Laboratory Coordinator

About the role

NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) provides quality and affordable higher education to empower lives and strengthen communities within Northwest Arkansas and surrounding areas.

As the largest community college in Arkansas, NWACC is recognized as a leader in education. NWACC offers a full range of associate degrees, certificates and workforce training programs that prepare students for rewarding futures and careers.

NWACC employees are dedicated to fostering a diverse educational community and cultural learning environment that supports student success.

The laboratory coordinator monitors safety procedures in the laboratories. Maintains and cleans the laboratories and classrooms, inspects and maintains laboratory safety equipment, and prepares chemicals and other supplies needed for science classrooms.

Essential Duties

• Maintains a safe working environment by reporting accidents or incidents that occur in the science area to their lab supervisor, lead faculty, and dean. Also complies with all department safety procedures including; looking for and reporting potential safety hazards and inspecting and maintaining laboratory safety equipment
• Prepares supplies for the Chemistry, Biology, Botany, Geology, Microbiology, and Anatomy and Physiology classes. This includes; preparation of chemicals, verifying the quality of chemicals needed for various courses, retrieving preserved specimens and models, preparing media aseptically for use in microbiology, restocking laboratory experiment kits/carts, and breaking those carts when they have been completed
• Maintains classroom/laboratories by cleaning those rooms and cleaning returning lab supplies (i.e. glassware, carts, etc.). Washes and maintains laboratory equipment such as but not limited to dissecting tools, pans, and various glassware, safety glasses and goggles, microscopes, etc
• Assists the other laboratory supervisors when needed. This includes helping in the solarium (watering plants, etc.) and assisting in making chemicals and other laboratory supplies for the Washington County laboratories
• Assists administrative assistants with clerical duties as assigned. This includes greeting and directing students and visitors, answering telephone and relaying messages, handing out laboratory kits at the beginning of each semester
• Assists in the building of online science laboratory kits for the online science classes
• Helps maintain the laboratory equipment. This includes cleaning and repairing microscopes, helping faculty with computer issues involving laboratory equipment, and operating the autoclaves
• Additional duties may be assigned as necessary to support the goals and objectives of the department and college

• Rate of Pay: $14.91 Hourly *Higher compensation may be considered based on qualifications directly related to position.
• Completed applications received by 10/31/2026 will be assured full consideration. Late Applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position

Minimum Qualifications

• The formal equivalent of a high school diploma

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a science field

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of College Level Chemistry including the mixing of chemicals from powder and chemical dilutions
• Knowledge of handling biohazardous waste including how to handle and dispose the following: Microbes, blood, and animal tissue
• Knowledge of maintaining and using the following lab equipment; autoclaves, unispenser, pipettors, microsopes, centrifuges, etc
• Ability to schedule laboratories and maintain laboratory kits
• Other skills required for this position include an understanding of microsoft excel and Microsoft Word, pipetting, and the ability to multitask

Physical Demands/Work Environment

Frequently

• Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding
• Sitting
• Standing
• Walking

Constantly

• Hearing
• Repetitive motion
• Talking

Additional information

The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and/or visual inspection at distances close to the eyes.

Environmental Conditions

The work environment typically consists of a professional office setting with a moderate noise level, including sounds from conversations, office equipment, and occasional movement of staff. Lighting is standard for office spaces, and the temperature is controlled to remain within a comfortable range. Employees may occasionally need to visit other areas, such as storage rooms, conference spaces, or outdoor locations, where environmental conditions may vary. Infrequently, exposure to louder noise levels or physical activities, such as moving lightweight materials, might be required.

NWACC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy.