What are the responsibilities and job description for the Soil Testing Laboratory Manager position at Virginia Tech?
Job Description
The position serves as the senior manager of the Virginia Tech Soil Testing Laboratory, a complex, revenue generating operation that processes more than 50,000 soil samples annually and generates over $150,000 in service revenue. The role has primary responsibility for strategically directing laboratory operations that support Virginia Cooperative Extension, public clientele, agribusiness, and university research. The position oversees the delivery of scientifically defensible soil fertility analyses and fertilizer and lime recommendations that have statewide agricultural, environmental, and economic impact, as well as thousands of elemental analyses in support of externally funded research programs.
The position exercises broad managerial authority over personnel, finances, compliance, and operational systems. Responsibilities include hiring, supervising, evaluating, and developing all salaried and hourly staff; administering multiple operating budgets, revenue and recharge accounts, and an instrument replacement fund; and ensuring compliance with University financial, safety, and regulatory requirements while serving as Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Officer. The position directs all quality assurance and analytical performance standards, oversees laboratory infrastructure including major instrumentation and information management systems, and leads continuous improvement initiatives that modernize workflows, expand services, and increase efficiency. It represents the laboratory to Extension, regulatory agencies, researchers, and external stakeholders, providing institutional leadership, technical oversight, and decision making authority consistent with a senior laboratory management role.
Required Qualifications
Masters degree in Agronomy, Soil Science or Soil Chemistry, or related area; and/or equivalent training and work experience. Considerable knowledge of methods for fertility analysis of soil and experience with similar laboratory equipment. Ability to supervise, including selection, training, instruction and evaluation. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with and between employees. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with the public, extension and research personnel providing relevant information on laboratory methodology and fertilizer & lime recommendations. Skill in repairing/maintaining the instrumental and computer components of the laboratory.
Preferred Qualifications
MS degree in the sciences.
Pay Band
5
Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Regular
Salary Information
Commensurate with Experience
Hours per week
40
Review Date
05/08/2026
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Dr. Rory Maguire at rmaguire@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
The position serves as the senior manager of the Virginia Tech Soil Testing Laboratory, a complex, revenue generating operation that processes more than 50,000 soil samples annually and generates over $150,000 in service revenue. The role has primary responsibility for strategically directing laboratory operations that support Virginia Cooperative Extension, public clientele, agribusiness, and university research. The position oversees the delivery of scientifically defensible soil fertility analyses and fertilizer and lime recommendations that have statewide agricultural, environmental, and economic impact, as well as thousands of elemental analyses in support of externally funded research programs.
The position exercises broad managerial authority over personnel, finances, compliance, and operational systems. Responsibilities include hiring, supervising, evaluating, and developing all salaried and hourly staff; administering multiple operating budgets, revenue and recharge accounts, and an instrument replacement fund; and ensuring compliance with University financial, safety, and regulatory requirements while serving as Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Officer. The position directs all quality assurance and analytical performance standards, oversees laboratory infrastructure including major instrumentation and information management systems, and leads continuous improvement initiatives that modernize workflows, expand services, and increase efficiency. It represents the laboratory to Extension, regulatory agencies, researchers, and external stakeholders, providing institutional leadership, technical oversight, and decision making authority consistent with a senior laboratory management role.
Required Qualifications
Masters degree in Agronomy, Soil Science or Soil Chemistry, or related area; and/or equivalent training and work experience. Considerable knowledge of methods for fertility analysis of soil and experience with similar laboratory equipment. Ability to supervise, including selection, training, instruction and evaluation. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with and between employees. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with the public, extension and research personnel providing relevant information on laboratory methodology and fertilizer & lime recommendations. Skill in repairing/maintaining the instrumental and computer components of the laboratory.
Preferred Qualifications
MS degree in the sciences.
Pay Band
5
Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Regular
Salary Information
Commensurate with Experience
Hours per week
40
Review Date
05/08/2026
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Dr. Rory Maguire at rmaguire@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Salary : $150,000