Director of Lab Operations and Budgets

This is a NON-CLASSIFIED employment opportunity and is exempt from the State Classified Personnel System. Visit the State of Colorado for Classified employment opportunities.

Purpose Statement

The Director of Lab Operations and Budgets provides leadership for the vision, direction, and implementation of initiatives as well as operational management of SEM lab facilities across the PPSC district. This includes collaboration with other managers and faculty on lab curriculum development and schedule planning, tracking department operating budgets, and forward planning with managers and department chairs for alignment with current industry standards as well as student equity and accessibility. The Director will oversee lab purchasing and receiving, lab preparation, teaching facilities, and equipment, and management of the science, engineering, and animal programs lab staff coordinators. The role includes the development of Standard Operating Procedures and Training and Hazardous Waste Protocols to ensure commitment to lab safety, consistent processes, and quality instruction. The Director demonstrates a leadership and management style that creates an atmosphere of collaboration, inclusion, and innovation.

This is a 12-month position. Position start date July 2026.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completed bachelor''s degree in a science field from a Higher Learning Commission accredited institution
• Two years of professional level work experience in a laboratory setting at a postsecondary institution, including experience in the development of Standard Operating Procedures and Training Protocols, and certification in Hazardous Waste Management and Disposal.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, financial tracking, and purchasing with a high degree of accuracy.
• Two years of supervisory experience.

Professional level experience is defined by the Colorado Division of Human Resources: A position that involves the exercise of discretion, analytical skill, judgment, personal accountability, and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, or sharing an organized body of knowledge. Colorado revised statute (C.R.S. 24-50-135(1) allows colleges to exempt positions from the State Personnel Classified System that are determined to be professional level work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completed master''s degree in a science field from a Higher Learning Commission accredited institution.
• Three or more years of professional-level work experience in a laboratory setting at a postsecondary institution, including experience in the development of Standard Operating Procedures and Training Protocols, and certification in Hazardous Waste Management and Disposal.
• Coursework, experience, or certifications in science and engineering lab management, and animal care and use.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and the ability to manage complex projects, tasks, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing professional correspondence, reports, and administrative documentation.

For full consideration, all application materials must be received by 4:00 p.m. on May 22, 2026.

Pikes Peak State College reserves the right to close the job posting once a sufficient applicant pool has been obtained.

Must be a State of Colorado resident or able to relocate to Colorado prior to first date of employment.

Visa support is not available for this position.

Application Instructions: Application must be submitted online. Incomplete applications may not receive full consideration. A complete application will include:

• Cover letter - Address the minimum and preferred qualifications in the order listed on the job announcement.
• Resume - Reflect experience, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Unofficial Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts for all degrees conferred. Official transcripts are required if hired for the position.
• Professional References - Provide names and contact information for three recent professional references who can address your expertise and background for this position.

This position may be eligible for a variety of employee benefits. Pikes Peak State College participates in the Colorado Public Employees'' Retirement Association (PERA) contribution rates.

Note: Prior submission of application materials will not be considered.

Essential Functions

Laboratory Operations Leadership

• Provide oversight for Engineering, Science, and Animal Laboratories.
• Supervise and evaluate Lab Coordinators; provide leadership, training, and professional development.
• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive SOPs for all laboratory operations.
• Establish and oversee laboratory safety programs in compliance with OSHA, EPA, state, and institutional regulations.
• Ensure development and maintenance of safety manuals, chemical hygiene plans, equipment training documentation, and risk mitigation procedures.
• Oversee preventive maintenance schedules and major equipment repairs.
• Implement and maintain certification tracking and compliance systems for specialized and high-value equipment.
• Ensure calibration, inspection, and recertification of equipment occurs within required timelines.
• Support faculty in developing new laboratory curriculum, equipment needs, and safe operational procedures.
• Oversee lab space planning and utilization in renovated and existing facilities.

Science Laboratory Operations (Life, Earth, Physics, Chemistry)

• Provide operational oversight of instructional labs supporting biology, earth science, chemistry, and physics courses.
• Ensure proper chemical inventory management, storage, segregation, and hazardous waste disposal procedures are in place and compliant.
• Oversee development and maintenance of SOPs for chemical handling, instrumentation use, laboratory demonstrations, and experiment setup.
• Ensure proper functioning, calibration, and certification (where required) of analytical and instructional equipment such as balances, spectrophotometers, fume hoods, autoclaves, microscopes, and physics apparatus.
• Coordinate with faculty to support new laboratory experiments, equipment acquisitions, and updated safety protocols.
• Ensure laboratory preparation, cleaning standards, and instructional support processes are effectively managed by science lab coordinators.
• Monitor compliance with Chemical Hygiene Plans and laboratory safety training requirements.

Engineering Laboratory Development

• Lead operational startup of new Aerospace and Electrical Engineering labs.
• Develop infrastructure for management of advanced and specialized equipment.
• Establish asset tracking, maintenance logs, certification documentation, and compliance monitoring systems for large and complex equipment.
• Ensure safe integration of mechanical, dynamics, electrical, and aerospace systems into instructional labs.
• Collaborate with Executive Dean and Director of Engineering to create ongoing lab operations management plan, to include duties to be managed by the Engineering Director/Faculty vs. the Lab Director/Coordinator of Rampart Science & Engineering Labs.

Animal Laboratory Oversight

• Ensure humane care and ethical treatment of instructional animals.
• Maintain compliance with institutional and regulatory animal care standards.
• Develop SOPs for animal handling, housing, sanitation, and instructional use.
• Oversee documentation related to animal health, facility sanitation, and regulatory compliance.

Budget Management & Financial Oversight

• Manage all departmental budgets within the SEM Division.
• Track monthly expenditures and analyze spending trends.
• Develop annual budget projections and long-term capital equipment planning strategies.
• Collaborate with department chairs and faculty on major equipment purchases.
• Review and approve purchase requisitions; manage purchase orders and vendor payments.
• Establish and maintain vendor contracts, service agreements, and equipment maintenance contracts.
• Oversee funding and payment for major maintenance, repairs, inspections, and required certifications.
• Prepare financial and operational reports for divisional leadership.
• Identify cost efficiency while maintaining quality and compliance standards.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional laboratory regulations.
• Oversee chemical inventory systems and hazardous waste management.
• Coordinate laboratory safety inspections, audits, and corrective action plans.
• Maintain documentation related to equipment certifications, inspections, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop emergency response procedures for laboratory incidents.

Additional Duties

• Participate in strategic planning for lab growth and new program development.
• Evaluate lab staffing on an annual basis, and request budget and staffing adjustments to Executive Dean and College Leadership with justifications as needed.
• Evaluate laboratory facilities, and request renovations and refurbishments to College Leadership as needed.
• Support accreditation reviews and program documentation.
• Develop training programs for lab coordinators, temporary lab staff, and student workers.
• Maintain capital equipment inventories and lifecycle replacement planning.
• Serve on institutional safety, facilities, or budget committees as appropriate.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Ability to navigate differences effectively and respectfully in the workplace.
• Adhere to college policies and procedures.
• Work independently in a team environment.
• Ability to travel to multiple campuses to support department needs.
• Maintain confidentiality while working effectively with all constituents.

As part of the State of Colorado, PPSC offers a competitive benefits package:

• PERA retirement benefits.
• Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) English Spanish
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage.
• Life and Disability Coverage.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Paid Holidays.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Accrued Annual and Sick Leave.
• Some positions may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

This job description reflects Pikes Peak State College's best effort to describe the essential duties and qualifications of the job. It is not an exhaustive statement of all the duties, responsibilities or qualifications of the job. This document is not intended to exclude an opportunity for modifications consistent with providing reasonable accommodation.

EEO Statement: Pikes Peak State College is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Americans with Disabilities Act institution. We value diversity, strive for a more unified campus where all people are valued, treated fairly, and possess a sense of belonging. Pikes Peak State College encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.