Location: Spokane,WA, USA
Position Summary
The Chemistry Lab Coordinator at Whitworth University ensures the smooth operation of introductory and organic chemistry labs by organizing lab preparations and overseeing student employees. This role involves training and supporting student employees, ensuring their safety, and maintaining clear communication with instructors and lab staff. Additionally, the coordinator manages lab equipment, chemicals, and supplies to support efficient lab operations.
Core Responsibilities
Lab Materials, Chemical, and Equipment | 35%
* Collaborate with Chemistry Lab Manager to determine and execute proper preparation and labeling of solutions used in teaching laboratories and lecture demonstrations. Ensure that appropriate procedures are followed.
* Setup and take down equipment and supply for laboratory instruction.
* Train solution prep student workers to safely and properly wash dishes and prepare materials and chemical substances for the chemistry labs.
* Monitor the supply of chemicals available for lecture/lab demos and restock as necessary.
* Deliver full waste containers to designated waste areas for pickup by the waste management team.
Supervise and Support Chemistry Lab Student Workers |25%
* Assist Chemistry Lab Manager in training and supervision of chemistry student workers.
* Maintain a familiarity with introductory and organic chemistry laboratory course procedures and experiments to direct the accurate set up of labs.
* Delegate tasks on a weekly or as-needed basis to student workers that best suits their position, skills, and time slot in the lab schedule.
Standard Operating Procedures | 20%
* Oversee standard operating procedures for lab setup and chemical preparations for introductory and organic chemistry laboratories.
* Consult with Instructors, Faculty Lab Organizers, and written procedures to determine chemical and supply needs for the chemistry labs and demonstrations.
* Prepare written standard operating procedures for the lab setup and chemical preparations for the chemistry labs and demonstrations.
* Consult with Instructors, Faculty Lab Organizers, the Hazardous Waste and Academic Safety Manager and the Chemistry Lab Manager on facets of the laboratory procedures that warrant change to improve the efficiency, environmental responsibility, and students experience in the Whitworth chemistry labs.
Lab Operations | 10%
* Organize and maintain the chemicals, equipment, and consumable supplies for the organic chemistry labs or any other lab that the lab manager needs.
* Maintain and organize chemistry stockroom equipment and supplies.
* Assist faculty in maintaining equipment in proper working condition.
* Ensure the functionality and cleanliness of glassware and equipment to be used for labs, such as filter flasks, glass columns, pH probes, thermometers, sensors, etc.
* Assist the Chemistry Lab manager in the operation and enforcement of the check-in and check-out procedures for chemistry lab student drawers and equipment. Assign lab drawers, equipment sheets, and lock combinations. Maintain prices and collect replacement fees for lost or broken items. Prepare deposits for the cashier's office.
* Monitor the levels of consumable supplies (paper towels, lab soap, gloves, etc.) in the chemistry teaching laboratories and restock items as needed.
* Maintain order and cleanliness in the teaching lab spaces.
* Maintain current chemical inventory, barcode incoming substances and remove entries for expended substances
Other | 10%
* Consult with instructors to determine their supply needs for January term courses.
* Help setup materials in the classroom for January term courses.
* Fill in or proctor exams for instructors in the lab and/or classroom.
Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities
Education and Experience
* Associate's degree. Whitworth considers candidates with a wide range of educational backgrounds. We value the skills and knowledge candidates bring to Whitworth, regardless of the paths they have taken to acquire them.
* Work experience that matches the responsibilities of the position.
* University experience desirable.
Whitworth Values
* A personal commitment to the Christian faith and to the integration of faith and learning.
* Demonstrated growth in cultural competence, awareness of societal and structural inequities, and proven experience in effectively establishing relationships and positive communications with students and other constituents across multiple dimensions of diversity including, but not limited to, race, gender, varying abilities, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, class or religious perspectives.
* A commitment to the educational mission of Whitworth University as a comprehensive Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church.
Skills and Abilities
* Expertise in preparing chemicals, materials, and equipment for lab instruction.
* Ability to safely handle and label chemical solutions following proper procedures.
* Knowledge of hazardous waste disposal and lab safety protocols.
* Ability to ensure all safety procedures are followed during lab setup and chemical handling.
* Strong verbal and written communication skills for interacting with instructors, lab staff, and students.
* Ability to collaborate with faculty and other lab personnel to ensure labs meet instructional needs.
* Ability to delegate tasks efficiently based on student worker skills and availability.
* Skills in organizing and maintaining lab equipment and consumable supplies.
Preferred
* Bachelor's degree in chemistry or a closely related field.
* One year of work experience in a chemical stockroom or laboratory.
* Basic knowledge of scientific instruments and equipment maintenance.
* Ability to use collaborative programs such as Microsoft Teams and One Drive
Other Details
Schedule
Full-time (.75 FTE) | 9 months | 40 hours per week | Whitworth office hours are 8 AM to 4:30 PM Monday - Friday
The work schedule spans from the last week of August to the third week of May. The last working day in 2025 will be May 23, 2025.
This is an ongoing position with benefits continuing during non-working months.
Occasional availability to work outside standard office hours is required.
Whitworth University is a Christian liberal arts university. Our shared mission is to provide our diverse students with an education of mind and heart, equipping them to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity. We seek candidates who are willing to engage with the university's mission and integrate their Christian faith into their work.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, faith statement, and contact information for at least three professional references. A background check and sexual misconduct check will be required of the successful candidate.