Find your Career at Northern Illinois University!Link to Department Website or Custom Search PageOverviewThe Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development ( OERD ) is NIU's most entrepreneurial externally focused unit. OERD staff members help advance the university's mission by applying their subject matter expertise, networks, creativity, and initiative to address regional, state, national and global challenges, and opportunities. Within OERD, the NIU STEAM department is made up of programs and people committed to providing awesomely engaging interdisciplinary educational experiences that spark curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking to thousands of students and community members annually. Our commitment is to work together with partner on and off campus to change the lived experience of members of our community.Position SummaryOutreach and Engagement personnel are professionals who conduct the division's multitude of outreach and engagement activities with customers and partners across the region in support of program delivery. Under direction from a designated supervisor, the STEAM Laboratory Manager is responsible for the administration of STEAM classroom spaces, Makers Space and Creativity, Art and Technology Lab (CATlab). The STEAM Laboratory Manager is responsible for the effective management, operation, and safety of these laboratories/Classrooms. They coordinate activities, manage inventory, provide technical support, and oversee student staff.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesManage Instructional Spaces – 70%Coordinates and manages activities and programs within a laboratory facility; manages records for all activities and programs, as necessary; provides technical support for laboratory equipment, supplies, and data analysis tools.Responsible for overseeing safety and security of laboratory facilities including maintaining current knowledge of all relevant protocols, regulations, standards, and safety procedures as well as developing and maintaining standard operating procedures.Advises, guides, and/or directs on operational activities and/or government, industry, or institutional regulatory guidelines.Responsible for laboratory equipment, supplies, and data analysis tools including inspecting, maintaining, and/or troubleshooting; performs and documents routine advanced quality assurance and preventive maintenance.Manages financial activities and/or reports pertaining to the laboratory; assists in the preparation of budget estimates.Performs various technical duties in support of instructional activities.Collaborates with and/or serves as a liaison to agencies, administrators, departments, and/or stakeholders; represents senior administration on committees.Monitors, researches, and distributes information regarding implementing changes in regulatory guidelines as well as trends and developments in techniques and technology relevant to the field; maintains and updates protocol manuals.Develops and delivers staff training on all classroom and laboratory equipment and technology; including safety protocols; maintain staff training records.Inventory & Supply Management – 25%Oversees inventory management such as selecting, purchasing, storing, and allocating of laboratory equipment, supplies, and data analysis tools.Collaborates with program staff to identify supply needs to ensure program supplies are delivered on time and within budget.Other Related Duties – 5%Acts as the primary liaison to campus, agencies, administrators and university departments and represent the senior administrator on committees.Cultivates positive relationships with external individuals and organizations, including developing and sustaining both new and existing relationships.Serves as liaison to building and grounds; manages department work orders as needed.Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline closely related to the position.Two (2) years (24 months) of work experience in a laboratory or similar setting closely related to the position.Or total of five (5) years (60 months) of any combination of education in a scientific discipline and/or work experience in a laboratory or similar setting related to the position.One (1) year (12 months) of supervisory and/or administrative experience.NOTE : A Master's Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year (12 months) of work experience.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.Knowledge of applicable safety requirements.Knowledge of laboratory equipment, related supplies, computer hardware and software, and their applications.Skill in utilizing organization and time management and in effectively managing multiple priorities on a daily basis.Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively as appropriate for the needs of the audience.Ability to analyze and develop guidelines, procedures and systems to outline specific goals and implement plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish tasks.Ability to identify measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.Ability to interpret work related documents, policies, and procedures.Ability to manage a budget and work within the constraints of that budget.Specialty Factors (Civil Service)N/APreferred Qualifications (Civil Service)Master Degree in related field.Experience in CAD and/or 3D design and production.Experience in NIU systems for procurement, HR, safety, etc.Experience on collaborative interdisciplinary teams.Experience using Windows, Mac, Microsoft Office, multimedia tools, and social media tools for teaching purposes is required.Experience working with and maintaining makerspace technology including but not limited to 3D printers, laser cutters, computer controlled cutting machines, design software packages, etc.Ability to work with inventory technology systems.Excellent oral and verbal communication skills, planning and organizational abilities, problem-solving skills, and ability to work collaboratively and collegially in a team environment fostering an environment of mutual respect for one another and the NIU community.Commitment to accountability for the university's outreach and engagement mission, presidential goals such as increasing partnerships, and division goals for mutually beneficial engagement with communities across the region.Appointment and Compensation DetailsAppointment and Compensation DetailsAnticipated Appointment Start DateAnticipated Appointment Start Date 04/13/2026Anticipated Appointment End DatePercent of Staff YearPercent of Staff Year 1.00Standard Hours Per Week 37.50Working HoursWorking Hours 8 - 4:30, one-hour lunch; evenings and weekends as neededFully complete the Education and Work History sections of the application. Be specific on your entire work history, including employment dates and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Important: Please upload any unofficial transcript(s) and/or documentation that verifies any education, experience, and/or training you have received.If eligible for Veteran's Preference Points, DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256 paperwork reflecting an Honorable Discharge MUST be uploaded to this application to receive the maximum eligible points on the Civil Service examination.After the posting has closed, your submission will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the classification, including any specialty factors associated with this position. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register.Please monitor your e-mail for further information regarding your application. Emails will be generated from jobs@niu.edu and CivilServiceTesting@niu.edu. Please add these emails to your address book to ensure timely delivery of any future communication.Illinois residency required within 180 days of the hire date.Credentials Assessment ExaminationThe examination for this position is a Credentials Assessment and is based on your application materials as submitted for this posting. A Credential Assessment is a rating by the Human Resources Office of an applicant's/employee's education, experience, and special credentials/qualifications (licenses, etc.). Applicants are required to upload documentation to verify the minimum qualifications for this position has been met.Required documentation noted in the posting, such as a driver's license, licensures, or certifications MUST be uploaded with your application materials.After assessment of all qualified applicants has been completed for this position, the names with the top three (3) scores will be referred to the hiring department for interview.Click on Laboratory Manager for more information including salary ranges, typical duties, minimum acceptable qualifications, and testing requirements.Applicants who may assume they do not meet the exact minimum qualifications are still invited to apply. Within the application documents, applicants should be sure to explain how their credentials and related qualifications address the requested minimum requirements.Employment is contingent upon your passing a criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX CoordinatorHealth Services Building Room 230TitleIXCoordinator@niu.edu815-753-5560In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.ADA AccommodationNIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person's disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form. For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity ( AAEO ) at ada@niu.edu.Required DocumentsResume/Curriculum VitaeCover LetterList of at least 3 Professional ReferencesMilitary Discharge Documents (DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256) optionalTranscripts (unofficial with official required at hire)Supplemental QuestionsRequired fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).* What is the highest level of education attained? GEDHigh School DiplomaAssociates DegreeBachelors DegreeMasters DegreePhD* Have you attached all transcripts to support the degrees you are submitting for consideration? YesNo* If applicable, have you attached a copy of your DD214, DD215, NGB22, or DD256 for consideration of Veterans Preference Points? The copy submitted should reflect the status of discharge in order to be considered. YesNoNot Applicable* Do you possess work experience exhibiting effective communication skills with all levels and/or types of people such as: providing technical support to facility users; collaborating with faculty, administrators, regulatory agency representatives, stakeholders, etc.; interviewing, training, and/or supervising staff; organizing staff meetings or training/in-services; distributing information regarding changes relevant to the field? Work experience not directly related to tasks described.Work experience demonstrates a minimum or entry level competency relevant to the tasks described, requiring periodic supervision and some assistance.Work experience demonstrates a high level of competency relevant to the tasks described, performing specified job functions with little or no supervision or assistance.* Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. (Open Ended Question)#J-18808-Ljbffr