Assistant Laboratory Manager

City of Abilene, Texas

Abilene (TX)

On-site

USD 78,000 - 98,000

Full time

2 days ago

Be an early applicant

Application generator

An application made for this job — a tailored resume and cover letter that speak straight to the posting.

Get past ATS filters

Job summary

City of Abilene, Texas seeks an Assistant Laboratory Manager to oversee the Environmental Laboratory's day-to-day operations, coordinating workflow, setting analytical priorities, monitoring capacity, and ensuring safe, continuous lab services.

Direct supervision of laboratory technicians, management of equipment, inventory, purchasing, and safety compliance, with involvement in audits and process improvements and collaboration with management and City departments.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline is required.
Experience coordinating laboratory operations or similar functions preferred.
Experience in a leadership role preferred.

Responsibilities

Coordinate day-to-day laboratory activities based on workload and priorities.
Monitor workflow capacity and adjust priorities to maintain continuity of services.
Coordinate equipment maintenance, repairs, and vendor activities.
Manage inventory and purchasing to ensure supplies and reagents are available.
Support safety activities and compliance with laboratory procedures.
Assist with audits, inspections, and corrective actions.
Communicate significant operational issues to the Laboratory Manager.

Skills

Workflow coordination

Prioritization

Equipment maintenance

Inventory management

Problem solving

Communication

LIMS usage

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, microbiology, environmental science, engineering, or related scientific discipline

Tools

LIMS

MS Office

Job description

Job Description

Under direction of the Division Manager, the Assistant Laboratory Manager coordinates the day-to-day operations of the Environmental Laboratory. This position coordinates laboratory workflow and analytical priorities, monitors operational needs, manages laboratory resources, and addresses equipment, facility, technology, and other issues affecting laboratory operations. The position provides operational direction to laboratory personnel and exercises independent judgment to resolve issues, coordinate resources, and maintain efficient, safe, and continuous laboratory operations.

Supervision Exercised

Direct and indirect supervision over laboratory technicians.

Important And Essential Duties

Coordinate day-to-day laboratory activities, analytical priorities, and work assignments based on workload, staffing availability, analytical requirements, turnaround times, and operational needs.
Monitor laboratory workflow and operational capacity, identify bottlenecks or resource limitations, and adjust priorities or coordinate appropriate actions to maintain continuity of laboratory services.
Coordinate laboratory equipment maintenance, repairs, and service activities and maintain awareness of equipment status and availability.
Serve as the primary operational coordination point for equipment vendors and service providers and facilitate service visits, troubleshooting activities, and equipment-related projects.
Manage laboratory inventory and ordering activities to ensure adequate supplies, reagents, consumables, and equipment are available for laboratory operations. Identify purchasing needs, confirm technical specifications and quantities, and provide required purchasing information to administrative staff for procurement processing.
Coordinate facility maintenance and Information Technology needs affecting laboratory operations by identifying issues, initiating service requests, communicating operational requirements, and following issues through resolution.
Coordinate with Technical Managers and laboratory personnel to ensure appropriate resources, equipment, and operational support are available for required analytical activities.
Assist in developing, implementing, and maintaining laboratory operational procedures, workflows, schedules, and standardized practices.
Identify operational inefficiencies and recommend and implement improvements to laboratory workflow, resource utilization, equipment management, technology, and day-to-day processes.
Support laboratory safety activities by identifying operational safety concerns, coordinating corrective actions, and promoting compliance with established laboratory and City safety procedures.
Assist laboratory management with audits, inspections, accreditation activities, corrective actions, and other operational or compliance-related projects as assigned.
Compile and evaluate operational information related to workload, turnaround time, equipment status, inventory, and other laboratory activities to support management planning and decision-making.
Communicate significant operational issues, resource limitations, equipment failures, workflow delays, and other matters affecting laboratory services to the Laboratory Manager.

Other Job Related Duties

Assist the Division Manager with operational planning, special projects, and implementation of division initiatives and provide operational continuity in the Division Manager's absence within the authority delegated to the position.
Assist with the planning and implementation of laboratory equipment installations, replacements, relocations, upgrades, and other operational projects.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge Of

Laboratory operations, workflow, and general analytical processes.
Laboratory equipment, instrumentation, supplies, reagents, and operational resource requirements.
Principles and practices of laboratory inventory management, equipment maintenance, preventative maintenance, and service coordination.
Laboratory safety practices, procedures, and applicable occupational safety requirements.
General quality assurance, quality control, accreditation, and regulatory requirements applicable to laboratory operations.
Principles of workload planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and operational coordination.
Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and other software and technology used to support laboratory operations.
MS Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Skill To

Coordinate and prioritize laboratory workflows, resources, and operational needs.
Evaluate laboratory workload and adjust priorities to maintain efficient operations.
Coordinate equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, and vendor service activities.
Manage laboratory inventory and identify operational resource needs.
Identify operational problems and implement practical solutions.
Communicate effectively with laboratory personnel, management, vendors, and other City departments.
Use LIMS, Microsoft Office applications, and other laboratory software effectively.
Safely operate a City vehicle as needed to travel to City facilities, vendors, training, meetings, and other locations in support of laboratory operations.

Ability To

Exercise sound judgment and initiative in resolving operational issues.
Work independently and make effective decisions with minimal supervision.
Manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing laboratory needs.
Provide operational direction while maintaining cooperative working relationships with laboratory personnel.
Interpret and apply established laboratory procedures, policies, and regulatory requirements.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.
Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience And Training Guidelines

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Experience

Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in a laboratory setting is preferred.
Experience coordinating laboratory operations, workflow, equipment, inventory, or similar operational functions is preferred.
Experience in a lead, senior technician, coordinator, or other laboratory leadership role is preferred.

Education/Training

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, microbiology, environmental science, engineering, or related scientific discipline from an accredited institution is required.
Additional coursework or training in laboratory management, quality systems, safety, or related areas is preferred.

License Or Certificate

A valid Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.

Special Requirements

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Physical Demand Codes

The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes For How Often

N = No

E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)

M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)

I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)

A = Almost Never (<10% of the time)

Code / Task

_M_ Standing

_M_ Sitting

_M_ Walking

_I__ Lifting

_I__ Carrying