Lab Coordinator - Engineering

The Pennsylvania State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is seeking a Lab Coordinator - Engineering to manage the daily operation of teaching and research laboratories, ensure safety, readiness, and equipment availability, and coordinate purchasing for lab needs.

You will support faculty, researchers, staff, and students, maintain inventories, uphold policies, and oversee safety programs, inspections, and corrective actions across the department’s facilities.

Qualifications

• Coordinate laboratory scheduling and readiness for teaching and research activities.
• Provide technical guidance on laboratory procedures, equipment capabilities, and supplies.
• Support safety programs, inspections, and documentation.
• Maintain inventories, records, and compliant lab documentation.
• Assist purchasing processes for teaching and research lab needs.

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.

Skills

Laboratory coordination

Procurement

Safety programs

Equipment maintenance

Vendor coordination

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

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.

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.

Additional responsibilities may include

• 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.

Preferred qualifications

• 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.

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications

If filled as Lab Coordinator - Engineering - Senior Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted. Required Certifications: None.

If filled as Lab Coordinator - Engineering - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted. Required Certifications: None.

Background Checks / Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $59,580.00 - $94,980.00. Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

Campus Security Crime Statistics

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