Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Agricultural and Environmental Lab

The Agricultural and Environmental Lab Manager provides daily oversight of the Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory; manages workflows for all testing programs to promote high quality, efficient, and innovative testing services; ensures laboratory compliance with accreditation and certification requirements through the management of quality assurance testing, documentation processes, and standard operating procedures; oversees the laboratory information management system to enhance data collection and reporting capabilities; manages laboratory operations related to budget, resources, scheduling, equipment, and facility improvements.

• Provide leadership and direction for all testing programs within the laboratory, including soil, media, water, plants, manure, compost, and biosolids

• Oversee workflows to ensure the effective delivery of services with a focus on quality, efficiency, innovation, and long-term scalability

• Manage laboratory staff, including all hiring, training, evaluation, and professional development activities

• Oversee quality assurance programs for each laboratory testing program; assess, revise, and ensure that all standard operating procedures are followed 

• Ensure that the laboratory meets state accreditation requirements; compile, maintain, and review quality control/quality assurance documentation for all staff, including initial and ongoing demonstrations of capability; ensure that proficiency testing is completed annually and audit requirements are met

• Identify opportunities to expand services and promote program growth; develop relationships with the larger research, extension, and education community within the college to advance the research, service, and outreach mission of the laboratory

• Research and develop novel procedures and techniques for analyzing environmental samples; provide input for the testing and adoption of new methods; promote the activities and emerging technologies of the lab through tours and demonstrations

• Optimize the laboratory information management system to ensure accurate data review and efficient reporting; update and develop new report features and work with technical teams to enhance reporting capabilities, accuracy, and efficacy

• Develop and administer the laboratory budget; allocate resources; identify cost containment measures and maximize revenue sources

• Collaborate with clients regarding available services; analytical procedures and capabilities; test results

• May serve as laboratory safety officer; oversee safety inspections, training requirements, and best practices related to hazardous materials

• Identify laboratory facility improvements needed; facilitate equipment maintenance and repair; participate in facility upgrade projects; collaborate with facilities personnel, contractors, and vendors

• Oversee equipment, supplies, labware purchases, ordering, inventory, maintenance, repairs, and storage; secure competitive pricing; establish and maintain vendor and sales representative relationships

Level:

– Manager

Base Description:

– Manages direct reports where primary duty is the management of a working unit.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates proficient ability in work design, project management, financial planning and development of goals for accomplishing unit assignments. Reviews and guides work to ensure conformity to policy and effective approaches. Evaluates employee performance and recommend development opportunities. Demonstrates ability to coach employees. Presents and communicates key university indicatives and connects it to unit contributions. Provides broad guidelines. Develops, evaluates, enhances, and/or implements quality improvement practices. Recommends innovative solutions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Oversees a team (typically 4 or more; no fewer than 2) full
– time direct reports of individual contributors and/or first level supervisors.

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Monitors and tracks department/area budget
– May plan, forecast, and/or assist in developing budgets
– May have final signature authority for specific area

Problem Solving:

– Encounters varied and complex problems
– Helps to develop creative and/or novel approaches to resolve problems that are difficult in nature but within limited scope
– Modifies, adapts, or refines guidelines if necessary to resolve issues or problems

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on complex or strategic assignments
– Uses existing practices and advanced working knowledge to determine appropriate work methods for the team
– Reviews completed work of others for conformity to policy, and effectiveness of approach
– Delegates advanced tasks to others

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members and various areas across the University
– Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and delivers to a broad variety of audiences
– Communicates key university initiatives and how unit’s work contributes to their achievement
– Presents ideas, concepts and instructions in a clear manner, and uses persuasion and negotiation to build consensus and cooperation
– Establishes and maintains networks to facilitate successful communication among units

• Comp Grade – 10
• Minimum – $61,800.00
• MidPoint – $75,700.00
• Maximum – $89,600.00