Temporary Academic Lab Manager II - Department of Chemistry

Description

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 II.

About the Opportunity

Under the direction and supervision of the Program Administrator Senior, the Temporary Academic Lab Manager II 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 room and will assist faculty in the development and testing of new experiments.

Pay Grade: 16

Length of Assignment: Approximately 8.5 Month

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, labels containers, and deliver all chemicals and solutions prior to the beginning of each laboratory session.
• Manage the Chemistry Prep Room, 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 with the development and testing of new teaching lab experiments.
• Proactively and independently 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.
• Assist the general chemistry faculty with grading of unknowns, as requested.
• 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 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 Rooms according to OSHA regulations and their corresponding SDS documentation.
• Maintain a working inventory of chemicals and supplies needed for the Chemistry Prep Rooms and prepare new orders through Mountaineer Marketplace when necessary.
• Communicate with vendors to select appropriate supplies and equipment.
• 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 oversee demonstration events involving on-site participation during working hours, evenings or weekends, as needed.
• Participate on departmental committees, as requested.

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 collections and requests for disposal comply 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 ensure chemicals, solutions, and other hazardous materials are properly labelled.

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.
• 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.

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.
• Maintain a working inventory of chemicals and supplies in prep rooms, laboratories, and stockrooms, and oversee ordering of replenishments.
• Coordinate storage and/or removal of surplus equipment/instruments.
• Oversee gas cylinder inventory, track usage, and submit requests for refills.
• Serve as contact for symposia poster board reservations.

Other Duties

• 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.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 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, & Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of chemical and physical principles.
• Ability to pass First aid/CPR certifications within three months of employment.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hazardous material management experience.
• Supervisory experience.

Licenses/Certifications

• First aid/CPR certification or ability to be certified within three months of employment.
• DOT/IATA certification or ability to be certified within six months of employment.

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.