Sciences Lab Director
- Lakewood, Colorado, United States
- Full Time
- Opening on: Oct 23 2026
- Closing on: Nov 6 2026
Title: Sciences Lab Director
Position Type: Professional Tech Full time
College: Red Rocks Community College
Division: Academic Affairs
Department: Science
Campus: RRCC Lakewood Campus
Location: Lakewood
Salary Range: $77,970 to $85,768 annually
Who We Are:
Red Rocks Community College exemplifies extraordinary. We are dedicated to our Vision and Mission, which promote student achievement, staff empowerment, and community engagement. We live our values: Learning, Collaboration, Community, Belonging, and Empowerment.
RRCC seeks applicants who understand and have first-hand experience working with diverse populations, which may include but are not limited to, historically marginalized populations such as people of color, LGBTQ+ community members, veterans, first generation graduates, and people with disabilities.
Job Summary:
The Science Labs Director provides strategic leadership and oversight of STEM laboratory operations across multiple scientific disciplines, ensuring safe, well-equipped, and student-centered learning environments. This position collaborates with faculty, department chairs, and academic leadership to support laboratory curriculum, instructional delivery, resource planning, and continuous improvement while aligning laboratory services with institutional priorities and student learning outcomes.
Responsibilities include managing budgets, equipment, supplies, facilities, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance; supervising and developing laboratory staff and student employees; and evaluating emerging technologies and instructional practices to enhance laboratory education. The Director also supports student engagement through laboratory instruction, research activities, and applied learning experiences and teaches assigned STEM courses based on qualifications and institutional needs. Success in this role requires strong scientific and technical expertise, effective project and resource management, and the ability to build collaborative relationships across academic and administrative teams while fostering an inclusive environment that supports student success.
This position is generally performed in a laboratory and classroom environment and requires frequent activity. Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. May require hours outside of regular office hours. Will require work at both campuses. May require travel between campuses. This position has been exempted from the State Classified System. This is a full-time, FLSA-exempt position.
Top Three Characteristics of a Successful Candidate
• Strategic and Operational Leadership: Demonstrates strong organizational, project management, budgeting, and resource planning skills to coordinate complex laboratory operations across multiple STEM disciplines.
• Scientific Expertise and Commitment to Safety: Possesses sound laboratory knowledge, practical technical skills, and a strong commitment to safety, regulatory compliance, equipment readiness, and continuous improvement
• Collaborative, Student-Centered Leadership: Builds effective partnerships with faculty, staff, and academic leaders; develops and supports laboratory personnel; and promotes inclusive, accessible, and engaging learning experiences for students from diverse backgrounds
Competencies/KSAs:
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Demonstrated ability to write, teach, and assess scientific protocols and reports, proposals, documentation, and professional correspondence.
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Understanding of experimental design.
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Demonstrated ability to safely prepare stock solutions, including those that are strongly acidic or basic, bacterial cultures of BSL-1 & BSL-2 strains, and PCR related materials.
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Knowledge of how to properly handle, store and dispose of flammable chemicals, caustic substances, biohazardous waste (e.g., tissue samples, blood, dissection specimens, etc.), sharps (e.g., broken glass, scalpel and razor blades), strong and weak acids, and bases.
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Ability to collaborate in diverse teams while demonstrating respect for differing perspectives and fostering a positive work environment.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills
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Effective interpersonal, conflict resolution, organization, and time management skills
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Technology proficiency
Minimum Qualifications:
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A master’s degree or higher in Biology, Chemistry, or a related field, OR a masters degree plus 18 graduate credit hours in a STEM specific field
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Tested experience may be used in lieu of the degree requirement on a case-by-case basis.
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Minimum 2 years of laboratory experience in a science lab with general knowledge of cellular, molecular, organismal, and micro-biology, and general chemistry.
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Project management experience
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Familiarity with proper lab and chemical safety and control methods
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Demonstrated commitment to working with and supporting students from diverse populations, which may include but are not limited to, historically marginalize populations such as people of color, LGBTQ+ community members, veterans, first generation graduates, and people with disabilities.
Physical & Cognitive Demands
The following are some of the physical and cognitive demands commonly associated with this position.
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Frequently moves, positions, and transports standard office supplies and lab equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.
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This role requires frequent physical activity and operates both a laboratory and office environment that constantly uses a computer, and routinely uses standard office equipment including phones, copiers, etc. as well as highly technical laboratory equipment.
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The person in this position constantly communicates with internal and external constituents and students. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
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Cognitive demands include comparing, copying, computing, compiling, analyzing, coordinating, synthesizing, negotiating, communicating, instructing, and interpersonal skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Experience teaching at the college level within one of the STEM disciplines.
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2+ years of experience managing a laboratory space, including ordering/purchasing supplies, inventorying, managing a budget, and following safe disposal practices for removing chemicals and other hazardous materials.
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Experience developing, writing, and teaching lab-based science curriculum at the college level.
Selection Process:
Candidates will be evaluated based on their qualifications as related to the duties and responsibilities of the position. Candidates may redact any personally identifiable information on their materials including but are not limited to age, date of birth, and dates of attendance and date of graduation for educational institutions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application Instructions:
Starting Salary
Starting salary range for this position is $77,970 to $85,768 annually, commensurate with education and experience. This is a full-time, FLSA-exempt position. This position has been exempted from the State Classified System.
To Apply
All applicants must submit:
1. Resume
2. Detailed letter of interest (cover letter) addressing the job announcement.
3. Unofficial transcripts
Candidates will be evaluated based on their qualifications as related to the duties and responsibilities of the position. Candidates may redact any personally identifiable information on their materials including but are not limited to age, date of birth, and dates of attendance and date of graduation for educational institutions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Visit our Careers website to submit your application.
If you have questions regarding this position, please contact us at HR@rrcc.edu.
Additional Information/Benefits:
Reasonable Accommodation Statement
Red Rocks Community College provides reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process and/or during the course of employment, please contact Jennifer Matthews, Vice President of Human Resources, at (303) 914-6298, Jennifer.Matthews@rrcc.edu, or Room 1024, 13300 W. 6th Ave. Lakewood, CO 80228.
Benefits
At RRCC, we value and uphold a commitment to a workplace that focuses on employees. In addition to rewarding and meaningful work, we offer a comprehensive selection of benefits to support our employees, including:
• Strong, flexible retirement benefits including Colorado PERA’s Defined Benefit Plan or Defined Contribution Plan. RRCC contributes 21.61% of your salary on your behalf. Supplemental retirement plans including 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans are also available.
• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, and flexible savings benefits.
• Employee assistance services such as counseling, professional coaching, financial planning, and more, are available to you and members of your household at no cost through the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP).
• Generous paid time off benefits including up to 15 hours of annual leave and 10 hours sick leave per month, 10 paid holidays per year, and up to 18 hours for academic and volunteer activities.
• Tuition assistance for employees and their eligible dependents at any community college within the Colorado Community College System or CCCOnline.
• State employees are eligible to participate in BenefitHub which offers discounts for retailers and services and other benefits resources.
• Employees may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Additional information about this program can be found on the Colorado Division of Human Resources website.
Notice to all Applicants
• Final candidate will be subject to successful completion of a background check, and, if applicable, a motor vehicle record review.
• Former employees of the Colorado Community College System, or one of its 13 colleges, who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination, must disclose this information in their application material.
• Final candidates are required to submit unofficial transcripts for non-instructional positions and official transcripts for instructional positions to Human Resources within thirty (30) days of hire.
• Direct deposit of payroll is a condition of employment.
• Red Rocks Community College participates in E-Verify.
• Red Rocks Community College is a tobacco and smoke-free campus.
• All RRCC employees, except student employees, contribute to Colorado PERA at a fixed percentage of their earnings and do not contribute to Social Security.
• Finalist must be willing to make Colorado their primary workplace.
• Employees may not have a combination of overtime exempt and non-exempt positions within the System at the same time. Employees in overtime exempt positions may be eligible for additional assignments, such as teaching or other non-instructional academic work, outside of their regular position duties. Payment for additional assignments shall be in accordance with the College’s or System Office’s applicable pay schedule for similarly situated positions where the work is being performed. Work on additional assignments must be completed when the employee is not receiving regular pay for another position and are subject to all applicable workload limits.
RRCC/CCCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Red Rocks Community College and Colorado Community College System believes when all human qualities are regarded with dignity and respect and when everyone has access to the individualized support they need, all will have the opportunity to thrive. In all aspects of the employment process, decisions are made based on merit, competence, performance and business need without regard to sex, gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, familial status, veteran or military status, pregnancy status, marital status, religion, genetic information, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Our Accommodations and Non-Discrimination policies, plus other helpful information, can be found publicly at https://www.rrcc.edu/about-us/disclaimers-and-legal-notices.
We also believe in going further. At RRCC we have a focus on equity and belonging. We strive to create a community in which everyone feels respected and valued for their unique talents and contributions, and where people from all backgrounds are able to achieve their goals. Red Rocks Community College acknowledges that inclusion and equity are multifaceted and complex concepts, and that our efforts in these areas will require innovation, intention, and an institutional commitment to these principles, across our entire college community.
Red Rocks Community College is an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). As we move toward full HSI status, we are focused on servingness and are committed to creating a learning environment where equity is expected and our Latinx students thrive.
For information regarding Red Rocks Community College Security, including Clery Act/Crime Statistics for the campuses and surrounding area, please see the https://www.rrcc.edu/about-us/disclaimers-and-legal-notices
CCCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The Colorado Community College System believes when all human qualities are regarded with dignity and respect and when everyone has access to the individualized support they need, all will have the opportunity to thrive. In all aspects of the employment process, decisions are made based on merit, competence, performance and business need without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, military status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.
Reasonable Accommodation/Additional Details
Red Rocks Community College provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process and/or during the course of employment, please contact Jennifer Matthews, Executive Director of Human Resources, at 13300 West 6th Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80228; (303) 914-6298 or Jennifer.Matthews@rrcc.edu.