Physical Science Laboratory Coordinator & Chemical Hygiene Officer (On Site - University Center, MI)

Delta College; Michigan; On-site; USD 51,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Delta College seeks a dynamic Science Laboratory Coordinator to oversee chemical hygiene, OSHA compliance, and lab operations across Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Astronomy, and observatory facilities at University Center, MI.

This role coordinates satellite campus labs, maintains safety systems, supports instrumentation such as HPLC and spectrophotometers, and assists faculty with course preparation and outreach events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline required; Master’s preferred.
• 1–3 years of experience in educational laboratories or similar settings.
• Demonstrated understanding of chemical safety, hazardous waste disposal, OSHA/EPA regulations.
• Experience calibrating and maintaining specialized laboratory instrumentation and/or astronomical systems.

Responsibilities

• Chemical Hygiene & Regulatory Risk Mitigation: OSHA compliance, SDS management, inventories, and waste manifests.
• Multi-Disciplinary Laboratory Operations & Course Prep: setup labs, coordinate satellite campus labs, support curriculum.
• Observatory Operations & Technical Stewardship: maintain observatory equipment, optics, mounts, and related software.

Skills

OSHA Compliance

Hazardous Waste Management

Laboratory Coordination

Observatory Operations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

HPLC

Mass Spectrometers

Spectrophotometers

Job description

Physical Science Laboratory Coordinator & Chemical Hygiene Officer (On Site - University Center, MI)

Position Title Physical Science Laboratory Coordinator & Chemical Hygiene Officer (On Site - University Center, MI)

Division/Department Science and Mathematics

Employee Group Administrative/Professional

Full time, Starting Salary $51,267 – $56,903: Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience

Position Summary Information

The successful candidate must demonstrate experience, skills, and commitment to fostering an environment of belonging, diversity, equity and inclusion in students, faculty and staff.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Science and Mathematics Division at Delta College is seeking a dynamic, multi-faceted Science Laboratory Coordinator. The successful candidate will merge specialized technical support for the Physical Sciences (Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy, Geology, and observatory equipment maintenance) with critical Chemical Hygiene oversight. In addition, this position will coordinate the laboratory preparation for the satellite campuses for the above-listed disciplines. This role ensures regulatory compliance for OSHA , involves collaboration with faculty for teaching laboratory preparation, and helps maintain the Delta Dome (observatory) to enhance student science identity, retention, and success.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING

Chemical Hygiene & Regulatory Risk Mitigation

• OSHA Compliance: Serve as a cornerstone for institutional compliance by adhering to the OSHA Laboratory Standard (29 CFR 1910.1450). Maintain accurate Safety Data Sheets ( SDS ), up-to-date chemical inventories, and precise waste manifests to protect the college from liability and federal audits.
• Safety Inspections: Conduct routine safety inspections of laboratory spaces and manage personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and emergency infrastructure (including fume hoods and eyewash stations).
• Hazardous Waste Management: Provide professional oversight of chemical disposal and hazardous waste protocols in strict accordance with state and federal EPA regulations.

Multi-Disciplinary Laboratory Operations & Course Prep

• Instructional Continuity: Coordinate and execute timely, accurate laboratory setups for Chemistry, Physics, Geology, and Astronomy courses, minimizing instructional downtime so faculty can focus on teaching.
• Satellite Support: Manage inventories and travel to coordinate laboratory setups across Delta’s community centers (including Downtown Saginaw, Midland, and Bay City Centers) to guarantee an equitable laboratory experience across all regional footprints.
• Curriculum & Research Support: Partner with faculty to refine laboratory protocols, keep course materials up to date, and assist with complex preparations for individual courses incorporating course-based research (e.g., Organic Chemistry).

Observatory Operations & Technical Stewardship

• Instrumentation Maintenance: Perform routine cleaning, alignment (collimation), and calibration of high-value optical telescopes, CCD / CMOS cameras, and solar filters.
• Systems Calibration: Monitor, lubricate, and maintain computerized equatorial mounts and tracking motor drives, executing firmware updates as dictated by manufacturer specifications.
• Infrastructure Management: Oversee the mechanical operations, safety sensors, and weather-sealing components of the observatory dome or roll-off roof systems.
• Event Preparation: Assist faculty with evening laboratory sessions and community “Star Party” outreach events by pre-cooling optics, setting up portable tripods, and troubleshooting control software (e.g., ASCOM , Stellarium).
• Web Content Management: Regularly update the observatory’s website with public event schedules.
• Digital Curation: Archive student-captured astronomical images or data into publicfacing galleries and digital repositories.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline (Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Earth Science, or a closely related field) required. Master’s degree preferred.
• 1-3 years of experience
• Demonstrated understanding of chemical safety protocols, hazardous waste disposal, and OSHA / EPA regulations governing educational laboratories.
• Experience calibrating, operating, and maintaining specialized laboratory instrumentation (e.g., HPLC , Mass Spectrometers, Spectrophotometers) and/or complex optical/astronomical tracking systems.

Additional Experiences Considered

• Master’s degree in a scientific discipline (Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Earth Science, or a closed related field) preferred
• Cross-functional capability to support multiple scientific disciplines simultaneously and manage logistical operations across multiple regional footprints.
• Competency with digital inventory systems management tools.

Application Deadline

Position will remain open until filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by July 29th. The College reserves the right to close the recruitment process once a sufficient applicant pool has been identified.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Complete an on-line application and attach a cover letter with position title, resume and copies of transcripts (official transcripts required upon hire) and/or certifications and licenses.

Posting Specific Question

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * In order to track our recruitment sources, please indicate how you became aware of the position vacancy?
  • Delta.edu
  • Indeed.com
  • Career Arc
  • MI Works / MI Talent Bank
  • HigherEdJobs.com
  • Michigan HERC Website
  • MLive (Grand Rapids Press, Flint Journal, Ann Arbor News, Jackson Citizen Patriot, Kalamazoo Gazette, Saginaw News, Muskegon Chronicle, Bay City Times)
  • Other
• If you selected "Other" above, please tell us where you heard about this posting.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Describe your understanding and experience in creating a sense of belonging for all students, faculty, and staff.

  (Open Ended Question)

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Transcript 1

Optional Documents

• Letter of Recommendation 1
• Letter of Recommendation 2
• Letter of Recommendation 3
• Professional Certifications or Licensures
• Transcript 2
• Transcript 3