Laboratory Program Director

Staff - Non Union

Job Category: M&P - AAPS Job Profile: AAPS Salaried - Educational Programming, Level B Job Title: Laboratory Program Director Department: Administrative Leadership | Department of Chemistry | Faculty of Science Compensation Range: $6,251.00 - $8,986.00 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date: April 17, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job Summary

The Laboratory Program Director is responsible for the Department of Chemistry second-year undergraduate organic laboratory program. Responsibilities include the planning, development, assessment and delivery of the educational program (currently encompassing CHEM 203, 235, 245) over Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer sessions.

Organizational Status
The Laboratory Program Director is independently responsible for the efficient operation of the array of second-year organic laboratory courses within the Department of Chemistry. This position will interact with faculty members assigned to second-year CHEM courses and the Department Curriculum Committee. In addition, this position will interact with faculty in Vantage College to fully assess and satisfy the requirements of that academic unit. Reports to the Department Head and the Chemistry Department Director of Finance and Operations. This individual works in a large, culturally diverse, busy laboratory environment with undergraduate students from all units on campus.

Work Performed

• Creates and manages the budget for the second-year organic laboratory program: responsible forecasting, preparation and monitoring of budgets and expenses for standard equipment and consumables to enable the delivery of the educational program.

• Creates and implements department policies, systems and best practices for student and worker health and chemical safety, security and privacy in the second-year laboratory environment.

• Assesses laboratory programs to satisfy appropriate student learning goals; redesigns laboratory curriculum and experiments to better meet student learning goals. It is noted that specialized programs, materials and tutorials are required for Vantage ESL students.

• Designs and writes course materials including laboratory manuals, teaching assistant manuals, safety and pedagogical guidelines for teaching assistants, answer keys, and on-line materials for the laboratory course website.

• Responsible for setting and maintaining the learning objectives within the second-year organic laboratory program commensurate with the UBC academic standards of excellence.

• Delivers the first-year chemistry laboratory program as required.

• Responsible for conflict resolution for undergraduate students, teaching assistants and laboratory personnel. When required, will report academic misconduct to the appropriate Department position.

• Responsible for undergraduate students’ health and safety within the laboratory environment.

• Recruits and trains staff and teaching assistants for the course: designs, develops and delivers training programs and materials to prepare personnel for laboratory teaching, especially for the guided inquiry methodology used in the laboratory course.

• Manages up to sixty (60) instructional personnel in the teaching laboratories.

• Responsible for the planning and scheduling of course content, and instructional staff (TA) assignments. Assesses personnel to ensure that pedagogical methodology is sustained and that the technical skills of students are developed according to prescribed standards.

• Manages conflict resolution for teaching assistants and laboratory personnel and is responsible for disciplinary action and termination of teaching assistants.

• Prepares long range plans for the delivery of educational programming: experiment and technology development, including equipment purchases and renewal.

• Responsible for the instructional technology targeted for laboratory instruction (e.g., web-based simulations and/or experiments, or online testing).

• Supervises laboratory technicians, Work Learn and Summer students.

• Responsible for the acquisition of funding to support personnel for laboratory development.

• Manages relationships with Second Year Laboratory stakeholders internal and external to the Department as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Laboratory Program Director is responsible for the second-year organic chemistry undergraduate program. Poor decisions and errors in judgement could result in delays in instruction, result in financial loss and damage the reputation of the Department of Chemistry, the Faculty of Science, Vantage College, and the University of British Columbia. In addition, potential errors in carrying out the responsibilities of this position could lead to unsafe laboratory conditions which will jeopardize the health and safety of hundreds of students, teaching assistants, and faculty.

Working below the UBC s academic standard of excellence could potentially damage curriculum integrity and jeopardize the learning outcomes of UBC undergraduate students. The consequence could lead to ineffective and inappropriate prerequisite information for students.

Supervision Received
This position works independently and interacts with second-year instructional faculty. Reports directly to the Director of Finance and Operations and has a dotted line report to the Chemistry Department Head.

Supervision Given
This position manages one laboratory technician, up to 50 graduate teaching assistants, 10 undergraduate teaching assistants, Work Learn and Summer students, and other instructional personnel involved in the academic and technical support of the undergraduate laboratory. Responsible for hiring, discipline, evaluation of all staff/students associated with the course.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of four years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in Education, Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Environmental Chemistry. MSc preferred. At least 3 years program management experience in a busy laboratory setting.

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and intercultural skills required.

Ability to exercise initiative, judgment, tact and diplomacy.

Ability to multitask and meet deadlines.

Excellent organization and coordination skills.

Experience working with ESL students.

Effective curriculum and instructional design and techniques.

Ability to work independently and in a busy team environment.

Strong leadership and supervisory skills required.