift Work - CSU Veterinary Health System does not follow standard University Holiday Schedule due to the nature of the business. After hours and weekend work may be required.
- Must safely lift and carry items that weigh up to 50lbs.
- May be required to be rabies vaccinated upon hire and maintain protective titers (blood drawn on a schedule determined by CSU Occupational Health to evaluate status).
- Use, Handling, or Exposure to hazardous and/or zoonotic materials.
- Travel.
Supervision:
3.0 – 4.0 FTE Ad Pro and State Classified Tissue Trimming Technicians; student and non-student hourly employees as needed.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree in microbiology or a related science field.
- A minimum of 2 years of relevant laboratory experience is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- A minimum of 2 years of experience performing Tissue Trimming/Grossing diagnostics is highly preferred.
- Demonstrated advanced knowledge of veterinary-specific Tissue Trimming laboratory diagnostic methodologies, including, but not limited to in depth knowledge of anatomy, orientation of tissues and medical terminology is highly preferred.
- A minimum of 2 years of experience with veterinary laboratory quality assurance/quality control programs is preferred.
- A minimum of 2 years of experience in leading a team or managing projects is preferred.
Additional Information:
Search Contact: Brittany Kerr, Brittany.Kerr@colostate.edu.
Salary Range
$58,000 – $65,000
Required Application Documents
To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Cover Letter, Resume/CV
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
EEO
Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
