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Title: Biology Lab Coordinator

VP Area: College of Arts and Sciences

Department: Biology

Work Schedule: Fixed daytime hours Monday-Friday

Telework Availability: On-campus Position

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employee Classification: Regular full-time (staff 30+ hours)

Hours per week: 40

Months per year: 12

Job Purpose:

The Lab Coordinator manages the implementation of 7-8 sections of a biology lab course each semester and supports the biology facilities associated with those labs (i.e., greenhouse and environmental growth chamber facilities). In the fall, the course is BIOL 205L Physiology & Biodiversity Lab, and in the spring it is BIOL 206L Ecology Lab. The Lab Coordinator ensures that the lab classroom is set up and prepared for each class meeting; this preparation involves -- but is not limited to -- preparing the necessary materials and supplies for the week's labs and designing, organizing, and distributing course materials to assigned lab instructors and students via the learning management system Canvas. The lab coordinator orders and maintains supplies, coordinates transportation to the field locations (e.g., two or three local field ecology trips in spring), manages lab budgets, and ensures lab and field safety. They hire, train, and manage undergraduate laboratory prep workers, teaching assistants, and students working in biology specific facilities that support learning and research (greenhouse, growth chambers). The lab coordinator teaches 3 sections of 205L in fall and 3 sections of 206L labs in spring. The Lab Coordinator position is a collaborative position that requires strong organizational skills, effective communication with students and faculty, and the ability to work both autonomously and as part of a team.

Lab Coordinators, in general, provide a variety of teaching, curriculum support, lab setup and maintenance duties in support of laboratory courses and overall student learning. Lab Coordinators work with a variety of faculty and department staff for the efficient, effective and safe functioning of all labs in the department. Lab Coordinates teach assigned lab sections.

Essential Functions:

• 50% - Teaching
  • Effectively teach assigned lab sections each semester.
  • Grade student assignments and labs in a timely and fair/equitable manner.
  • Provide office hours to students for additional guidance and assistance.
  • Troubleshoot teaching, materials, and curriculum as required.
  • Teach a wide range of lab topics, including lower and higher level ecology and organismal biology labs.
• 20% - Maintenance of Designated Labs
  • Ensure laboratory and field safety and compliance.
  • Prepare laboratory spaces and materials for class sections.
  • Maintain designated laboratory areas and inventory of supplies, materials, and equipment.
  • Order / purchase supplies, materials, and equipment.
  • Manage laboratory budgets, fiscal responsibility for labs, etc.
• 15% - Coordinate Curriculum & Lab Implementation
  • Coordinate multiple sections of labs, taught by one or more instructors, to include supplies, space reservation, etc.
  • Develop or assist in curriculum development.
  • Maintain and distribute course materials and documents via electronic and in-class methods.
  • Assist / coordinate in common or shared materials for all sections and instructors of the lab.
  • Facilitate field trips and field-based teaching experiences. 
• 15% - Direct Student Lab Employees 
  • Ensure team and operational effectiveness 
  • Develop and support inclusive environments

• Additional Duties as Assigned by the Department

Educational Requirement:

Master's Degree

Years of Related Experience Requirement:

<1 year

In lieu of the educational qualifications, candidates may qualify with equivalent professional experience at a ratio of one year of experience for each year of required education. 

Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge in ecology and organismal biology
Proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel, and Word
Proficient in English written and verbal communication skills
Excellent organizational skills
Demonstrated time management, punctuality, and priority setting skills
Strong attention to detail and accuracy

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience supervising student employees in a lab environment.
Experience with ordering materials, maintaining inventory, and monitoring budgets.
Experience teaching ecology and organismal biology.
Experience with curriculum design and development.

Physical & On-Campus Requirements:

In-Office Presence - Ability to work on-site in typical office setting and participate in in-person meetings with colleagues: 5 days/week

Standing/Sitting - Ability to remain in a stationary position for a prolonged period: Often (50%-75% of time)

Walking - Ability to move about on foot to accomplish tasks: Often (50%-75% of time)

Lifting/Carrying - Ability to move or transport objects up to a specified weight (e.g., 50 pounds): Rarely (1%-49% of time)

Attention to Detail - Ability to focus on detailed tasks for extended periods: Daily (>75% of time)

Problem-Solving - Ability to identify and resolve issues effectively: Often (50%-75% of time)

The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to offer for this position: $4040 / month

Pay Range:

Minimum Salary (Annualized 12 months and 40 hours/week): 48480

Midpoint Salary (Annualized 12 months and 40 hours/week): 60600

Maximum Salary (Annualized 12 months and 40 hours/week): 72720