Assistant Laboratory Manager

GENERAL 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.

Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

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:

With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:

­­___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds

_ _ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds

_X_ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds

___ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds

___ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

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

_I__ Pushing/Pulling

_I__ Overhead Work

_M_ Fine Dexterity

_A_ Kneeling

_A_ Crouching

_A_ Crawling

_I__ Bending

_I__ Twisting

_I__ Climbing

_I__ Balancing

_E_ Vision

_E_ Hearing

_E_ Talking

___ Other: _____________________