Title: Lab & Research Specialist II - Fauquier Campus
Agency: Laurel Ridge Community College
Location: Fauquier - 061
FLSA: Nonexempt
Hiring Range: The hiring range for this position is $49,239.90-$66,473.10.
Full Time or Part Time: Full Time
Additional Detail
Job Description:
This is a quasi-full time position, scheduled for 36 hours per week over 12 months of the year. Please note that this is not a research-focused position.
This position supports faculty in delivering science laboratory instruction by preparing materials, setting up and breaking down lab activities, and assisting during class sessions. Key responsibilities include preparing chemical solutions, culturing bacteria, cultivating lab materials, and operating specialized equipment such as autoclaves, incinerators, and incubators. The role also involves hazardous waste disposal and maintaining compliance with safety protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment. Procurement through eVa is a minimal backup responsibility, performed with supervisor approval. The employee works collaboratively with other lab staff to ensure all lab preparation is covered and that faculty feel supported across instructional activities. Work hours may include daytime, evenings, and weekends, and duties may extend to other college locations as needed. The schedule is subject to change each semester based on class offerings and instructional needs.
Compensation and Benefits
The hiring range for this position is $49,239.90-$66,473.10. The position is quasi-full time classified staff and as such is eligible for the benefits package offered by the Commonwealth of Virginia for state agencies. For more information, please visit www.dhrm.virginia.gov.
Laurel Ridge Community College is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a diverse environment, and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Laurel Ridge will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in order to provide access to the application, interviewing, and selection process. Please email
[email protected] for further information.
Sponsorship of an employee's work authorization takes time and requires an ongoing financial investment. Therefore, Laurel Ridge Community College does not have funding to sponsor potential employees in the US on a work visa. We consistently follow this funding model to ensure our practices are not discriminatory. Exceptions would require approval from the college president.
Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. While honoring bona fide occupational exceptions as needed, the college shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including lactation, age, status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. The college also promotes a safe working environment and prohibits sexual misconduct, including sexual violence and harassment. Know your rights!
1. Laboratory Operations and Technical Competence
Demonstrated knowledge of laboratory procedures, scientific principles, and technical practices necessary to support instructional science laboratories.
Measurable Indicators:
Accurately prepares laboratory materials, reagents, cultures, solutions, and equipment according to established protocols.
Demonstrates working knowledge of laboratory techniques used in Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Anatomy & Physiology, and related science disciplines.
Operates laboratory equipment safely and effectively following standard operating procedures.
Maintains laboratory readiness to support scheduled instructional activities.
Performs laboratory preparation and support activities with minimal errors and limited supervision.
2. Laboratory Safety and Regulatory Compliance
Demonstrated ability to maintain a safe laboratory environment and ensure compliance with applicable regulations, safety protocols, and institutional procedures.
Measurable Indicators:
Consistently follows laboratory safety procedures and utilizes appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Demonstrates knowledge of chemical hygiene, SDS documentation, hazardous materials management, and waste disposal requirements.
Identifies potential safety hazards and initiates corrective action or escalation as appropriate.
Maintains required safety documentation, records, and inspections in an accurate and timely manner.
Promotes and supports a culture of safety among faculty, staff, and students.
3. Organization, Planning, and Resource Management
Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, and manage laboratory resources to support efficient instructional operations.
Measurable Indicators:
Maintains accurate inventory records for laboratory equipment, supplies, chemicals, and consumable materials.
Effectively prioritizes multiple assignments and competing deadlines.
Ensures laboratory materials and supplies are available and prepared in advance of scheduled instructional activities.
Maintains organized storage, workspaces, and records consistent with operational and safety requirements.
Anticipates resource needs and communicates shortages or procurement needs proactively.
4. Communication and Customer Service
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and provide professional support to faculty, staff, students, vendors, and external partners.
Measurable Indicators:
Communicates clearly, professionally, and respectfully in both written and verbal formats.
Effectively collaborates with faculty to support instructional needs and laboratory operations.
Provides timely and accurate information regarding laboratory activities, inventory concerns, safety issues, and operational needs.
Demonstrates professionalism when addressing concerns, resolving conflicts, or responding to changing priorities.
Builds and maintains positive working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
5. Initiative, Independent Judgment, and Problem Solving
Demonstrated ability to independently identify operational needs, prioritize work, and take appropriate action to support laboratory operations with minimal supervision following training.
Measurable Indicators:
Independently identifies tasks, projects, and operational needs without requiring continual direction.
Anticipates laboratory, inventory, equipment, and safety needs before they negatively impact instruction.
Applies sound judgment when resolving routine operational issues and determining when supervisory guidance is necessary.
Demonstrates initiative by recommending and implementing improvements to laboratory operations, safety or organization.
Maintains productive use of work time by proactively identifying and completing ongoing work, projects, and operational needs.
Additional Considerations:
The following are preferred qualifications for this role:
1. Advanced Scientific Knowledge
Advanced knowledge in Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, or a closely related scientific discipline.
Measurable Indicators:
Demonstrates advanced understanding of scientific concepts relevant to instructional laboratories.
Applies scientific knowledge to support faculty and laboratory operations.
Demonstrates familiarity with college-level laboratory coursework and instructional environments.
Supports multiple science disciplines with limited guidance.
2. Instructional Laboratory Preparation Experience
Experience preparing and supporting instructional science laboratories in educational, research, healthcare, government, or industry settings.
Measurable Indicators:
Demonstrated laboratory work experience outside academic coursework.
Experience preparing laboratory exercises, reagents, cultures, and materials.
Experience supporting multiple laboratory courses or disciplines simultaneously.
Demonstrates understanding of laboratory workflow and instructional timelines.
Experience providing direct support to instructors, researchers, or laboratory personnel.
3. Scientific Equipment Operation and Maintenance
Experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and calibrating laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
Measurable Indicators:
Demonstrates proficiency operating common laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
Performs routine maintenance, calibration, and quality control procedures.
Troubleshoots equipment issues and identifies appropriate corrective actions.
Maintains equipment records, service logs, and documentation.
Demonstrates familiarity with equipment used in biology, chemistry, and microbiology laboratories.
Examples may include:
Autoclaves , Incubators, Spectrophotometers, Microscopes, Centrifuges, Balances, Electrophoresis equipment
Micropipettes
4. Procurement, Inventory, and Budget Support
Experience supporting inventory management, purchasing, budget monitoring, and procurement activities.
Measurable Indicators:
Experience maintaining inventory databases or inventory management systems.
Processes purchase requests and supply orders accurately and efficiently.
Demonstrates familiarity with state purchasing requirements, eVa, or similar procurement systems.
Monitors inventory usage trends and assists with budget planning.
Maintains accurate purchasing documentation and records.
5. Hazardous Materials and Chemical Management Experience
Experience managing chemical inventories and hazardous materials in accordance with laboratory safety regulations and best practices.
Measurable Indicators:
Maintains chemical inventories and hazardous material records.
Demonstrates experience handling, storing, transporting, and disposing of hazardous materials.
Maintains SDS documentation and compliance records.
Participates in laboratory inspections, safety audits, or compliance reviews.
Demonstrates knowledge of applicable OSHA, EPA, VOSH, DOT, or laboratory safety requirements.
