Location: Syracuse, NY
Category: Professional
Job Type: Full-time
Posted On: Fri Jul 17 2026
Job Description:
Title: Instructional Support Specialist
Unit: Analytical and Technical Services
Professional Rank and Salary: SL 4, $64,474 to $75,000 DOQ
Location: Syracuse
Job Summary
The Analytical and Technical Services (A&TS) unit provides specialized, customer-focused, value-added support services contributing to the ESF's instruction, research and public service. Analytical and Technical Services manages several shared resource analytical laboratories, maintains a chemical/laboratory apparatus stockroom, and provides support for research and instruction.
The Instructional Support Specialist manages, supervises, maintains and operates the A&TS "Inorganics Analysis" laboratory comprised of instruments including Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES), Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS), Laser Ablation with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS) and Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA) as well as ancillary equipment for sample preparation.
The ISS provides instructional support to ESF lab-based advanced chemistry courses, including individualized training to ESF students, ESF faculty and external academic research collaborators engaged in sponsored research.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Provide College-wide services to ESF researchers and collaborators by performing the spectrometric analysis of inorganics using ICP-OES, ICP-MS, LA-ICP-MS, and DMA; interpreting and evaluating data; maintaining records; and writing reports.
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Collaborate with researchers in the design, development and implementation of sophisticated routine and non-routine research projects for various environmental media requiring inorganics analysis.
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Provide instructional support for ESF instructors and researchers in the proper sample preparation, operation and maintenance of analytical equipment, interpretation of data, and experimental design for the ICP facilities.
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Manage the operation and scheduling of the Inorganics Lab facilities by researchers to protect the equipment and to maintain efficient utilization rates.
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Develop analytical methods for inorganics analysis using current literature and expertise to achieve appropriate quality control and to provide data quality assurance to A&TS customers.
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Perform routine maintenance on instruments in the Inorganics Lab facilities. Maintain records of maintenance and repair issues. Purchase parts and supplies for equipment to minimize downtime. Schedule repair and service calls with manufacturers' authorized service providers.
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Maintain a database for each instrument's billing for internal and external customers. Submit monthly billing reports to the Director.
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Maintain the lab facilities following recommended industry housekeeping practices to provide a safe and healthy work environment. Follow best management practices for chemical and sample storage, sample disposal, and hazardous waste disposal.
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Support A&TS Director's unit administration, including web-based communications, billing, planning and budgeting.
Job Requirements:
Required Qualifications:
- B.S. Chemistry or related field
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Three years of relevant working experience with inorganics and mercury analytical methods. M.S. or PhD degree may be used as experience credit.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Able to work independently with minimal supervision
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Ability to create and maintain collaborative relationships with customers
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M.S. Chemistry or related field
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Supervision of student workers in academic setting.
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Knowledge of pedagogical practices or training on analytical instrumentation
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Functional knowledge of MS365 including Teams and data management practices
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Written communication skills, including preparation of proposals and technical reports
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Ability to develop and support a collegial lab environment for users
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Experience with cost and revenue analysis
Additional Information:
About the College of Environmental Science and Forestry Ranger School:
ESF is a specialized college within the 64-campus SUNY system, and the Ranger School is a regional campus of ESF where the College's Associate degree programs are delivered. With an annual enrollment of 50-60 students living in residence during the academic year, a close-knit community of learners, faculty, and staff work together to accomplish a field-intensive learning experience. Ranger School education occurs on the 2,800-acre Dubuar Memorial Forest and adjacent state preserve lands. Located inside the Adirondack Park, numerous opportunities exist for experiential coursework, research, and public outreach.
Located in southern St. Lawrence County, Wanakena is a small community of less than 100 year-round residents and a vibrant summer community of several hundred, located on the upper reaches of Cranberry Lake at the mouth of the Oswegatchie River. Cultural events occur throughout the summer at Wanakena's Z-Park, and Otto's Abode offers fresh produce and other groceries, camping supplies, and other needs. Wanakena is located midway between the larger towns of Star Lake and Cranberry Lake, with access to medical services, fire and emergency services, gas and convenience stores. Larger towns including access to grocery stores, big box stores, university services and more are within a 1.5 hour drive of Wanakena.
Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at [email protected]
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act" institutions of higher education are required to prepare an annual report containing information on campus security policies and campus statistics. This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by SUNY-ESF; and on property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a printed copy of this report by contacting SUNY-ESF University Police at 315-470-6667 or by accessing the following web site: http://www.esf.edu/univpolice/crimereports/
SUNY ESF is a Smoke and Tobacco Free campus and is dedicated to providing a healthy and safe environment for the entire campus. For more information you can visit our Tobacco and Smoke Free Policy at https://www.esf.edu/au/documents/ESF Tobacco Free.pdf
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse community that promotes equity and inclusion for all its members. Diversity that arises from differences such as, but not limited to, gender, race, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, national origin, or religious traditions is central and indispensable to the institutional excellence and mission of the College.
ESF is actively recruiting diverse faculty of all backgrounds. In efforts and our commitment to the goal of building a diverse workforce we are participating in PRODiG. PRODiG ("Promoting Recruitment, Opportunity, Diversity, Inclusion and Growth") aims to increase the representation of historically underrepresented faculty at SUNY including underrepresented minority ("URM") faculty in general and women faculty of all races in STEM fields ("WSTEM"). https://www.suny.edu/prodig/
SUNY-ESF is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
