Laboratory Coordinator II - Department of Chemistry

MINES IS PROUD TO OFFER EXCELLENT BENEFITS TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN EXTRAORDINARY TALENT. OUR PERKS INCLUDE:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Generous vacation and sick leave plus 13 paid holidays
• State retirement plan (PERA)
• Parental Leave
• Reduced cost tuition for employee and family members
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Professional growth and training opportunities
• Access to technology and equipment
• Colorado State Employee Assistance Program
• Access to a world-class recreation center
• Interaction with an international population and cultural events

Shape the Student and Research Laboratory Experience at Mines

The Department of Chemistry at Colorado School of Mines is seeking a highly organized, safety-focused, and collaborative Laboratory Coordinator II to oversee the daily operations that keep our teaching and research laboratories running smoothly. This role is critical to the success of faculty, students, researchers, and student employees by ensuring laboratory spaces are safe, well-equipped, compliant, and prepared for hands-on learning and discovery. 

If you thrive in a dynamic laboratory environment, enjoy solving operational challenges, and take pride in supporting scientific excellence, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact across the department.

About the Role

As the Laboratory Coordinator II, you will serve as a key operational resource for the Department of Chemistry, managing laboratory preparation, chemical inventory, purchasing, safety compliance, equipment support, and student worker supervision. You'll work closely with faculty, students, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), facilities personnel, vendors, and campus partners to ensure laboratories are fully prepared to support teaching, research, and outreach activities. 

This position offers broad ownership of laboratory operations and opportunities to deepen expertise in chemical safety, compliance, procurement, inventory management, and leadership, creating a strong foundation for future growth in laboratory management, EHS, or research operations careers. 

Key Responsibilities

Coordinate Teaching Laboratory Operations

• Prepare reagents, solutions, materials, and equipment to support scheduled laboratory courses.
• Ensure laboratories are clean, organized, safe, and ready for instruction.
• Standardize solutions and manage chemical preparation processes with precision.
• Monitor laboratory readiness and troubleshoot operational issues before they impact instruction.

Provide Technical Laboratory Support

• Respond to requests from faculty, staff, students, and researchers for materials, equipment, and technical assistance.
• Assemble, adapt, or fabricate equipment and laboratory setups as needed.
• Recommend laboratory procedures and support safe laboratory practices.
• Coordinate the movement and installation of laboratory equipment and supplies.

Lead Safety and Compliance Efforts

• Monitor compliance with chemical safety and environmental regulations.
• Manage chemical inventories, waste disposal programs, and related documentation.
• Conduct laboratory inspections and identify corrective actions.
• Serve as an initial responder for chemical incidents and coordinate with EHS as necessary.
• Maintain required safety, inspection, and compliance records.

Supervise Student Employees

• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, and supervise student laboratory assistants.
• Delegate laboratory preparation, inventory, and stockroom responsibilities.
• Monitor performance, provide coaching, and ensure adherence to safety protocols.
• Maintain employment and training records.

Manage Purchasing and Inventory Systems

• Procure laboratory supplies, chemicals, and equipment.
• Evaluate vendor quotes and coordinate purchasing activities.
• Receive, inspect, store, and distribute laboratory materials.
• Maintain accurate inventory databases and generate reports.
• Coordinate disposal or redistribution of surplus materials and equipment.

Support Department Operations and Outreach

• Build productive relationships with faculty, students, vendors, inspectors, facilities personnel, and campus partners.
• Coordinate laboratory support for departmental events, demonstrations, and outreach programs.
• Help ensure successful execution of chemistry-related events through effective planning and logistics.

The Ideal Candidate

Successful candidates are:

• Safety-minded and committed to compliance
• Detail-oriented and highly organized
• Dependable and proactive
• Calm under pressure and adaptable when priorities shift
• Effective communicators who build positive relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Strong problem-solvers who take ownership of laboratory operations 

Why Join the Department of Chemistry?

The Department of Chemistry offers a collaborative and engaging environment where your expertise directly supports student success, innovative research, and scientific discovery. This role provides meaningful responsibility, visible impact, and opportunities to expand your technical, operational, and leadership skills within a respected STEM-focused institution.

Residency Requirement:

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Class Code & Classification Description:

I9A2XX Laboratory Coordinator II

Minimum Qualifications:
Experience Only:

Four (4) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position, which included: 

• Experience supporting chemistry or scientific laboratory operations.
• Experience preparing chemical solutions and handling laboratory reagents and equipment.
• Working knowledge of laboratory safety procedures, chemical storage requirements, waste management practices, and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to maintain detailed records and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

EXPERIENCE MUST BE CLEARLY DOCUMENTED IN THE "WORK HISTORY" SECTION OF YOUR APPLICATION.  "SEE RESUME" WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Additionally, part - time work will be pro-rated. 

Or

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to four (4) years (Transcripts must be attached for educational credit)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience working in the Chemistry Department at Colorado School of Mines

• Experience working within a higher education laboratory environment.Experience with chemical inventory management systems and laboratory purchasing.
• Experience supervising, training, or mentoring student employees or laboratory assistants.
• Familiarity with Colorado School of Mines laboratory operations, systems, policies, and campus partners.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Background check

Appeal Rights:

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. Email address: [email protected]. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons.  Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a rich and vibrant diverse and inclusive community, where our different perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.