Nature Lab Coordinator

Rhode Island School of Design•Providence, RI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a part-time Nature Lab Coordinator to support front-line operations during evening and weekend hours. The Nature Lab enables students to explore ethical and sustainable modes of making informed by natural systems and to better understand humanity’s role in the ecosystem. The Coordinator facilitates access to the Main Collection (Room 22) for the RISD community and the public, supporting class reservations and individual visits, responding to access requests and inquiries, training and overseeing student employees, tracking data and preparing annual reports, maintaining Lab spaces, and assisting with care of living organisms and systems as needed. With oversight from the Collections Manager and training from the Lead Lab Coordinator, the Coordinator oversees facility access, visitor orientations, opening and closing procedures, circulation activities, and student training. The position also supports room scheduling, inventory and purchasing recommendations, cleaning and maintenance across Nature Lab spaces, and live animal, plant, aquarium, and aquaponics care when trained students or Lab Coordinators are unavailable. The successful candidate will work in a campus environment committed to social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities. The role may include occasional special events outside standard hours with advance notice, and other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma; an equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute for the minimum educational requirement.
One year of experience supervising or leading students, volunteers, or other personnel and logistical operations in a professional setting.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate and work flexibly in a service-oriented environment.
Computer experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and other software used for records, schedules, and data entry.
Attention to detail and ability to foster an inspirational learning environment.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Commitment to supporting an inclusive work environment and ability to work respectfully and effectively across differences in background, role, and perspective.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Workday and checkout/cataloging systems such as Web Checkout.
Ability and professional experience to understand the connections between art and science and advocate for their study in a natural science setting.

Responsibilities

Provide front-line operations of the Nature Lab facility and access to the Main Collection (Room 22), monitor visitor activities, ensure adherence to Lab rules and RISD’s code of conduct, and oversee opening and closing procedures.
Orient faculty, students, tour groups, and public visitors to the facility; provide information and relay messages to appropriate team members.
Oversee student workers conducting specimen and equipment checkout and check-in activities.
Mentor and train students through one-on-one instruction and support Lab Coordinators assisting students and faculty with projects using Nature Lab resources.
Respond to room-use requests and schedule classroom spaces according to access guidelines developed by the Lead Lab Coordinator.
Monitor inventories of instructional, display, maintenance, cleaning, and curatorial supplies and submit purchasing recommendations to the Lead Lab Coordinator.
Maintain the cleanliness, maintenance, and presentability of the Main Collection, Biodesign Makerspace, Imaging Lab, Storage Room, and Prep Room; delegate regular cleaning tasks to undergraduate Lab Assistants and ensure daily routines are completed.
Assist with supervision, evaluation, and mentoring of undergraduate Lab Assistants.
Coordinate with the Lead Lab Coordinator and Lab Coordinator to train student employees in standard operating procedures, specimen borrowing, repairs, routine maintenance, and opening, closing, cleaning, and maintenance routines.
Understudy live animal and plant care tasks to cover for an absent Lab Coordinator when needed.
Care for the Lab’s living organisms and systems, including terrestrial and aquatic animals, fresh- and salt-water aquaria, and aquaponics systems, when trained undergraduate Lab Assistants or Lab Coordinators are unavailable.
Support Nature Lab fundraising and public relations by hosting guests and visitors and participating in institution-wide and departmental projects, workshops, and events.
Work with the Collections Manager, Director, Public Safety, and Environmental Health and Safety to support a safe and secure working environment.
Assist the Collections Manager and Director with Nature Lab projects, programs, events, and functions as directed, and perform other duties as assigned.
Support occasional special events outside standard working hours with advance notice for planning.