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Director of General Chemistry Labs

Employer
University of Colorado Boulder
Location
Colorado, United States
Salary
Salary Not Specified
Date posted
Feb 3, 2021


Job Summary

CU Boulder is encouraging applications for a Director of General Chemistry Labs! The Director's work involves direction, supervision, mentoring, and overall responsibility for the general chemistry teaching laboratory courses, in consultation with department faculty and staff members. Oversight includes six courses each semester of the academic year and two courses each term of the summer session. The number of laboratory sections is currently over 200 during the academic year and 5 each term of the summer. The number of students taking these courses is approximately 4000 over the calendar year.
The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder is internationally recognized for its specialized research and education into the study of matter, energy, and the interaction between them. The behavior of atoms, molecules, and ions determines the sort of world we live in, our shapes and sizes, and even how we feel on a given day. Chemists who understand these phenomena are well-equipped to tackle problems faced by our modern society.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Direction of Operations of General Chemistry Laboratories
  • Manage budgets, keep track of equipment/instrument needs, prepare requests for Program Fee Distribution Committee.
  • Work with the faculty/staff to prepare laboratory manuals for printing and purchase at the CU Bookstore.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Undergraduate Academic Affairs to build course schedules for each semester, and to monitor and track enrollments to open or close additional sections as needed.
  • Solve problems in laboratory procedures as they occur; this requires the Director to be physically present when labs are in session.
  • Supervise the performance of TAs and provide advice/solutions on disagreements.
  • Determine makeup policy when labs are interrupted or canceled by weather, fire alarms, etc.
  • Supervise and develop remote and virtual laboratory experiments as needed for longer laboratory closures.
  • Participate in pedagogical discussions; develop laboratory learning goals.
  • Design and execute new laboratory experiments.
  • Explore online options for student preparation for lab, and submission of reports.
  • Work with Campus organizations to make laboratories less costly for students, more sustainable and more energy efficient.
  • Work with Disability Services to meet the needs of special accommodation students such as wheelchair bound, visual impairment (with service dog), fear of working with chemicals, etc.
  • Serve on departmental committees.


Direction and Mentoring of Teaching Assistants (TAs)
  • Make preliminary assignments of TAs to recitations and lab sections, maintaining a spreadsheet for CU-SIS and HR purposes; confirm appointments with department chair or designee.
  • Work with faculty and instructors of general chemistry laboratory courses to address issues pertaining to TA performance, concerns expressed by undergraduate students, etc.
  • Mentor graduate students who desire to pursue teaching careers.
  • Advise international students with TA appointments.
  • Solicit TA evaluations from staff and faculty to select recipients of the Graduate Teaching Excellence Awards.
  • Coordinate, supervise and participate in annual TA Training program.
  • Implementation of lab safety policies.
  • Instruct a 1 credit laboratory as required.


Space and Facilities
  • Together with Laboratory Coordinators, supervise the general conditions of labs and help to plan for upgrades and renovations.
  • Report problems in physical spaces occupied by General Chemistry lab and recitation sections to Chemistry Building Manager.
  • Coordinate teaching activities with Building Manager and/or Facilities Management during space planning and renovation activities.


Supervision of Classified Staff
  • Supervise and evaluate two Lab Coordinator II positions and two Lab Coordinator I positions.
  • Hold regular weekly or biweekly meetings and have daily interactions with Lab Coordinators.
  • In the case of laboratory accidents, work with Lab Coordinators to determine whom to contact (fire and rescue, ambulance, EH&S, etc.)
  • Work with CHEM and CAS staff as vital to hire temporary or new lab coordinators.


What We Can Offer

Annual salary range of $78,000-$84,000.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder .

Be Statements
Be Dynamic. Be Impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related field and at least 3 years experience in laboratory chemistry.
  • Expertise in the use, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of general chemistry laboratory apparatus.
  • Supervisory experience, including mentoring or training of staff or students.


What You Will Need

  • Demonstrated problem solving and decision-making skills.
  • Organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
  • Written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex policies and procedures.
  • High degree of professionalism and ability to maintain confidentiality and work with sensitive information.
  • Demonstrated ability to proactively analyze issues so as to foresee possible problems or concerns that may arise and to develop proactive solutions and initiate related action.
  • Ability to establish and maintain positive and cooperative working relationships within the department.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook).


What We Would Like You To Have

  • Graduate study and advanced degree in Chemistry or related field.
  • Multi-year experience in teaching laboratory supervision, including graduate school teaching experience.
  • Knowledge of environmental health and safety requirements and protocols.
  • 3+ years of supervisory experience.


Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:
  1. A current resume.
  2. A cover letter that specifically addresses how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications and responsibilities of the position.

You will not be asked to upload references at this time.

Please apply by Thursday, February 24th for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu


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