Chemistry Academic Laboratories and Facilities Manager

Job Summary/Basic Function:

This position is responsible for ensuring operation of all academic laboratories in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. This laboratories manager is in charge of department laboratory safety (academic and research), all the academic laboratory logistics, oversight of the laboratory fee account, and management and maintenance of all chemistry department scientific instrumentation.  This position maintains the department’s chemical inventory management system and coordinates with campus departments and agencies as well as state agencies to ensure compliance to federal, state and local regulations. The laboratories manager is point of contact and liaison for all facilities projects and maintenance within department and acts as co-building coordinator for the Science Building. This position supervises three professional staff members as well as multiple student employees.

Department Overview:

With a vision to “Promote student success through excellence in chemistry,” the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry works to create an environment that is student-centered around research, curriculum, and culture. Our research targets a wide variety of 21st-century problems with innovative approaches. Our invigorating curriculum conveys the knowledge of the complex discipline of chemistry to our students. We strive to create a department culture that embraces a team spirit of cooperation and respect for all.

Level Scope:

Recognized subject matter expert who knows how to apply theory and put it into practice with in-depth understanding of the professional field with limited oversight from managers. Independently performs the full range of responsibilities within the function; requires deep job knowledge of areas typically obtained through higher education combined with experience. Manages large projects or processes and problems faced are difficult and often complex; analyzes problems/issues of diverse scope and determines solutions. May manage programs that include formulating strategies and administering policies, processes, and resources; functions with a high degree of autonomy. Influences others regarding policies, practices and procedures.

Essential Functions:

60% of Time the Chemistry Academic Laboratories and Facilities Manager must: Determine, design and implement best practices for management of academic laboratories and department instrumentation

● Supervise Laboratory Services Coordinators and student employees.  Make hiring recommendations, assign and check work and handle performance issues.

● Assist in scheduling educational laboratory times and locations, and additionally assist in assigning Laboratory Services Coordinators and student employee work schedules.

● Manage local spending account budget and records for laboratory fees.

● Support Laboratory Services Coordinators and day-to-day educational laboratory functions as needed.

● Coordinate communication between stockroom staff and the rest of the department.

● Act as the department point-of-contact for chemistry research laboratories.

● Maintain a variety of complex scientific instruments used in academic laboratories and take proper corrective action to resolve issues.  Instruments include small meters, IRs, UV-Vis spectrophotometers, HPLCs, GCs and GC-MSs, among others. 

● Manage training, access, maintenance and acquisition of department instrumentation.

● Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for instrument use.

35% of the Time the Chemistry Academic Laboratories and Facilities Manager must: Determine, design and implement best practices for department laboratory safety and management of chemistry facilities.

● Manage safety issues in academic and research labs. 

● Serve on chemistry department safety committee.

● Identify and dispose of hazardous chemicals and waste in accordance with university, federal, and state requirements.   

● Act as point-of-contact for outside agencies regarding compliance and safety for the chemistry department.

● Management of chemical inventory and disposal to ensure compliance with university, state, and federal regulations.

● Organize and coordinate safety training for all departmental instructional positions.

● Management and review of laboratory accidents, incidents and issues.

● Act as department contact for emergency response in appropriate situations.

● Manage remodels, reorganizations, and occupation of chemistry department facilities and spaces.

● Act building coordinator and liaison to facilities, operations, and maintenance for minor facilities needs on as needed basis.

5% of Time the Chemistry Academic Laboratories and Facilities Manager must: Additional committee work and