General Summary of Position:
The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE) has several laboratories including Environmental, Structural and Engineering Materials, Fluid Mechanics, Geotechnical, and Surveying labs. The Lab Manager is responsible for overseeing daily activities of these CEE laboratories including acquisition, installation, maintenance, operations, budgeting, and supervising laboratory personnel. The individual serves as a liaison with UMass Lowell’s Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) regarding safety compliance for CEE instructional laboratories and research facilities and including inspections, hazards, incidents, orderliness, and cleanliness. The individual will be working directly with a diverse community of CEE faculty, staff, students, and scholars supporting teaching, research, and other academic activities.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
Laboratory Maintenance and Support:
- Manage CEE labs and facilities such as testing, training, programming, and troubleshooting of lab equipment and testing machines used for teaching, research, and other academic activities.
- Maintain equipment in working condition and repair as needed.
- Evaluate, install, maintain, and operate engineering lab equipment and systems (such as Instron, hydraulic machines, pumps) and specialized lab equipment as needed (for materials lab, environmental lab, geotechnical lab, fluids lab, and surveying lab).
- Support instructional activities and CEE research functions in design, construction, deployment, monitoring, quality control, and data acquisition; analyze data, monitor, and oversee experimental processes, lab systems, and specialized equipment.
- Maintain and update inventory as needed in each lab.
- Maintain a safe laboratory environment in accordance with university procedures and policies.
- Serve as a point of contact for lab safety issues and lab emergencies.
- Collectively work with the CEE department to develop and implement policies, procedures, and standards for safe lab operations according to federal, state, and university policies.
- Work with faculty, staff, students, and scholars to fulfill the teaching, research, and other academic activities of the department.
Instructional Support:
- Stock and maintain laboratory supplies to successfully deliver lab courses.
- Help conduct tests, run equipment, and demonstrate experiments when needed.
- Work with faculty and students to set up the labs for each session as required.
- Provide instructions and/or training to students as needed.
Budgeting, Purchasing, and Acquisition:
- Keep equipment inventory; manage laboratory hardware and software.
- The individual is responsible for purchases/procurement (placing purchase orders, invoicing, and payment processing).
- Contact vendors and suppliers to place orders and/or follow up with procurement on equipment, materials, and supplies.
- Work with faculty and staff to submit and approve university credit card applications and expense approvals and other related activities.
Support Student Clubs and Competitions:
- Assist student body with regional and national competitions (Concrete Canoe, Steel Bridge, etc.).
- Ensure students, instructors, and other personnel have completed all required EHS training needed for the lab or research activity being conducted
Other Functions and Responsibilities:
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- Comply with all safety standards appropriate to this position.
Minimum Qualifications (Required):
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering or a related field, with 5+ years of relevant experience
- Comfortable taking initiative, reliable, motivated in one’s work, with a demonstrated ability to work in a team environment
- Understanding of engineering processes related to lab equipment set up, maintenance, and repair
- Well-developed conceptual, analytical and communications skills
- Ability to create, read, and interpret engineering schematics
- The ability to work effectively with diverse populations including students, staff, and faculty
- A vehicle and a valid Driver’s License are required to conduct field work
Additional Considerations:
- May require rigging and maneuvering heavy machinery/equipment when needed
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous laboratory experience at the university level is preferred
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Only Internal Professional (SEIU 888 Professional Union) Bargaining candidates will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.
This is an SEIU 888 Professional Union position, Grade P18.
Initial review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. However, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications is received.
Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. Names and contact information of three references will be required during the application process.
