PAY GRADE: 29E

DEADLINE: Open until Filled

CONTEXT OF JOB:

Under general direction, the Laboratory Coordinator manages Chemistry & Biochemistry Department teaching laboratory services. The laboratory services group consists of a laboratory coordinator and two senior laboratory technicians who prepare and dispense chemicals and laboratory supplies for use in the teaching laboratories, prepare for disposal the chemical waste generated in teaching laboratories, and prepare, maintain and deploy instrumentation used in the teaching laboratories. The Laboratory Coordinator manages and assists the activities of the two senior laboratory technicians to provide the required level of support across all Departmental teaching laboratories, which together service approximately 7,000 students per year.

The Laboratory Coordinator also provides direct oversight of some Departmental teaching laboratories. In this capacity, the Laboratory Coordinator assists the course instructors of record by helping to design and implement laboratory curricula, mentoring graduate and undergraduate teaching assistants, and ensuring safe practices in the teaching laboratories. The level of responsibility is anticipated to be on the order of 10 teaching assistants and 300 students per year spread across both introductory and advanced courses. As such, the Laboratory Coordinator must be able to work independently to integrate knowledge of advanced chemistry and technology in several areas with hands-on use and management of people as well as complex materials and instrumentation in an educational laboratory setting.

The Laboratory Coordinator must be able to exercise good judgment on how best to provide the necessary support services and oversight of teaching laboratories, which includes active monitoring of instruction and activities in the labs to ensure smooth and safe operation. When problems or questions arise in the labs, a response may be required at any time, and the Laboratory Coordinator must therefore be flexible to address these issues.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manages the activities of two senior laboratory technicians to provide the required level of support across all teaching laboratories.

• Develops, tests, troubleshoots and modifies laboratory experiments.

• Trains and supervises teaching assistants (TAs) including safety matters, proper use of instruments and glassware and in appropriate handling and disposal of chemicals. Evaluates performance of TAs

• Conducts orientation and "Right to Know" training of new graduate teaching assistants assigned to teaching laboratories.

• Conducts weekly TA meetings to discuss details of experiments and their hazards.

• Monitors laboratory instruction via frequent visitation of ongoing laboratories to ensure smooth, safe operation and to implement corrective action when needed.

• Oversees use and proper disposal for all solutions, chemicals, and materials used in laboratory exercises. Maintains safe/clean environment of teaching laboratories.

• Prepares chemicals and solutions according to precise specifications, constructs and demonstrates use of teaching apparatus.

• Maintains laboratory equipment, which may include troubleshooting and making minor repairs with or without departmental shop assistance; ensures equipment is in working order.

• Maintains and controls inventories; initiates orders; receives, checks and stocks all ordered supplies and/or parts and equipment. Coordinates with faculty and departmental shop staff to acquire needed equipment and supplies.

• Keeps records and writes reports as required.

• Responds to student inquiries.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry with 2-3 years' laboratory supervision experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Laboratory teaching experience is preferred.

• Experience with electronic media, devices and software commonly used in an educational setting.

• Effective oral and written communication skills.

• Knowledge of the safety hazards related to the specific discipline and how those hazards relate to toxicity and worker/student health and safety.

• Ability to develop appropriate safety policies for the facility/equipment users.

• Ability to read, understand, follow and enforce safety procedures specified by equipment/supply manufacturers.

• Proficient with chemical procedures and materials used in chemistry courses, including the ability to quantitatively prepare solutions.

• Familiarity with safe use of appropriate chemicals, supplies and equipment.

• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

• Ability to work effectively with faculty members and students.

• Ability to communicate effectively and interact well with people of all ages and diverse backgrounds.

• Ability to make independent decisions and judgments.

• Knowledge of instructional methods.

• Mechanical aptitude.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires dexterity in handling delicate and hazardous materials.

• Ability to accurately discern colors and accurately measure out laboratory materials.

• With or without assistance, must be able to routinely lift up to 50 pounds.

• May require a valid vehicle operator's license and occasional evening and/or weekend working hours on-campus.

• Frequently required to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to hazardous materials.

• Employment may be dependent upon passing a University-specified medical evaluation related to the use of respiratory protection equipment

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which encourages applications from Minority Group Members, Women, Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans. The University's Notice of Non-Discrimination can be found at http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html

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