Science Technical Services Laboratory Manager

Saint Martin's University is more than just a place of learning-it's a welcoming community where students, faculty, and staff come together with purpose and heart. Founded in 1895 by the Benedictine monks of Saint Martin's Abbey, we are grounded in the timeless Benedictine values of community, hospitality, and balance. These values, combined with a Saint Martin's liberal arts education, shape our approach to education and daily life, encouraging students to think deeply, act with compassion, and serve with purpose.

As part of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, we honor the integration of faith and reason, the dignity of every person, and a shared responsibility for the common good. Our mission is to form graduates who are not only intellectually curious and ethically grounded, but also deeply committed to building a more just and equitable world. At Saint Martin's, we care about the whole person.

Our supportive campus culture is built to help students thrive-academically, personally, and professionally. We pay special attention to the needs of those who have been historically underserved, and we work intentionally to create an inclusive, respectful, and compassionate environment for all.

We warmly invite mission-driven individuals to join our community-not just to work here, but to be part of something meaningful. Together, we educate students who go on to make a positive difference in their lives, their communities, and the world.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Science Technical Services Laboratory Manager is responsible for the laboratory facilities and operations within the Department of Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics). This position serves as the Chemical Hygiene Officer for the Department of Natural Sciences. Major functions of the position include daily operations, materials and equipment management, safety and maintenance, waste management, and supervision of work-study students.

Laboratory Operations:

• Oversees the day-to-day operations of all laboratory-related programs and activities of the Department of Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics-laboratories, stockrooms, and storage and preparation areas).
• Prepares materials and equipment for lab classes in coordination with the responsible faculty members. Prepares chemical solutions, biological cultures, media and reagents using proper laboratory protocols and safety guidelines.
• Delivers and sets up equipment and supplies for each scheduled experiment. Upon completion of an experiment, removes equipment, supplies, wastes, etc. in a timely manner.
• Constructs special equipment as needed for assigned experiments.
• Cleans and stores equipment and supplies following their removal from an operating laboratory setting.
• Collaborates with departmental faculty to create and maintains handouts to facilitate appropriate use of laboratory materials, equipment and instruments.
• Maintains an adequate program of labeling and signage for all materials and for all rooms involved in the program.

Procurement/Inventory:

• In consultation with the department chair and faculty, seeks bids for proposed purchases, procures, receives and inventories all chemicals, materials, apparatus and equipment required for the operation of the departmental laboratories.
• Orders and receives supplies, equipment and materials.
• Maintains current inventories of chemicals and equipment within the department.
• Maintains purchasing and financial records, and assists the department chair in budget management.

Hazardous Waste & Materials Management:

• Operates an on-going program of record-keeping, collection, isolation, storage, treatment and handling, and proper disposal of hazardous and other wastes generated by laboratory operations within the department.
• Ensures compliance with relevant regulations of local, state and federal regulatory agencies (e.g., Ecology, Labor and Industries, OSHA).
• Arranges for proper transport and disposal of wastes on a timely basis, utilizing Hazo-House or other suitable entities.

Safety:

• Performs daily checks of all areas for safety hazards and corrects them. Ensures safety equipment such as spill kits, goggles, fire extinguishers, etc. is available and in good operating condition.
• Maintains a current and accessible file of MSDS information.
• Maintains a signage program to display information about possible chemical/environmental hazards within relevant rooms and laboratories.
• Works with department chair and faculty to designs and coordinates student and faculty educational programs dealing with lab safety.
• Follows up on regular inspections by the Lacey FD Fire Marshal.
• Monitors all facets of the "hazardous waste" issue within the department. Serves on the University Safety Committee.

Work-Study Supervision & Training:

• Recruits, hires, trains, and supervises work-study students allotted to the department

Maintenance:

• Cleans and repairs scientific equipment and apparatus after use and before storage.
• Maintains a file of operating manuals for all equipment and instrumentation.
• Schedules and coordinates major repairs and maintenance contracts, including regular servicing/maintenance for cold room, autoclaves, compressor, etc.
• Organizes stockrooms and maintains a stock of replacement parts for frequently needed items.
• Writes work orders and consults with SMU maintenance personnel on an as-needed basis.

Liaison/Other Duties:

• Works with other SMU offices on behalf of the department and its needs (e.g., purchasing, inventory, maintenance, etc.).
• Schedules time, needs, and work-flows to ensure all aspects of the laboratory program are met in a timely manner.
• Ensures free flow of equipment and supplies within various areas of the department to maximize the use of all departmental resources.

COMPETENCIES

• Have the knowledge and ability to prepare necessary materials for laboratory experiments including, but not limited to, chemical solutions of specified composition, concentration and quantity, biological materials and organisms, electrical and/or mechanical set-up as specified and/or requested by a departmental faculty member.
• Know and have the capacity to follow organizational schemes and semester-long schedules in order to effectively and efficiently carry out and monitor the preparation, distribution, set-up/knock-down of scientific materials and apparatus in the departmental setting.
• Be able to communicate effectively with the department chair and faculty to facilitate the planning and implementation of an effective and efficient program of laboratory support for the mission of the department, college and university.
• Have the capacity to learn and effectively use all equipment and apparatus associated with the safe conduct of departmental laboratory operations, based on oral input and written materials.
• Accomplish tasks within prescribed deadlines and effectively articulate concerns and possible alternatives and/or solutions, when deadlines may not be met.
• Demonstrate strong attention to detail by ensuring lab set-ups are accurate and delivered in a timely manner.
• Accept personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of his/her work. Can be relied upon to achieve excellent results with little need for constant oversight.
• Be able to prepare reports articulating the successes, challenges, and appropriate needs arising from the operation of the departmental laboratory program.
• Conduct laboratory operations in an efficient and economical manner and be a good steward of the departmental assets and resources.
• Be able to work quickly and effectively within a diverse group of people with diverse demands and expectations to best meet the overall departmental mission.
• Set priorities and coordinate tasks in multiple areas and responsibilities on a regular basis.
• Demonstrate strong multicultural knowledge, awareness, and skills needed to perform the tasks of promoting diversity and social justice.
• Knowledge of best practices related to supporting diverse student population, including students of color, students of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, first generation students, students with disabilities, and other historically marginalized identities.
• Is supportive of a Catholic, Benedictine philosophy of education and able to articulate and support the University's mission statement.

REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Bachelor's degree in Natural Sciences required.
• Certified Chemical Hygiene Officer or achieve certification within 18 months of hire.
• Successfully pass a background check.
• Possess certification in First Aid and CPR or the ability to obtain certification within 30 days of employment.
• Minimum one year's experience working in a laboratory support area (additional education and/or training may substitute for work experience).
• Experience working with a computerized inventory control system.
• Ability to work irregular schedule due to labs that begin early in the morning or as late in the evening as 9pm. Work hours will be adjusted to fit lab schedules.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a standard office & laboratory environment. Physical demands include:

• Safely handling hazardous and potentially hazardous materials.
• Moving objects (less than 50 pounds) long distances (more than 20 feet).
• Lifting light objects (less than 20 pounds) above shoulder level.
• Moving quickly about campus wide for appropriate business needs.
• Reading, writing, speaking, hearing, standing, bending, sitting, raising arms above shoulder level.
• Comprehending, learning from, and properly applying oral instructions and visual material.
• Concentrating closely on visual detail.
• Using manual dexterity and precision for multiple functions, especially manipulation of small objects.
• Concentrating on details, process complex information, and complete required tasks despite frequent interruptions.
• Communicating effectively with people of all sorts and stations under stressful conditions.