Academic Lab Manager II - Department of Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University is accepting applications for an Academic Lab Manager II.

About the Opportunity

Under the direction and supervision of the Academic Laboratory Manager III, the employee must organize, coordinate, and supervise the day-to-day operation of the chemistry laboratories in the C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry. The employee will oversee and participate in various critical operations in the laboratory preparation facilities and will assist faculty in the development and testing of new experiments.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

Laboratory Management

• Prepare chemicals, solutions, and materials used in the chemistry laboratories and by faculty who perform lecture demonstrations. Dispense the solutions, label containers, and deliver all chemicals and solutions prior to the beginning of each laboratory session.
• Manage specific areas of the Chemistry Preparatory Facilities as assigned by the supervisor, maintaining quality and consistency of laboratory chemicals to ensure that teaching laboratory sections operate seamlessly and consistently.
• Ensure work areas are hazard- and obstruction-free, and regularly reevaluate location of storage, equipment and personnel to optimize laboratory spaces.
• Assist faculty members and colleagues with the development and testing of new teaching lab experiments.
• Work with colleagues to solve problems associated with specific experiments and make recommendations for changes based on literature reviews, as necessary.
• Pre-run proposed experiments to determine efficacy, check for inherent safety techniques, and determine the time needed for the experiment to be performed by undergraduate students.
• Understand the risks of handling chemicals and exercise good practices in their storage and usage.
• Respond to requests from Teaching Assistants and effectively deliver the supplies to the laboratories. Maintain a working knowledge of appropriate concentration of solutions in units such as molarity, normality, molality, and percent and prepare them accurately.
• Maintain a working knowledge of laboratory equipment used in undergraduate chemistry courses including balances, pH meters, mel-temps, gas chromatographs, refractometers, centrifuges, digital thermometers, etc.
• Oversee and participate in the distribution and maintenance of equipment and glassware/supplies, located in the stockroom, used in the laboratories by relocating, repairing, or coordinating repairs with appropriate personnel.
• Coordinate chemistry laboratory functions with faculty members and supervisor to ensure materials, supplies and equipment are readily available.
• Oversee the storage of chemicals in the Chemistry Prep Facilities according to OSHA regulations and their corresponding SDS documentation.
• Assist in maintaining a working inventory of chemicals and supplies needed for the Chemistry Prep Rooms and prepare new orders through Mountaineer Marketplace when necessary.
• Maintain good housekeeping in assigned areas and participate in routine summer and winter laboratory cleaning, as requested.
• Stock gloves, towels, and other items, as needed.
• Coordinate and oversees demonstration events involving on-site participation during working hours, or eventually during evenings or weekends, as needed.
• Participate on departmental committees, as requested.

Safety and Supervisory Responsibilities

• Comply with Federal, State, University, and departmental safety practices and regulations.
• Exercise acceptable safety practices and monitor the Prep Room/Stockroom areas for potential hazards.
• Supervise and monitor student workers' performance, ensure they are equipped with the proper supplies, and ensure tasks are completed accurately and on time.
• Train student workers in handling, dispensing, storing and transporting chemicals for laboratories and ensure adherence to safety measures.

Hazardous Waste Collection and Disposal Responsibilities

• Determine preliminary hazard parameters for chemical waste, remove chemical waste from laboratories and submit removal requests with WVU EH&S.
• Create and maintain labels for liquid and solid waste containers for collection, storage, inventory, and disposal.
• Assure that hazardous waste collection and requests for disposal are in compliance with EH&S and federal disposal rules and regulations.
• Complete weekly Resource Conservation and Recovery Act's (RCRA) 90-day Waste Container Checklists.

Chemical and Equipment Inventory Management

• Oversee central receiving of Research Materials Management System (RMM) in coordination with EH&S Chemical Inventory Specialist, and of other shipments.
• Complete New Equipment Acquisition forms and tag new equipment under the direction of WVU's Asset Management Group.
• Maintain a working inventory of chemicals and supplies in prep rooms, laboratories, and stockrooms, communicate inventory levels and request ordering of replenishments.
• Coordinate storage and/or removal of surplus equipment/instruments.
• Oversee gas cylinder inventory, liquid nitrogen tank levels, tracks usage, submit requests for refills, and perform yearly audits with Airgas and WVU Purchasing.
• Oversee the departmental lab coat cleaning services. Accept custody of delivery weekly and coordinate with groups for collection of clean lab coats.

Online-Lab Content Support

• Collaborate with the Academic Affairs Coordinator, faculty and college committees for online laboratory experiments.
• Collaborate with the Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies to coordinate the online labs.
• Coordinate and participate in pre-semester TA training sessions to prepare new graduate students for their roles in the academic laboratories.
• Participate in TA meetings. Develop and present informative talks at meetings regarding upcoming experiments and any special safety concerns.

Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry or related science field.
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience working in a laboratory setting.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of chemical and physical principles.
• Ability to pass First aid/CPR certifications as needed.
• Ability to pass DOT/IATA certification as needed.
• Knowledge of laboratory techniques, equipment, and terminology used in chemistry, including ability to operate such equipment.
• Knowledge of equipment, chemicals and techniques used in organic chemistry is preferred.
• Ability to supervise and train other staff members and student workers.
• Ability to organize an academic laboratory and to maintain good housekeeping in assigned areas.
• Ability to analyze and monitor program success and identify improvement opportunities.
• Self-directed and self-motivated with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently, as required.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to effectively give and receive oral and written communications and to follow work assignments.
• Ability to plan and complete both short-range and long-range projects for the supervisor.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative, productive working relationships with all departmental personnel and students.
• Ability to follow safety codes and policies established by the department, University, State and Federal government.
• Ability to function cooperatively in a team environment.
• Ability to maintain proper unit attendance and punctuality standards.

Certifications

• First aid/CPR certification or ability to be certified as needed.
• DOT/IATA certification or ability to be certified as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hazardous material management.
• Supervisory responsibilities.
• Online teaching experience or equivalent online academic activity delivery.

Physical Demands & Physical Coordination

The incumbent must have good hand/eye coordination and good visual attention for preparation of chemical solutions and maintenance of laboratory equipment. Work requires the ability to read, write, review, sort, and file materials and documents. Incumbents must be able to stoop, bend, lift, walk, reach, stand, and sit for extended periods of time.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and engaging working environment and actively seek candidates who bring diverse ideas, approaches and experiences.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. We value diversity among our faculty, staff and students and invite applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.