Description

About the Job

This is a full-time, year-round position reporting to the Dean of the School of Science and Engineering (SSE) and the Vice President of Academic Affairs. In cooperation with the faculty from the School of Science and Engineering, the Laboratory Coordinator & Instructor works to organize and prepare lab materials, and design, maintain and prepare laboratories and equipment used to support lecture and lab instruction in the sciences. This person will stock, prepare, and maintain all equipment and reagents for all SSE Laboratories. In role of Instructor, the position includes developing and teaching four sections of laboratory courses each semester in cooperation with the faculty of the School, equating to 50% load. The lab coordinator is also responsible for hiring and managing student laboratory and teaching assistants, for the hiring and training of all SSE student employees. The Laboratory Coordinator is responsible for managing all chemical inventory, hazardous waste and laboratory equipment in conjunction with the faculty.

About CCU

Colorado Christian University is the premier interdenominational Christian university in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, delivering world class education to thousands of students. The fully accredited, nonprofit University is located in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver.

Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914.  CCU’s motto is--grace and truth. This motto comes from John 1.14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (ESV) 

CCU's mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth.

Colorado Christian University cultivates knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement with the world. We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards, embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, treasure the gospel, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world in their callings.

CCU embraces an educational model that was present at the foundation of many of the great western and American universities. It is made up of three pillars—competence, character and Christ-centered faith. Secular universities have abandoned two of those pillars. We think this is a major oversight that eventually undermines education. Furthermore, we believe this classical educational model is both life-giving and greatly needed in our time.

A leader in higher education, CCU has been consistently ranked in the top 2 percent of colleges and universities nationwide for its core curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. CCU has had ten consecutive years of enrollment growth and has been named one of the five fastest-growing master’s granting universities by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

CCU offers more than 200 degree program options for traditional and adult students through its two colleges--the College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Adult and Graduate Studies. More than 9,000 students attend the University on the main campus, in regional centers throughout Colorado, and online.

What is most appealing about working at CCU?

1. Faith-friendly: CCU’s culture is unique to higher education. Where else can you pursue academic excellence yet read the Holy Bible, pray with teammates and students at work, and work to impact our culture in support of Christian values?
2. Convictionally Christian: As a university, we have an enduring commitment to Christ, his kingdom and the truth of God’s Word.
3. Live out your calling: We are a traditional evangelical university where you can invest your God-given talents and abilities alongside coworkers and teammates, while having a profound influence on students as they deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
4. Equip students for kingdom work: You can be a part of helping students discover their callings and preparing them for positions of significant leadership in the church, business, government, education, and other professions, as a key part of our University's Strategic Priorities.

Requirements

We’re looking for candidates who have:

1. Master’s degree in science.
2. Experience working in academic laboratories.
3. An interest in instruction and student interaction.
4. Familiarity with standard undergraduate science labs with the ability to set-up, test, and troubleshoot new or existing labs.
5. Ability to handle and maintain laboratory equipment, lab chemicals, and lab waste in compliance with prudent safety practice.
6. Aptitude in the use and routine maintenance of standard laboratory and office equipment.
7. A commitment to service with excellence, learning, integrity, innovation, inclusiveness, communication, and collaboration in the performance of their job duties.

Key Job Duties

1. Contribute to CCU’s mission: CCU provides Christ-centered higher education to transform students to impact the world with grace and truth. The School of Science and Engineering Laboratory Coordinator & Instructor will contribute to this mission by engaging with and serving our undergraduate students inside and outside the lab as they provide best practice lab experiences, mentor students, and collaborate with faculty and staff to enhance and advance exemplary academics, spiritual growth, and engagement with the world.
2. Develop and teach four sections of laboratory courses each semester in cooperation with the faculty of the School, equating to 50% load.
3. Develop curriculum and design laboratory courses as appropriate based on availability of equipment, reagents, and resources. Collaborate with faculty regarding revisions and updates to labs as appropriate based on student experience.
4. Instruct students in lab and ensure experiments are conducted in a safe and efficient manner, demonstrating appropriate techniques and common laboratory practices and skills.
5. Manage, hire, and train student laboratory assistants and teaching assistants.
6. Manage laboratory set up and preparation, maintaining equipment, materials and supplies necessary for all laboratories and exercises including purchasing, inventorying and re-stocking.
7. Setup and take down materials for General Biology, General Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, and Integrated Physical Science labs. This includes: making solutions, reagents, and media as appropriate; managing and maintaining equipment; and overseeing all laboratory facilities.
8. Participate in American Chemical Society safety training/certification as the CCU Lab Safety Officer. Stay up to date with current safety standards and regulations whilst ensuring the labs are in compliance.
9. Track usage of chemicals, specimens, safety, and laboratory equipment to ensure adequate supply of materials for exercises with minimum waste. Acquire chemicals, glassware, plastic ware, and other consumable supplies for science laboratories.
10. Create and maintain proper storage, appropriate handling and disposal of organic and inorganic chemicals and biological wastes in accordance to regulatory requirements. Keep computer-based inventory of chemicals in the science stockroom and keep Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) of all chemicals in stock updated.
11. Complete additional responsibilities as determined by the Dean of the School of Science and Engineering.

Work Environment

Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work. This may involve some lifting, carrying, moving, pushing and/or pulling of objects/materials of light weight (15-20 pounds). Work occasional irregular hours, including some nights and weekends. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Colorado Christian University expects all faculty and staff to become a part of the University community by participating in activities and events that occur on the campus throughout the year, which may occur during evenings and weekends.

What we offer our employees:

We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to all employees. Our benefit package includes: a tuition waiver program, excellent healthcare, generous paid time off, matching 403(b) retirement plan, and additional organizational paid benefits and voluntary benefit offerings. Pay and benefits will be discussed in more detail as candidates progress through the interview process.

Colorado Christian University’s pay philosophy is based on internal and external data for pay equity; along with budgetary considerations for effective stewardship. Pay will be assigned based on relevant experience. We reserve the right to pay an equitable rate that we believe is within our salary structure or that may fit a candidate’s qualifications or experience for the job. A wage range posted is not a guarantee of a specific wage range for a job offer. CCU reserves the right to make pay decisions based on economic and equity considerations to attract the best possible talent. CCU does not determine pay based on sex or any other protected status.