Temporary Academic Lab Manager - Department of Chemistry

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

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.

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 prepares 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 participates in routine summer and winter laboratory cleaning, as requested.
• Stock gloves, towels, and other items, as needed.
• Coordinate and oversee 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 ensures adherence to safety measures.
• Observe laboratory operations to ensure student compliance with safety regulations and report concerns and non-compliance to supervisor and faculty member in charge.
• Complete first-aid and CPR training and maintain certification to be prepared to administer first aid to students or employees.
• Inspect safety showers and eyewash stations four times per year, or as requested by the supervisor.
• Coordinate and participate in Graduate Teaching Assistant meetings to discuss upcoming experiments and special safety concerns.
• Train and cross-train with Chemistry Prep Laboratory Staff to remain knowledgeable about current best practices.

Hazardous Waste Collection and Disposal Responsibilities

• Determine preliminary hazard parameters for chemical waste, removes 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 request for disposal are in compliance with EH&S and federal disposal rules and regulations.
• Complete the mandatory EHS hazardous waste training annually.
• Complete weekly Resource Conservation and Recovery Act's (RCRA) 90-day Waste Container Checklists.
• Oversee laboratory clean-outs and ensures chemicals, solutions, and other hazardous materials are properly labelled.

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, communicates inventory levels and requests ordering of replenishments.
• Receive glassware and supplies inventory and replenish the stockroom inventory.
• Coordinate storage and/or removal of surplus equipment/instruments.
• Oversee gas cylinder inventory, liquid nitrogen tank levels, track usage, submit requests for refills, and perform yearly audits with Airgas and WVU Purchasing.
• Assist in completing a bi-annual inventory of major assets in collaboration with WVU Inventory Management.
• Serve as contact for symposia poster board reservations.
• 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.
• Respond to questions from students and assist in providing optimal solutions.
• Collaborate with faculty on complex teaching laboratory development by pre-running proposed experiments online to determine efficacy, and time limits needed to perform new experiments. Provide detailed evaluations to the faculty and participates in strategic planning sessions for future laboratory development.
• E-Campus support for Chemistry online laboratories.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Remain knowledgeable and able to perform other staff members' duties, in the case of vacation leave, illness, position vacancy, or emergency.
• Escort departmental personnel to obtain bulk solvents.
• Communicate with vendors to select appropriate supplies and equipment.
• Prepare the shipment of laboratory samples and schedule of pick-ups.
• Oversee the department's receipt of shipments daily. Accept custody of shipments of chemicals and equipment (e.g. via UPS, Yellow Freight, etc.) by signing the waybills, properly storing items, and contacting the proper person for pick-up in a timely manner. Transport the items to the appropriate destinations, when needed.
• Attain and maintain DOT-IATA certification and serve as a member of the departmental hazardous materials shipping team.
• Assist graduate students and faculty with requests for materials, research projects, or community outreach events.
• Transport departmental furniture and equipment as requested by the supervisor.
• Assist in the transport of 55-gallon and 20-liter drums of solvents using a dolly.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Pay Grade: 19

Length of Assignment: Approximately 3 Months

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry or related science field required.
• 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 regulations.
• Ability to function cooperatively in a team environment.
• Ability to maintain proper unit attendance and punctuality standards.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Licenses/Certifications

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

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.

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West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.