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Join our St. Croix Watershed Research Station (SCWRS) team as a Laboratory Manager. The Lab Manager oversees the analytical chemistry laboratories (wet, sediment, and radiometric), conducts laboratory analyses, supervises laboratory technicians, and helps coordinate field and outreach activities at the SCWRS.

Work Environment & Schedule: Open lab environment requiring ability to stand for long periods of time to work at lab bench heights, plus standard office setting.  Field settings require physical strength and stamina to conduct field sampling in difficult terrain and under adverse weather conditions.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

Laboratory Management:

• Supervises Laboratory Technicians and Interns.
• Coordinates lab usage among technicians, interns, graduate students, and visiting researchers.
• Manages analytical services and data reporting for internal SCWRS projects and for analytical services performed for external cooperating agencies or institutions.
• Serves as the laboratory safety officer (duties may be delegated to an experienced lab technician if/when appropriate).
• Troubleshoots/maintains laboratory equipment, purchases supplies as needed, and maintains oversight of laboratory use and safety.
• In cooperation with their supervisor, manages and balances the laboratory services budget by tracking expenses and maintaining financial records of transactions.
• Provides advice and assistance for SCWRS staff scientists on research activities, laboratory planning, and general operations of the Research Station.

Laboratory Analyses:

• Performs routine analytical determinations and develops new standard operating procedures for chemical and biological measurement of environmental samples (water, sediments, soil, etc.).
• Manages and executes laboratory analyses in accordance with quality assurance agreements and contractual deadlines.
• Coordinates incoming and outgoing internal/external analytical samples.
• Synthesizes and interprets analytical data and assists in the preparation of research reports and publications.
• Helps coordinate sampling logistics and assists in field work at nearby and remote field locations.

Communication, Outreach, and Development:

• Provides analytical and field-related expertise to other SMM programs for the development of exhibits and educational programs.
• Helps interpret research objectives of the SCWRS to other SMM staff, the membership, and general public through laboratory tours at SCWRS and related programs at SMM.
• Assists with student training and internship programs by providing both lab and field instruction.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA/BS in chemistry, environmental sciences, or closely related field; MS valued but not required.
• Demonstrated experience managing a laboratory and performing analytical methods, preferably with water samples and other environmental materials.
• Demonstrated experience supervising personnel (e.g., lab technicians, interns).
• Prior training and experience with safety protocols and analytical Quality Assurance/Quality Control procedures, equipment maintenance, procurement of supplies and general laboratory operations.
• Must be competent in standard office software; experience in spreadsheet, lab management, and data analysis software desired (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, analytical software, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Ability to work cooperatively as well as independently and the capability to maintain an orderly work environment.
• A personal and professional interest in the field sciences – ecology, limnology, environmental geology, water resources.
• Cultural competency and experience working with diverse communities.
• Willingness to be open and respectful of all backgrounds.
• Fluency in language(s) other than English valued (Hmong, Somali, Spanish).

Hiring Pay Range: $58,800 USD or more per year / Depending on Qualifications.

The job duties describe the general nature and level of work assigned to this position and is not an exhaustive list. For some positions, detailed procedures may be outlined in supplemental documents.

Travel Required

Qualifications