Position Vacancy Announcement - Soil Testing Director

The Pennsylvania State University
College of Agricultural Sciences

Title: Director, Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory

Non Tenure Track Faculty position with rank commensurate with qualifications.

Summary of Job:

The Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory is an integral component of the education, research, and extension missions of the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. The laboratory provides testing programs for agricultural, horticultural, and environmental materials including: soil, manure, biosolids, compost, plant tissue, and water. The laboratory is accredited for environmental testing by the PA Department of Environmental Protection. The director is responsible for providing leadership and expertise in analytical testing; developing new analytical testing programs and quality control systems; researching and implementing new procedures, chemical techniques and instrumentation; development and administration of laboratory budgets, personnel management for the laboratory; and maintaining a strong collaborative relationship with extension, research, and education programs in the College.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and expertise in the area of agricultural and environmental analytical testing; participate in local, regional and national outreach activities; serve on committees and participate in programs to improve quality of analytical test results.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and cooperative extension personnel to develop and implement new testing programs that incorporate research-based recommendations and will benefit the College of Agricultural Sciences research and cooperative extension programs as well as the Pennsylvania public.
  
• Research and implement new procedures, chemical techniques and instrumentation for testing soils, plants, water and agricultural/municipal organic residues to improve accuracy of analytical results; improve efficiency of laboratory operations; and decrease generation of hazardous waste.
  
• Develop and maintain quality control systems in the testing program; ensure laboratory meets requirements to obtain/maintain PA Department of Environmental Protection accreditation; responsible for writing, maintaining and annually reviewing the laboratory Quality Assurance Manual and Standard Operating Procedures Manual.
• Responsible for evaluating and purchasing laboratory instrumentation and overseeing its operation, maintenance and repair; train laboratory personnel on use of advanced instrumentation; design or modify laboratory apparatus and forms to improve efficiency and data flow and arrange for their production.
  
• Develop and administer laboratory budgets; prepare budget projections and implement strategies to maintain laboratory as a self-supporting enterprise; authorize expenditures; recommend and implement fees for laboratory services.
  
• Along with the Lab Manager, manage assigned work staff and maintain staff's work schedules; estimate workload and organize staff to work efficiently among testing programs.
  
• Provide assistance to graduate students, faculty, and staff in selection of appropriate methodologies and to county extension educators and others in interpretation of analytical test data.
  
• Develop, maintain, and upgrade as necessary laboratory information management system including computerized data-collection, data-processing and bookkeeping software systems.
• Work with extension personnel to design and develop sample submission forms and report formats to meet clientele needs including web-based systems; oversee design of promotional and educational materials. Oversee the laboratory website.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Training: Ph.D. or equivalent knowledge with at least 24 credit hours in Chemistry

Work Related Experience: 5 years work related experience with at least 2 years of experience in testing or analysis of environmental samples.

Submission of application:

Candidates should submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae and contact information for four references (paper or electronic version) to:

Review of applications will begin April 4, 2013. Applications will be accepted until a qualified candidate is identified.

Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.