Biology Laboratory Coordinator

Responsible for general coordination and day-to-day functions for instructional laboratories in the department. Responsible for requisition and procurement of laboratory equipment, materials, and supplies. Coordinates preparation, distribution, storage, maintenance, and inventory of instructional equipment, supplies, and materials in laboratory and storage areas. Coordinates disposal of hazardous wastes per OSHA laboratory standards. Assists with preparation and distribution of supplies and materials for instructional labs. Provides support and guidance for laboratory technician. Provides technical and safety support and facilitates safety training for laboratory technicians and faculty.

Applications received by May 1st will receive priority consideration; however, the position will remain open until filled.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for identification, acquisition, storage, inventory, and preparation of supplies and equipment required for all instructional laboratories in the department. Ensures supplies and equipment are accurately prepared and readily available for individual labs as scheduled by the department. Communicates with department chair and/or faculty if supplies are backordered/unavailable and problem solves to ensure requested items or acceptable substitutes are available so there is no disruption to lab curricula or instruction.
• Responsible for providing technical laboratory and safety support to faculty for all laboratory exercises. Collaborates with course instructors to monitor any changes to laboratory protocols to assure that laboratory needs are met. Assists in problem solving of laboratory experiments, equipment, instruments and takes corrective action.
• Responsible for the requisition of all department supplies, equipment, instrumentation, and lap top computers, including acquiring bids, quotes, vetting vendors, and initiating, tracking monthly and closing purchase orders in accordance with college policy, including working knowledge of the Illinois Public Higher Education Consortium. Monitors department budget and maintains budget records including categorizing all expenses. Communicates with department chair and/or faculty if price increases are prohibitive and problem solves, suggests acceptable substitutes, and ensures supplies are available so there is no disruption to lab curricula or instruction.
• Coordinates and assists with maintenance and inventory of all department supplies, equipment, instrumentation, and laptop computers. Identifies the need for new and replacement supplies and equipment in conjunction with department chair and laboratory technician.
• Coordinates and assists with maintenance of laboratories, stockrooms, preparation rooms, storage rooms, the cadaver room, and instrumentation rooms. Ensures laboratories and storage areas are in orderly and neat condition and supplies and equipment are properly cleaned and stored. Coordinates care and performs routine maintenance of all department laboratory equipment and instruments.
• Guides day-to-day activities of laboratory technician.
• Meets regularly with the department chair and laboratory technician to collaboratively discuss workflow, troubleshoot issues, and assess department laboratory needs.
• Monitors facilities and utilities such as de-ionized water, plumbing, compressed air, natural gas, electricity, and ventilation. Communicates all facilities, utilities, and custodial issues through proper channels and to all appropriate parties.
• Responds to unexpected situations and contacts the appropriate personnel.
• Serves as department lab safety coordinator for the Chemical Hygiene Plan. Maintains and updates chemical hygiene safety equipment and SDS manuals. Responsible for safe disposal of hazardous waste according to OSHA laboratory standards. Implements control measures that will be used to reduce employee exposure including engineering controls, the use of personal protective equipment, and hygiene practices.
• Facilitates safety training for department faculty and staff. Maintains safety training records. Monitors and maintains records of health and safety issues in the laboratories in accordance with CHP and college policy.
• Represents the department as a member of the Harper Laboratory Safety committee.
• Coordinates the hiring, assignment and day to day activities of the Biology student aides.
• Coordinates care for all living - organisms in the department, including purchasing of feeding supplies. Coordinates the contract for natural area maintenance.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

Works primarily indoors, but some outdoor work is required for maintenance of natural areas.

Works with hazardous chemicals and live or preserved organisms. Work involves moving throughout the laboratories in an area with an outside perimeter of nearly an eighth of a mile and occasionally climbing ladders. Work may also involve heavy lifting of carboys up to 40lbs.

Supervision:

Under the general supervision of the Dean of Mathematics and Science Division. Receives day to day direction from the Department Chair. Performs routine duties without receiving instruction. Receives instructions as needed for specific assignments.

Certificates and Training to be obtained in the course of employment

Complete required Laboratory Safety Training

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Biology required, with in-depth knowledge of a variety of plant and animal life forms. Masters degree preferred.

Experience: Two years minimum of applied laboratory experience preferred. Working knowledge of the functioning of a diverse biological laboratory. Laboratory managerial experience involving accounting and budgeting is desired. Working knowledge of Microsoft office.