Laboratory Coordinator I

Department

Biology

About the University

Established in 1965, Metropolitan State University ( MSU Denver ) was founded to serve students underrepresented in higher education whose life paths and experiences do not fit the traditional mold. Sixty years later, the University continues to serve over 16,000 of Colorado’s extraordinary and diverse students, providing them with the foundation on which to build their unique aspirations. As the third largest public institution of higher education in Colorado, MSU Denver is a model university for today’s college students.

The University serves the most diverse undergraduate student population in the state, as well as the most first-generation students. As a university community, we are proud to have earned the federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution that also offers graduate programs (gHSI) and to work at the only Seal of Excelencia certified institution in Colorado. Through affordable, flexible, and holistic education, MSU Denver helps students build essential skills grounded in a multicultural and global perspective that lead to undergraduate and graduate degrees, and career and life success.

At MSU Denver, we are committed to our CADRE values: Community, Access, Diversity, Respect, and Excellence. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment where all community members are valued and belong. Our dedication to breaking down barriers to education, fostering open dialogue, and promoting world-class scholarship ensures that we provide exceptional services and innovative learning opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff.

About the Department of Biology

The mission of the Department of Biology is to foster a learning environment where students from diverse backgrounds can build the conceptual framework framework to examine living organisms from the molecular level to entire ecosystems gaining comprehensive knowledge of biological principles. MSU Denver is a primarily an undergraduate serving institution (PUI) and the Biology department supports development of inclusive teaching practices that engage students in active learning and community building in the classroom. As part of our commitment to innovative pedagogy, the Biology Department is a campus leader in engaging students in undergraduate research opportunities in the classroom, through course-based undergraduate research, and in faculty research laboratories to guide students in building analytical, laboratory and field-based scientific skills necessary to conduct contemporary biological research, pursue graduate studies, or directly enter the workforce.

Position Summary

The Department of Biology is seeking applicants for a General Biology Laboratory Coordinator I position. This position will collaborate with the other general biology laboratory coordinator to manage all aspects of preparation for the general biology I and II and related courses to ensure labs run efficiently. Duties include preparation of liquid and solid growth media, proper use on an autoclave steam sterilizer, preparation of chemical solutions, dissection of invertebrate and vertebrate animal specimens, maintenance and care of live animal and plants specimens, equipment maintenance, and management of student laboratory assistants. This position will also require teaching one General Biology I or II laboratory course per year.

Responsibilities

Laboratory Preparation and Breakdown

• •Work cooperatively with existing General Biology Lab coordinator and General Biology faculty coordinators to ensure efficient laboratory preparations.
• •Set up and break down general biology laboratories.
• •Assist in the preparation of all laboratory materials for General Biology I and II labs.
• •Manage proper growth conditions for successful completion of laboratory exercises involving live specimens.
• •Keep teaching laboratories fully stocked and functional.
• •Test laboratory media and materials to assure laboratory exercises will function properly.
• •Store, work with, and properly dispose laboratory materials, both chemical and biological, in accordance with safe laboratory practices.
• •Cleans laboratory benches and supplies between laboratory sections and upon completion of labs each week.

Laboratory Coordination

• •Purchase, stock, and inventory all supplies for the general biology I and II laboratories.
• •Maintain detailed purchasing records.
• •Schedule maintenance on laboratory equipment to ensure uninterrupted function of laboratory sessions.
• •Identify, troubleshoot, and communicate present and potential problems concerning laboratory preparations or the student use of laboratories.
• •Recommend updates and improvements for General Biology laboratories and communicates effectively General Biology Faculty Coordinator to modify or create new laboratory exercises.
• •Collaborate with General Biology Faculty coordinator in revision and publication of the lab manual for General Biology courses.
• •Instructs part-time lab instructors on proper execution of laboratory exercises and/or techniques.
• •Attends monthly AHEC Environmental Health and Safety meetings and adheres to safety guidelines.
• •Trains laboratory instructors and lab personnel in proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials and laboratory safety procedures.

Supervision of General Biology Laboratory Work Study Students

• •Interviews and hires work study student employees.
• •Effectively trains or oversees the training of student lab assistants to prepare media, reagents, and lab supplies; set-up and breakdown lab materials; clean lab benches, glassware, equipment, etc; proper use of laboratory equipment; laboratory safety and proper handling of biohazardous and chemical waste.
• •Determines work study student assistant’s schedules.

Laboratory Teaching

• •Teaches at least one General Biology I or II laboratory section per year. This includes all aspects of laboratory instruction, including pre-lab lectures, laboratory set-up and demonstrations, preparation and grading of lab practical exams, writing and grading quizzes, and assignment of final course grades by established university deadlines.
• •Teaches additional lab sections as needed on an emergency basis to cover for instructors who are out with illness or an emergency.

Other Duties as Assigned

Job Competencies

• •Leads with values by modeling CADRE values through coaching, clear expectations, accountability, and conflict resolution that strengthens trust and team effectiveness
• •Leads operational excellence by aligning team workflows to departmental goals, managing capacity, supporting performance management, and ensuring compliance through clear communication
• •Leads with purpose by translating strategic goals into clear team priorities, guiding decision-making, and supporting employees through change
• •Fosters collaboration by creating an inclusive team culture, encouraging participation, and connecting people and resources to strengthen collective work
• •Promotes equity and belonging by mitigating bias, elevating diverse voices, and responding to the needs of individuals and teams with care and fairness
• •Leads innovation by encouraging professional growth, leveraging diverse perspectives, and supporting creative solutions that improve team effectiveness

Job Skills and Knowledge

Some of the characteristics essential to the success of the Lab Coordinator I include:

• •Ethical Behavior: Understand ethical behavior to ensure one’s own behavior and the behavior of others are consistent with MSU Denver/BIO standards and values.
• •Independence and Efficiency: Ability to work and make decisions independently to meet deadlines and to work within budgetary constraints.
• •Building Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others both internally (faculty, staff, and students) and externally (vendors) to achieve the goals of the organization.
• •Communicating Effectively: Speak, listen, and write in a clear,