Lab Coordinator - Engineering

Penn State University • University Park, IL

7d • $59,580 - $94,980 • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering seeks a Lab Coordinator - Engineering to coordinate the operational activities of research and instructional laboratories. This position ensures laboratory safety, readiness, efficiency, equipment availability, and compliance while providing technical and operational support to faculty, researchers, staff, and students. The position also serves as the department’s primary purchaser and purchasing initiator for teaching and research laboratory needs, including equipment, supplies, services, repairs, and related procurements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Bachelor's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

• Four to seven years of experience coordinating engineering, research, instructional, or specialized laboratory operations.
• Experience with laboratory safety programs, inspections, chemical and compressed-gas inventories, incident documentation, or environmental health and safety practices.
• Experience with laboratory equipment procurement, installation, calibration, maintenance, repair, and asset/inventory management.
• Experience with purchasing processes, invoice validation, vendor coordination, and budget monitoring.
• Experience supporting laboratories, instructional spaces, or research facilities.
• Ability to coordinate laboratory operations, equipment, supplies, maintenance, safety activities, and related documentation.
• Ability to interpret and follow institutional policies, safety requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize varied responsibilities, and collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, vendors, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate laboratory scheduling, preparation, setup, teardown, equipment availability, and general readiness for teaching and research activities.
• Support faculty, researchers, staff, and students in planning and conducting laboratory experiments, demonstrations, and testing; provide guidance on laboratory procedures, equipment capabilities, technical requirements, and appropriate supplies.
• Serve as the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering laboratory safety officer at ECoRE and coordinate departmental laboratory safety activities.
• Ensure laboratory operations, equipment, and procedures comply with Penn State policies and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Coordinate annual laboratory self-inspections and Penn State Environmental Health and Safety inspections; track corrective actions and maintain safety plans, records, training documentation, chemical and compressed-gas inventories, and other required documentation.
• Assist with the investigation and documentation of laboratory accidents, injuries, and safety concerns, and coordinate appropriate corrective actions.
• Promote safe laboratory practices, environmental awareness, waste reduction, and recycling.
• Serve as the department’s facilities representative for research and teaching laboratories, classrooms, computer laboratories, offices, administrative spaces, and designated student areas.
• Coordinate facility repairs, maintenance, renovations, upgrades, and other facilities-related requests; communicate with stakeholders regarding project status and completion.
• Coordinate tours of departmental facilities for faculty candidates, prospective students and families, alumni, advisory council members, accreditation teams, contractors, architects, and other visitors as needed.
• Coordinate the acquisition, installation, maintenance, repair, calibration, storage, and disposition of laboratory equipment and apparatus.
• Develop equipment specifications, obtain information from manufacturers and vendors, troubleshoot equipment issues, and coordinate preventive maintenance, calibration, and technical services.
• Maintain accurate records for laboratory operations, including equipment and property inventories, supplies, maintenance and repair activities, safety training and inspections, purchasing activity, and laboratory documentation.
• Monitor laboratory supply inventories and coordinate replenishment to support scheduled instructional and research activities.
• Initiate and process purchasing transactions in accordance with University policies; obtain quotes and competitive pricing, monitor orders and deliveries, resolve purchasing and vendor issues, and review invoices and supporting documentation.
• Compile information and prepare reports related to laboratory operations, expenditures, equipment, safety, facilities, and administrative activities.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Robust retirement plans
• Substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time
• 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior