Laboratory & Research Specialist II

Title: Laboratory & Research Specialist II

Agency: Laurel Ridge Community College

Location: Frederick - 069

FLSA: Exempt

Hiring Range: The hiring range for this position is $53,770.00-$72,589.00. Salary will be commensurate with knowledge, competencies and experience

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

Job Description:

For best consideration, please ensure your application is submitted by 11:59 PM EST on June 4, 2026.

This position supports faculty in the delivery of science laboratory instruction by preparing, setting up, maintaining, and restoring laboratory spaces and equipment. Responsibilities include assisting instructors during labs, managing inventory, performing equipment maintenance, and ensuring labs, storage, and public areas are clean, organized, and compliant with safety policies and PPE requirements. The role also supports procurement through eVA, manages Safety Data Sheets (SDS), oversees hazardous waste disposal, and assists with SOP development, safety committee participation, and staff training. The position collaborates with lab staff to ensure adequate coverage during instructional hours, including evenings and weekends, and requires strong knowledge of science, problemsolving abilities, and effective communication skills. While based at the Middletown Campus, duties may require travel to other college locations, with a schedule that varies by semester based on instructional needs. Please note that this is not a research-focused position.

As part of the college community, this position is expected to participate in college and community events as needed, as well as collaborate and build relationships across departments, supporting both academic programs and broader institutional initiatives. This role plays an integral part in maintaining a high-quality educational environment and contributing to the overall mission of the college.

Compensation and Benefits

The hiring range for this position is $53,770.00-$72,589.00. Salary will be commensurate with knowledge, competencies and experience. The position is classified staff and as such is eligible for the benefits package offered by the Commonwealth of Virginia for state agencies. For more information, please visit www.dhrm.virginia.gov.

Click here to learn about Laurel Ridge Community College.

Laurel Ridge Community College is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a diverse environment, and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Laurel Ridge will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in order to provide access to the application, interviewing, and selection process. Please email ... for further information.

Sponsorship of an employee's work authorization takes time and requires an ongoing financial investment. Therefore, Laurel Ridge Community College does not have funding to sponsor potential employees in the US on a work visa. We consistently follow this funding model to ensure our practices are not discriminatory. Exceptions would require approval from the college president.

Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. While honoring bona fide occupational exceptions as needed, the college shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including lactation, age, status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. The college also promotes a safe working environment and prohibits sexual misconduct, including sexual violence and harassment. Know your rights!

Minimum Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to prepare chemical solutions, culture media, and/or culture microorganisms, and assist in maintaining laboratory equipment and supplies.
• Demonstrated strong organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, work independently, and support smooth lab operations (e.g., inventory tracking, equipment maintenance records, procurement support).
• Demonstrated ability to safely handle, store, and dispose of chemicals and hazardous materials, with working knowledge of applicable safety regulations and SDS usage.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of laboratory safety practices, including use of PPE, implementation of safety protocols, and routine safety monitoring.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated foundational knowledge in Chemistry and/or Biology/Microbiology (degree preferred or equivalent experience)
• Demonstrated ability to operate, troubleshoot, or maintain scientific equipment (e.g., microscopes, centrifuges, balances, micropipettes, electrophoresis systems).
• Demonstrated experience preparing and setting up laboratory environments, including preparing materials (e.g., solutions, media) and ensuring readiness for instructional use.
• Demonstrated strength in the safe handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals and hazardous materials, with working knowledge of applicable federal and state safety regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and/or students to support instructional or operational needs in a professional environment.