Technical Director

Job Title: Technical Director

Department: Geology

Campus

Location:

Main Campus

FLSA Status: Exempt/ Salaried

Position Type/ Work Schedule

• 2080 Hours per year
• 12 Months per year
• 40 Hours per week (Estimated)

At Colorado College, 2,100 students learn and live on our beautiful 99-acre campus in downtown Colorado Springs. We attract top students seeking new perspectives with an array of experiential learning opportunities possible only in an immersive learning environment. Here, students take only one class at a time to facilitate deep exploration of a topic. We call this the Block Plan. This unique approach allows members of our campus community to share a rhythm of experience as we work together to fulfill our mission.

The Technical Director is responsible for ensuring the effective operation, maintenance, and support of the Geology Department’s laboratories, field equipment, instrumentation, and computing resources. This position provides technical expertise, training, and support to students and faculty while overseeing a diverse array of specialized scientific and instructional equipment, including a scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) instrumentation, and petrographic and stereo microscopes (for full list of facilities/instruments, see: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).).

The Technical Director works closely with faculty to support teaching, research, and field-based learning activities and reports directly to the Chair of the Geology Department. Colorado College supports ongoing professional development through workshops, conferences, manufacturer training programs, and other educational opportunities related to instrumentation, software, and emerging technologies.

• Laboratory and Instrumentation Management:
  • Manage and maintain the Geology Department’s laboratories, research instrumentation, field equipment, and associated facilities to support teaching, research, and field-based learning activities.
  • Perform or coordinate routine maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and repair of specialized scientific instrumentation, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) systems with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), benchtop and handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) instruments, polarized light and stereo microscopes, geophysical and surveying equipment, and rock and mineral sample preparation equipment.
  • Oversee the operation and upkeep of laboratory and sample preparation facilities to ensure equipment reliability, functionality, and accessibility for faculty and students.
• Laboratory Operations, Safety, and Compliance:
  • Oversee the safe and effective operation of geochemistry, research, and teaching laboratories by developing and implementing laboratory procedures and ensuring compliance with College policies and applicable safety regulations.
  • Manage the storage, handling, inventory, and disposal of laboratory chemicals and hazardous materials; maintain fume hoods and other safety systems; and ensure laboratory facilities, equipment, and materials remain organized, clean, and accessible.
  • Promote a culture of safety and environmental stewardship by participating in safety training, reporting unsafe conditions, and implementing best practices for laboratory and field operations.
• Technical Support, Training, and Continued
  
  Education:
  
  
  • Instruct users in the proper operation, maintenance, and application of scientific instruments, laboratory equipment, software, and field technologies.
  • Support the integration of instrumentation and technology into teaching and research activities while maintaining current knowledge of emerging equipment, software, and analytical techniques through ongoing professional development and specialized training opportunities.
• Data, Resource, and Technology Management:
  • Develop and maintain organized data management practices, including instrument documentation, standard operating procedures, file storage systems, and equipment records.
  • Coordinate and oversee student employees and paraprofessionals responsible for the organization, maintenance, and preservation of laboratories, teaching…