Academic Laboratory Manager III - Department of Chemistry

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

About the Opportunity

Under the direction and supervision of the Chemistry Department Chairperson, the incumbent must organize, coordinate, and supervise the day-to-day operation of the Foundational Chemistry Laboratories in the C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry. The employee will serve as the Chemistry Hygiene office and Director of Laboratory Safety for the C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry.

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 (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

Director of Foundational Chemistry Laboratory Operations (200- 300- and 400 level laboratories)

• Responsible for overseeing the operation and supervision of the 200-level organic and analytical chemistry laboratories [15-20 teaching assistants (TAs) in 30 in-person laboratory sections with more than 800 undergraduates enrolled per semester]. Responsible for troubleshooting and resolving issues associated with the labs in collaboration with the faculty coordinators/instructors. Must resolve complex administrative challenges and requests.
• Manage laboratory scheduling and staffing for CHEM 231L, 233L, 234L and CHEM 215L. Collaborates with the Student Success and Academic Affairs Coordinators, and appropriate faculty and college level committees. Brainstorm with department administration to determine creative methods to accommodate increasing enrollments in the undergraduate chemistry laboratories.
• Oversee staff providing and provide direct support, as time allows, to upper-level Chemistry laboratories, including CHEM 310L, CHEM 335L, CHEM 422L, CHEM 462L
• Create budgets for organic and analytical chemistry laboratories ensuring supplies and equipment will enable the smooth facilitation of the curriculum. Collaborates with departmental budget officers to ensure budget constraints are considered.
• Collaborate with faculty on lab development and testing of new experiments which range from simple to complex that are designed for use in the organic and analytical chemistry laboratories. Be proactive and independently solve problems that are associated with specific experiments. Make recommendations for new laboratory experiments by researching the current literature in chemical education.
• Plan and participate in pre-semester TA training sessions to prepare new graduate students for their roles as instructors in the academic laboratories.
• Participate in TA meetings (daily and weekly). Develop and present informative talks at meetings regarding upcoming experiments and any special safety concerns.

Academic Laboratory Stockroom Supervisor and Inventory Management

• Manage all aspects of the departmental stockroom for academic labs. Assess the software needs for the assigned area. Serve as a source of information and technical consultant for faculty, staff and graduate students in Chemistry.
• Ensure that all check-in materials for the academic laboratories are up-to-date and available at the beginning of each semester. Update student drawer cost sheets on an annual basis or semester basis.
• Purchase glassware and supplies for the academic laboratories through Mountaineer Marketplace or other platforms following university's procurement policies.
• Responsible for overseeing central receiving of Research Materials Management System (RMM) in coordination with EH&S Chemical Inventory Specialist, and of other shipments

Supervisory and Safety

• Supervise one full time staff position. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training, disciplining, and conducting performance reviews. Approve leave requests.
• Work closely with the WVU Office of Student Employment to recruit/advertise for work study/hourly student workers prior to the start of the academic year. Meet all deadlines for hiring and processing the requisite paperwork. Perform student evaluations during the fall and spring semesters.
• Properly train and supervise staff and student workers regarding handling, dispensing, storage, and transport of Chemicals to ensure the employees' safety in the preparation room and laboratory areas.
• Supervise the safety responsibilities and teaching methods of approximately 20 Teaching Assistants per semester (30 in-person laboratory sections with more than 800 undergraduates enrolled per semester).
• Monitor student and Teaching Assistant activities during each laboratory session to ensure compliance with all applicable safety rules and regulations. Work with faculty coordinating Introductory Chemistry Laboratories to address problems or issues of concern with the Associate Chairs for Graduate and Undergraduate Studies and/or the Department Chairperson as appropriate.
• Attend professional development events designed for supervisors.

Chemical Management and Hazardous Chemical Waste

• Oversee the storage of chemicals in the General Chemistry Prep Room according to OSHA regulations. Many of the chemicals are toxic, flammable, corrosive, carcinogenic, and/or pyrophoric and hence must be handled with care. Knowledge of proper safety practices is essential.
• Be familiar with the standard operating procedures of handling chemicals and exercise good practices in their storage and usage.
• Oversee the hazardous waste labelling, collection, storage, inventory, and disposal.
• Assure that all hazardous waste collections and requests for disposal are in compliance with EHS, state, and federal disposal rules and regulations.
• Follow appropriate federal, state, University, and departmental safety rules and regulations on a daily basis.

Other Duties

• Remain knowledgeable and be able to perform the duties of other staff members, in the case of vacation leave, illness, position vacancy, or emergency.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

• Bachelor's degree.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience involving experience with federal safety rules and regulations and standards regarding chemical procurement, handling, storage, and waste disposal.
• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered.
• All qualifications must be met at the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of chemical and physical principles especially in Organic and Analytical Chemistries.
• Knowledge of laboratory techniques, equipment, and terminology used in chemistry, including ability to operate such equipment.
• Ability to organize academic laboratories and to maintain good housekeeping in assigned areas of Clark Hall and the Chemistry Research Laboratory Building (CRL).
• Mathematical skills to perform calculations.
• Demonstrated ability to perform financial calculations, collect and analyze data, prepare relevant financial reports, and make recommendations.
• Knowledge of principles of fiscal record keeping and excellent financial transactions skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to file and retrieve information quickly and accurately upon request.
• Ability to understand and follow written work assignments.
• Ability to adhere to all pertinent safety rules and regulations as established by the department, University, State and Federal government.
• Ability to handle numerous tasks simultaneously and efficiently.
• Ability to assist with the unloading and transportation of chemicals and equipment shipments.
• Ability to clean and maintain laboratory glassware, instruments, and equipment.
• Ability to work independently as required to balance workload to meet all deadlines.
• Ability to supervise student laboratory assignments.
• Ability to 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.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to function as a team player.
• Must possess good organizational skills and be able to handle numerous tasks simultaneously and efficiently to provide the department with quality, timely work products.
• Ability to use a personal computer and software that is used within the department, college, and University.
• Ability to maintain proper unit attendance and punctuality standards.
• Ability to stoop, bend, lift, push, carry, walk, reach, stand, and sit for extended periods of time.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree.
• Laboratory management.
• Supervisory responsibilities.
• Hazardous materials management.
• Purchasing and tracking inventory.
• Computer experience.

Licenses/Certifications

• Obtain First aid/CPR training within three months of hire and maintain certification as required by WVU EHS for staff overseeing the delivery of academic laboratories in the Department of Chemistry.
• Obtain DOT-IATA hazardous materials shipper's certifications within six months of hire and maintain certification as required during employment to ship chemicals and chemistry research products in accordance with federal law.

Physical Demands & Physical Coordination

The employee 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. The employee must be able to operate a personal computer. Mobility is important in this position as this person must be capable of traversing two large buildings (comprising 12 floors) on a daily basis in the performance of job duties. Incumbent must be able to stoop, pend, push, carry, lift, walk, reach, stand, and sit for extended periods of time. Employee must unload chemicals and equipment and transport them to their proper location within the department (i.e. heavy solvent drums that weigh approximately 250 pounds).

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 received 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.