Title: Environmental Science Lab Supervisor
Employee Classification: Instructional Lab Supervisor
Campus: University of North Texas
Division: UNT-Provost
SubDivision-Department: UNT-College of Science
Department: UNT-Biological Sciences-121100
Job Location: Denton
Salary: Commensurate with experience
FTE: 1.000000
Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible
About Us - Values Overview:
Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.
We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an inclusive environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.
Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu.
Department Summary
The Department of Biological Sciences, one of four departments in the College of Science, has over 40 faculty, 175 graduate and 3,000 undergraduate students. Our faculty is a community of scholars dedicated to research and teaching in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Physiology, Neuroscience, Plant Biology, and Organismal-environment interactions. We offer Bachelor’s degrees in Biology, Biochemistry, Ecology, Medical Laboratory Science, and Forensic Science, and Masters and PhDs in Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Environmental Science. We measure our success by the success of our students and the quality of our intellectual contributions to society.
Position Overview
The Environmental Science Lab Supervisor oversees and coordinates the introductory Environmental Science and advanced Ecology/-ology teaching laboratories for the Department of Biological Sciences by supervising and evaluating teaching assistants, coordinating purchasing of supplies, materials and instrumentation for the teaching labs, working with the faculty to upgrade and modernize the teaching labs, arranging field trips, van rentals, and van driver training, as well as driving vans to field sites, communicating with Risk Management Services to ensure safety compliance in assigned lab courses and spaces, and preparing assigned teaching labs for use by students, along with various other tasks.
Minimum Qualifications
Master's Degree in related field and two years' of related experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Working knowledge of instructional applications related to the laboratory and/or the discipline.
- Working knowledge of equipment and instrumentation appropriate to the nature of the lab and/or the discipline, and of supplies including operation, setup, storage, and maintenance. Knowledge of, or the ability to learn and follow, University policies and procedures.
- Skill in making effective presentations of experiments or software, and providing instruction in laboratory techniques, use of equipment, use of software, procedures, and safety rules.
- Skill in managing one’s own time and the time of others.
- Ability to supervise work performed by others.
- Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
- Ability to work effectively and patiently with students.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s Degree (or higher) in Environmental Science, Ecology, or Biological Sciences, with a concentration in Environmental Science or Ecology, plus three years of instructional laboratory teaching, instructional laboratory preparation, and supervisory experience.
Required License/Registration/Certifications
N/A
Job Duties:
- Regularly review existing teaching labs and update as needed to improve the laboratory experience for students, including reviewing, researching and updating protocols and manuals. Work with the Instructional Lab Coordinator at Frisco Inspire Park to ensure laboratory protocols are in agreement. May require occasional trips to Frisco campus.
- Provide logistical support and coordination for assigned lab courses to support standardization of laboratory instruction across multiple lab sections and TAs, Adjunct Assistants, hourly instructional staff (as applicable) and two campuses.
- Ensure (a) laboratory space is clean, safe, compliant (per Risk Management Services), and prepared for student use, (b) equipment and instrumentation are in proper working order, (c) transportation is available for field trips, and (d) field trip preparations are in place for students.
- Regularly meet with, train, supervise, evaluate and counsel Teaching Assistants, Adjunct Assistants and prep personnel (as applicable). Disseminate departmental and university policy procedural information, as well as training requirements, including van driver training. Follow-up to ensure training requirements and remediation goals are being/have been met by stated deadlines.
- Purchase and/or work with vendors and local purchaser to purchase needed instrumentation, materials and supplies. Follow p-card and Procurement regulations, policies and processes. Provide purchasing and van driver-related assistance to upper division ecology/ology labs.
- Work with the Dean of Students Office for absence verification requirements and concerns and the Office of Disability Access to identify and fulfill reasonable accommodation requests. Communicate with all parties to limit misunderstandings. Arbitrate and /or resolve TA/student disputes.
- Collect data throughout the semester for Core Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness purposes.
Work Schedule:
Monday-Friday, 8-5 (flexible) with occasional Saturdays
Driving University Vehicle:
Yes
Security Sensitive:
This is a Security Sensitive Position.
Special Instructions:
Benefits:
For information regarding our Benefits, click here.
EEO Statement:
The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit - and takes actions to prevent - discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence) and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities and employment practices. The University of North Texas System immediately investigates complaints of discrimination and takes remedial action when appropriate. The University of North Texas System also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist or participate in an investigative proceeding or hearing.