Lab Manager

The Packer Collegiate Institute is seeking a Laboratory Manager to join its Science Department. The department consists of 15 full-time faculty serving students in grades preK-12 with an advanced elective program in the upper grades that includes college level courses in physics, chemistry, and biology. The Laboratory Manager supervises and performs technical and administrative duties to support the safe and effective function of all laboratory-related activities in the department. This includes purchasing and maintaining laboratory stocks and equipment, managing lab safety programs to ensure compliance with regulations, overseeing expenditure of department funds, collaborating with faculty to refine and troubleshoot student labs and demos, and preparing solutions and other materials for use in student laboratories.

Start date: August 26, 2026

Principal Responsibilities

• Manages purchasing, organization, maintenance, and safe disposal of chemicals required for advanced preK-12 science program in physics, chemistry, and biology; maintains detailed records; communicates directly with vendors; stays up-to-date on safety regulations and maintains required NYFD certification

• Manages department budget and related accounts pertaining to inventory, professional development, and department programming; serves as a liaison to the business office

• Oversees organization, maintenance, and repair of laboratory equipment and instrumentation

• Maintains up-to-date online inventory of chemicals, equipment, and supplies; restocks on an on-going basis

• In consultation with Science Department faculty, evaluates equipment and technologies that might be beneficial to the Department; stays current with new developments in technology, equipment, labs, and demos, and makes recommendations to faculty for possible applications

• Prepares set-up for student laboratories in advance, as requested by Department faculty, and puts equipment away when labs are complete; occasionally assists in lab instruction and supervision; collaborates with teachers to refine and troubleshoot labs and demos

• Maintains organized records of labs and demos for quick reference by teachers

• Meets with the Science Department Head on a regular basis to convey updates on the budget, inventory, equipment needs, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a laboratory science; master’s degree preferred

• Strong organizational skills, ability to manage time and prioritize tasks effectively

• Understanding of safe handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals

• Ability to prepare and dilute solutions according to laboratory specifications

• Laboratory research experience and eligibility or possession of C14 certification

• Budget management experience

• Familiarity with Vernier probeware and other technologies/instrumentation used in secondary school and university student laboratories

• Strong communication skills and a desire to collaborate with over a dozen colleagues across 4 divisions

• Growth mindset with an ability to problem solve

Reasonable Accommodations: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Packer's values and vision of educational excellence include embracing diversity, fostering community, nurturing a sense of belonging, and ensuring all learners are valued and challenged. We actively embrace the diversity of New York City and seek employees who share Packer’s values of equity, inclusion, and belonging, and who wish to learn from the experiences and perspectives of others. We strongly encourage applications from candidates whose backgrounds and perspectives may be underrepresented.

The Packer Collegiate Institute does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to, but is not limited to, educational policies, admission, financial aid, hiring and employment practices, use of school facilities, athletics, and other school-administered programs.

Salaries are determined based on a scale reflecting years of teaching experience and level of education.