Director, Science Lab

Salary: $60,067.00 Annually

Location : Pueblo, CO

Job Type: Administrative, Professional and Technical

Job Number: 201280-0623

Division: Arts & Sciences

Department: Science

Opening Date: 06/27/2023

Closing Date: Continuous

Description
**Please Note: Pueblo Community College is not able to provide sponsorship for applicants who do not currently have the legal right to work in the United States or require transfer of a Visa

**NOTE: **Must be a resident of the State of Colorado or able to relocate to Colorado prior to first date of employment.**

Pueblo Community College Statement:

Pueblo Community College (PCC) believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. PCC is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. We seek leaders committed to these same ideals.

Pueblo Community College embraces continuous improvement and has adopted it as its culture and as a necessary part of every job description. Our job descriptions incorporate and utilize the principles and tools of continuous improvement found in the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Open Pathways model. The Open Pathways is unique in that its improvement component, the Quality Initiative, affords institutions the opportunity to pursue improvement projects that meet their current needs and aspirations.

Department/Division Purpose (brief description of main function):

The Natural Sciences Department exists to provide exceptional academic programming in both lecture and lab formats. This department supports students entering STEM fields as well as health programs.

Job Summary Statement (brief summary of overall responsibility of position):

This position specifically exists to: Provide leadership and administration to the department by supporting science faculty and staff in preparing and offering laboratory experiences to students by ordering, preparing, and maintaining lab supplies and equipment, disposing of waste, overseeing departmental safety and training, ordering lab kits, teaching science courses, supervising work-study students, and serving as the Chemical Hygiene Officer for science programs and laboratories. Provides support to other staff members and programs such as STEM, HALC, or TRIO regarding any scientific related outreach/recruitment opportunities at the Pueblo and Branch Campuses. Promotes excellence in department programs at Pueblo Community College, while supporting and encouraging the college’s Mission, Vision and Values. Become an important part of a diverse and dynamic team of professionals, and educators. Support science faculty and staff in preparing and offering laboratory experiences to students by ordering, preparing, and maintaining lab supplies and equipment, disposing of waste, overseeing departmental safety and training, ordering lab kits, teaching science courses, supervising work-study students, and serving as the Chemical Hygiene Officer for science and other college programs and laboratories.

This position has been identified by Pueblo Community College as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Department of Education guidelines. As a Campus Security Authority, the incumbent in this position is required to report crimes that they become aware of to the Department of Public Safety at Pueblo Community College and must attend and complete annual training related to these responsibilities.”
Job Duties
Essential Duties:

• Prepares materials for all scheduled Pueblo campus lab activities by keeping updated inventories, conferring with instructors, monitoring the course schedule, and referring to lab manuals. Preparations include mixing solutions, dispensing reagents, and culturing organisms. Prepares schedules for the laboratory use from other programs/departments. Coordinates departmental, program, and individual meetings with department faculty and instructional staff on a regular basis. Consults regularly with appropriate branch campus staff at all locations on their lab materials preparations, safety protocols, and course development. Consults with faculty in developing lab experiences and provides expertise to students in the learning lab environment. Uses professional knowledge to troubleshoot or respond to student needs.
• Performs administrative duties including scheduling appointments for academic advisors, answering and responding to student phone calls, assisting students with course registration. Communicates with students and the public promoting the Science Department and other programs during PCC-sponsored activities. Provide or coordinate laboratory tours to prospective students and staff.
• Ensures lab safety and security:
  • Serves as the Chemical Hygiene Officer for all PCC science laboratories.
  • Provides annual Safety Trainings to appropriate personnel at Pueblo and Branch locations
  • Responds swiftly to all lab safety, training, equipment, and chemical storage/use issues and elevates urgent concerns to the Department Chair, Division Dean, and Public Safety as needed.
  • Stores all chemicals appropriately, labels all containers per best practices, and maintains required Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
  • Maintains and posts current and complete inventory lists of all lab chemicals at each lab doorway for immediate inspection by emergency responders.
  • Conducts safety inspections and audits of all labs before the start of all semesters (Fall, Spring, and Summer), including status of fire extinguishers, wash stations, storage carts, first-aid kits, spill kits, fire blankets, waste receptacles, and so on.
  • Continuously maintains a safety-training log for all lab students and all new staff, and ensures that the log is available for review by the Science Department Chair and Division Dean.
  • Ensures that fume hoods are in working order and are not used to store inappropriate materials
  • Disposes of spent or defunct equipment in accordance with state procedures
  • Ensures that safety protocols/procedures remain current and accurate and are properly communicated to personnel.
  • Proactively coordinates meetings with Public Safety to review, implement, and revise the Chemical Hygiene Plan.
  • Serves as a Safety Proctor for PCC and keeps up to date with any trainings that are provided by Public Safety to coordinate appropriate care for staff and students on campus.
  • Delegate responsibility of safety practices as appropriate and necessary to the department, and programs.
  • Consults regularly with staff at branch campuses and sites to ensure that they also perform all of the above safety and security duties at their locations and guides them in responding to any needs or concerns.
• Tracks inventory, future course schedules, new course development, and enrollment forecasts to anticipate needs and order lab supplies and equipment for Pueblo campus labs according to PCC purchasing procedures. Works with lab kit providers and PCC bookstore staff to coordinate and submit orders for home lab kits for students in PCC Online science lab courses. Consults regularly with appropriate branch campus staff on their supply and equipment orders to ensure they have the adequate resources, and are able to meet safety protocols with student demands. Using their expertise, identifies and recommends needed equipment and supplies, determines when lab equipment needs repair or replacement, and ensure lab experiences are current and in alignment with course curriculum. Maintains and repairs instruments, particularly microscopes, by personally repairing the instrument, contracting with specialists, or following up on warranties. Coordinates inspections and maintenance on larger equipment such as fume hood(s), autoclave, etc.
• Teaches up to 5 credits of Biology or Chemistry lectures/labs per semester (Fall, Spring, and Summer).
• Maintains Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all lab functions, including for safety, training, inspection, ordering, maintenance, storage, and so on. Troubleshoots problem procedures, and corrects SOPs and lab manuals as needed. Ensures that SOPs are available for review by the Science Department Chair and Division Dean. Consults regularly with appropriate staff at branch campuses and sites to ensure that they understand and follow all lab SOPs. Creates, revises and implements any new and/or existing procedures.
• Recruits and selects work-study candidates promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Trains and supervises work-study students who support the Pueblo campus labs and science instructors.
• Approves timesheets, and submits required paperwork such as semester evaluations and position requests.
• Tracks department budget and collected lab fees in BANNER system and issues monthly statements to department chair. Projects budget for current year in order to conserve for year-end expenses. Projects costs for the coming year in order to formulate funding requests. Consults regularly with appropriate staff at branch campuses and sites to track their budgets and collected lab fees.
• Tests new lab activities, videos, and resources for possible inclusion in lab curricula. Consults regularly with appropriate staff at branch campuses and sites to keep lab curricula consistent.
• Ensures that science lab rooms as well as plant and animal environments are regularly cleaned and appropriately stocked, and that plants and animals are well cared for year-round.

Non-Essential Functions:

• Collaborates with faculty on securing grant funding
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a science discipline from a regionally accredited college or university
• 18 graduate credit hours in Biology orChemistry from a regionally accreditedcollege or university

Licenses or Certificates:

• None

Experience:

• College teaching experience
• Experience working in a lab setting

Special knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of SDS sheets and proper chemical disposal procedures

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Masters of Science degree in Biology or Chemistry or Biochemistry or Microbiology from a regionally accredited college or university

Licenses or Certificates:

• CCHO – Certified Chemical Hygiene Officer

Experience:

• Experience teaching college Biology or Chemistry
• Lab management experience
• Experience as a safety trainer
• Supervisory experience
• Experience with budget oversight

Special knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of BANNER software

Benefits
Your total compensation goes well beyond the number on your paycheck. Pueblo Community College provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

While many of our benefits are listed here, eligibility for these benefits vary and may be based on hours worked and position.

Pueblo Community College, as a member of the Colorado Community College System, offers a wide variety of comprehensive and rich benefit programs. Some benefits offered are:
Health Benefits
– Medical

– Dental

– Vision

Retirement Savings

– Employer Sponsored Plans
– Individual Supplemental Plans

Flexible Spending Accounts

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Life Insurance
Disability Coverage
Annual and Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

More detailed information on the benefits we offer are available on our

01

I am able to work without sponsorship or transfer of a Visa.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have at least a Bachelor’s Degree in a science discipline from a regionally accredited college or university?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have at least 18 graduate credit hours in Biology or Chemistry from a regionally accredited college or university?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have college teaching experience?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have experience working in a lab setting?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have knowledge of SDS sheets and proper chemical disposal procedures?

• Yes
• No

Required Question