What are the responsibilities and job description for the University Lab Safety & Operations Manager position at University of Illinois Springfield?
Posting Category:
About UIS: Located in the state capital, the University of Illinois Springfield is one of three members of the University of Illinois system. The University serves more than 4,000 students in 44 graduate and 56 undergraduate programs. You are encouraged to visit the university web page at http://www.uis.edu .
Application deadline: 10/31/2025
Minimum Starting Salary: The minimum hourly rate for this position is $30.61. Final salary determination will be made commensurate with qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.
Summary:
The College of Health, Science, and Technology (CHST) at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) is seeking a full-time University Lab Manager to coordinate safety, compliance, and operational support across laboratory and field-based teaching and research environments. This role will serve as Chemical Hygiene Officer for the college and may also assume Biosafety Officer responsibilities, in coordination with Environmental Health & Safety (EHS). The Lab Manager plays a central role in ensuring compliance with institutional policies and external regulations, maintaining a safe and effective research and teaching environment, and supporting the work of faculty, staff, and students. The Lab Manager will supervise the CHST Lab Technician and student lab assistants and will collaborate closely with campus partners such as EHS, Facilities & Services, and Information Technology Services (ITS). The position reports to the CHST Associate Dean and supports coordination across departments to maintain high standards of laboratory safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. This position also offers the opportunity to teach introductory lab sections as part of CHST's academic programs, depending on qualifications and department needs. In addition, the Lab Manager will have access to professional development and training opportunities related to lab safety, research compliance, and instructional innovation.
Duties & Responsibilities:
B. Total of five (5) years (60 months) of any combination of education in a scientific discipline and/or work experience in a laboratory or similar setting related to the position.
Preferred Qualifications:
Knowledge of lab safety standards (OSHA, CDC, EPA, NIH) and applicable regulations
Strong organizational, interpersonal, and digital record keeping skills
Ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments
Employment Policies and other information:
Failure to accurately describe work experience, or failure to submit college transcripts may result in an applicant not being admitted to the exam.
UIS an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with strong institutional commitment to recruitment and retention of a diverse and inclusive community. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility .
The University of Illinois may conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law.
The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current or former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment .
Benefits eligible positions include a comprehensive benefits package which offers: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability & AD&D insurance; a defined benefit pension plan; paid leaves such as Vacation, Holiday and Sick; tuition waivers for employees and dependents. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits .
UIS employment in this role is not covered by Social Security, and instead, is covered by the State University Retirement System.
About UIS: Located in the state capital, the University of Illinois Springfield is one of three members of the University of Illinois system. The University serves more than 4,000 students in 44 graduate and 56 undergraduate programs. You are encouraged to visit the university web page at http://www.uis.edu .
Application deadline: 10/31/2025
Minimum Starting Salary: The minimum hourly rate for this position is $30.61. Final salary determination will be made commensurate with qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.
Summary:
The College of Health, Science, and Technology (CHST) at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) is seeking a full-time University Lab Manager to coordinate safety, compliance, and operational support across laboratory and field-based teaching and research environments. This role will serve as Chemical Hygiene Officer for the college and may also assume Biosafety Officer responsibilities, in coordination with Environmental Health & Safety (EHS). The Lab Manager plays a central role in ensuring compliance with institutional policies and external regulations, maintaining a safe and effective research and teaching environment, and supporting the work of faculty, staff, and students. The Lab Manager will supervise the CHST Lab Technician and student lab assistants and will collaborate closely with campus partners such as EHS, Facilities & Services, and Information Technology Services (ITS). The position reports to the CHST Associate Dean and supports coordination across departments to maintain high standards of laboratory safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. This position also offers the opportunity to teach introductory lab sections as part of CHST's academic programs, depending on qualifications and department needs. In addition, the Lab Manager will have access to professional development and training opportunities related to lab safety, research compliance, and instructional innovation.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Laboratory Safety, Compliance & Training: Maintain oversight of chemical hygiene and biosafety programs; serve as CHST’s designated Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) and potentially as Biosafety Officer, in consultation with EHS. Serve as CHST’s primary liaison to EHS, Research Administration, and Facilities regarding safety and regulatory matters. Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, NIH, CDC, and other applicable federal and state guidelines. Develop and oversee lab safety training programs and documentation for faculty, staff, and students. Coordinate inspections, audits, and incident response plans with EHS; ensure follow-up reporting and documentation. Oversee intake and risk assessment of donated equipment, materials, specimens, and chemicals. Coordinate Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) and research compliance processes.
- Personnel Supervision & Operational Oversight: Supervise the CHST Lab Technician and student lab safety assistants. Coordinate onboarding and training for new faculty, researchers, and student workers related to lab operations, safety, and compliance. Foster a collaborative and well-organized lab environment that promotes safe, inclusive, and efficient practices.
- Equipment & Procurement Coordination: Oversee lab operations planning, supply needs, and infrastructure support. Support the Lab Technician with major purchasing requests and serve as a point of contact for large equipment orders, vendor contracts, or specialized instrumentation. Coordinate vendor communications for service agreements, repairs, and preventive maintenance.
- Digital Systems & Strategic Planning: Implement and maintain digital systems for chemical inventory, equipment tracking, and safety compliance (e.g., ChemTracker). Collaborate with ITS to manage data systems that support laboratory operations and reporting. Contribute to space planning, equipment decommissioning, capital requests, and compliance with digital accessibility or federal data storage guidelines.
- Other duties as assigned.
- A. Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline closely related to the position AND two (2) years (24 months) of work experience in a laboratory or similar setting closely related to the position
B. Total of five (5) years (60 months) of any combination of education in a scientific discipline and/or work experience in a laboratory or similar setting related to the position.
- One (1) year (12 months) of supervisory and/or administrative experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in a relevant field.
- Experience in higher education or research laboratory settings.
- Familiarity with lab management or inventory software (e.g., ChemTracker).
- Experience working with purchasing or procurement systems in a scientific setting
- Experience with capital planning, equipment installation, or lab renovations
- Teaching experience in laboratory or classroom settings, particularly at the undergraduate level.
Knowledge of lab safety standards (OSHA, CDC, EPA, NIH) and applicable regulations
Strong organizational, interpersonal, and digital record keeping skills
Ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments
Employment Policies and other information:
Failure to accurately describe work experience, or failure to submit college transcripts may result in an applicant not being admitted to the exam.
UIS an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with strong institutional commitment to recruitment and retention of a diverse and inclusive community. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility .
The University of Illinois may conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law.
The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current or former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment .
Benefits eligible positions include a comprehensive benefits package which offers: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability & AD&D insurance; a defined benefit pension plan; paid leaves such as Vacation, Holiday and Sick; tuition waivers for employees and dependents. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits .
UIS employment in this role is not covered by Social Security, and instead, is covered by the State University Retirement System.
- You will not pay Social Security taxes and your earning will not be on your Social Security Record. (Your record will, however, show your Medicare wages.
- Your pension from the State Universities Retirement System may affect the amount of your:
- Social Security benefit and
- Social Security benefit as a spouse
- Please Note: All postings close at 5:00pm CST on the posting close date.***
Salary : $31