Penn State Job Catalog

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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:

– Senior Manager

Base Description:

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

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates advanced skills in critical functions related to unit's success. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of emerging technologies and processes. Monitors completed work of others to ensure effectiveness and adherence to requirements. Sets clear expectations and holds team accountable. Establishes a shared team/unit vision. Demonstrates ability to evaluate and enhance team/unit practices that promote a strong commitment to inclusionary practices. Coaches others using appropriate strategies. Demonstrates diplomacy. Demonstrates ability to serve as liaison between senior-level management and staff. Resolves complex, controversial, or unprecedented issues and problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Oversees large team or teams of individual contributors and/or supervisors/managers
– Leads a department or functional area

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Monitors and tracks large budgets
– Plans, forecasts, and/or develops budgets
– May approve budgets for specific area
– Typically has final signature authority for specific area

Problem Solving:

– Encounters highly varied and complex problems that impacts the team and possibly the unit
– Develops creative and/or novel approaches to resolve problems that are difficult in nature
– Independently resolves complex and/or unprecedented issues and problems

Independence of Action:

– Work results are not clearly defined
– Generally sets own goals and determines how to accomplish results with few or no guidelines to follow
– Monitors completed work of others to ensure soundness of approach, effectiveness of meeting requirements, the feasibility of recommendations and adherences to requirements
– Delegates more 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
– Fosters collaboration between units and engages others' coordinated efforts to reach desired outcomes with broad scope

• Comp Grade – 14
• Minimum – $97,100.00
• MidPoint – $121,400.00
• Maximum – $145,700.00