Summary
Michigan Technological University is seeking a Lab and Academic Specialist for the Civil Environmental and Geospatial Engineering department. The role focuses on managing and enhancing civil engineering laboratory courses, providing hands‑on experience, maintaining equipment, and contributing to curriculum development.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and implement new laboratory experiments and course materials for on‑campus civil engineering laboratory courses to align with curriculum objectives and industry standards.
- Deliver engaging and practical instruction for multiple sections of civil engineering laboratory courses, guiding students through practical exercises and reinforcing theoretical concepts.
- Provide hands‑on support and technical guidance to students during laboratory sessions, troubleshooting equipment, and assisting with experimental procedures, whether in a physical lab or a virtual/remote environment.
- Manage, maintain, and upgrade civil engineering laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and software to ensure optimal functionality, safety, and readiness for instructional use.
- Oversee inventory of laboratory supplies and components, initiating procurement as needed.
- Develop and enforce laboratory safety protocols and procedures for on‑campus lab settings.
- Assist the department chair and/or the curriculum committee in maintaining documentation in support of college (ABET) and university (Higher Learning Council) accreditation activities and in the preparation of associated self‑study reports.
- Assess student performance in laboratory settings, providing constructive feedback on technical skills and understanding.
- Coordinate and administer the curriculum proposal process (binder process) with the department chair.
- Serve as liaison and host for prospective student inquiries and visits.
- Collaborate with Civil Engineering faculty to integrate laboratory activities with lecture content and contribute to continuous course improvement.
- Develop and deliver departmental outreach activities.
- Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work; actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
- Apply safety‑related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.
Required Education, Certifications, Licensures
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a closely related field.
Required Experience
- One year of experience in industry or academia in a civil engineering related position.
Desirable Education and/or Experience
- Experience with education‑ or research‑grade civil engineering laboratory software (e.g., MATLAB, DASYLab, LabVIEW, PASCO Capstone, or similar).
- Prior teaching or instructional experience at the university level, including experience with lab course delivery.
- Familiarity with curriculum development and assessment practices.
- Experience with safety protocols and best practices in a laboratory environment.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and/Abilities
- Demonstrated experience in a laboratory setting, including equipment operation, maintenance, and experimental design.
- Strong understanding of fundamental civil engineering concepts and practical applications.
- Ability to teach lab courses in at least two of the following civil engineering areas: civil engineering materials, water resources, or soil mechanics.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively instruct and assist students in both on‑campus and online formats.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to work with faculty members to develop and deliver course material in lectures and/or laboratories.
- Demonstrated ability to succeed in recruitment activities, for example, summer youth programs.
- Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with people with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.
Work Environment and Physical Demands
The work environment is typically low to moderate noise. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment
- Every employee receives the following required trainings:
- Employee Safety Overview
- Anti‑Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
- Annual Data Security Training
- Annual Title IX Training
- Background check: Employment offers are contingent upon completion and assessment of a background check.
Job Logistics
- Full‑Time Equivalent: 100%
- FLSA Status: Exempt
- Appointment Term: 12 months
- Shift: –
- Pay Range: Minimum $60,000; final salary depends on experience and qualifications.
- Supervisor: Department Chair
- Posting Type: Internal & External
- Dependent on Funding: No
Accommodation and Legal Statements
- Individuals with disabilities may request accommodations during the hiring process. Please notify the Human Resources office at 906‑487‑2280 or hr‑
- Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.