Lab Technician/Coordinator (Geography & Environmental Studies)

Department: Faculty of Science 

Job Type: Continuing

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year) 

Campus: Waterloo 

Reports to: The Senior Administrative Officer for the Faculty of Science and the Chair, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

Employee Group: WLUSA 

Application Deadline: November 28, 2025

Requisition ID: 10385 

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

This job posting is for a current vacancy.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Administrative Officer, Faculty of Science and under the daily guidance of the Department Chair, Geography and Environmental Studies, the Physical Geography Lab Technician/Coordinator is responsible for the safe, effective, and efficient management of the physical geography labs, supporting both instructional and research activities and well as providing academic services through the delivery of appropriate teaching labs. The role includes maintaining equipment, coordinating lab operations, and providing technical support for faculty and student research.

The Lab Technician/Coordinator works independently and is responsible for ensuring safe laboratory practices in the undergraduate courses for which they are responsible. The Lab Technician/Coordinator is responsible for tracking current advances in pedagogy and pedagogical technology as they relate to delivery of laboratory content. In consultation with faculty members, the incumbent will implement these identified advances in the design, development, evaluation and revision of lab exercises, experiments, and tutorials for the assigned courses.

This position has a university-wide mandate and is based at the Waterloo Campus. The incumbent provides subject matter expertise to all campuses, requiring regular interpersonal interactions and collaboration with departments at the Waterloo Campus, the Brantford Campus, locations in Kitchener and Milton, and external partners. Special attention is given to ensure equitable service delivery across all locations.

Accountabilities:

Research Duties:

• Assists faculty and graduate students in support of thesis related activities, and provide guidance as needed with equipment and technical related information.
• Provides technical advice and support for departmental research objectives.
• Supports professors in purchasing, operating, and training students on research equipment.
• Prepare annual equipment lists and obtain quotes/estimates for faculty members purchasing equipment for field work.
• Provides recommendations to the Senior Administrative Officer, Faculty of Science for the Research Support Funds (RSF) budget.
• Uses WLU’s e-procurement system for ordering research equipment.
• Pilots certified Remote Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) mapping missions for undergraduate and graduate research projects.
• Participates in distant field courses and remote research trips as technical and logistical support.
• Contributes to research planning and execution, including sample preparation and analysis.
• Maintain knowledge of advanced lab water quality analytical equipment (e.g., auto-analyzer, ion chromatograph).
• Provide technical writing support for research documentation and manuals.
• Provide technical support for operating Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System (RTK GNSS) systems

Lab Coordinator Duties:

• In consultation with relevant faculty members, prepares academic course materials for delivery in labs and/or tutorials.
• Develops and produces lab manuals, study guides, assignments, in-lab lectures, tutorial outlines, experiments, lab quizzes, or completes other relevant tasks to support lab/tutorial content for courses.
• Establishes marking criteria (Rubrics) for lab exercises, lab reports, lab notebooks, tutorial assignments, as well as for lab or tutorial quizzes and tests. evaluates methods and results to ensure uniform and fair practices. Oversees marking by TAs and IAs in designated courses.
• Routinely reviews and updates lab/tutorial materials to reflect current laboratory practice.
• Ensures the academic integrity of lab assessments utilizing guidelines established by the Faculty of Science to address academic misconduct.
• Holds regular meetings and office hours to assist and tutor undergraduate students, Instructional Assistants and Teaching Assistants.
• Trains, supervises and provides guidance to graduate student Teaching Assistants and undergraduate student Instructional Assistants assigned to support lab delivery.
• Supports TAs and IAs in the development of professional work habits and skills, and efficient use of resources, in the designated courses. pedagogical objectives include improving student skill in tackling problems, relating to and working with peers, time management, choosing efficient teaching and learning techniques, and developing structured approaches.
• Participates in departmental and university events (e.g. Open House)

Lab Technician Duties:

• Maintain, calibrate, purchase, and repair field and lab equipment.
• Track annual lab budget and manage technician purchasing credit card (Pcard) usage.
• Prepare and submit annual lab budget requests to the Chair.
• Identifies and submits recommendations for new teaching lab equipment to the Senior Administrative Officer, Faculty of Science.
• Ship and receive lab-related equipment and chemicals.
• Instruct lab demonstrators/teaching assistants on equipment use and lab safety (e.g., WHMIS).
• Write safety and instructional manuals for student use.
• Coordinate inventory and disposal of hazardous waste in collaboration with SHERM.
• Liaise with SHERM for safety audits and lab safety compliance.
• Initiate work orders for lab infrastructure and equipment repairs.
• Provides feedback in review of lab renovations and physical alterations to lab spaces.
• Ensure availability of chemicals and teaching materials for lab courses.
• Participates in and provides logistics for field trips associated with the Department.

Qualifications

• MA/MSc degree in Physical Geography.
• 3-years previous experience in a similar role in a university setting.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate, interact and work efficiently and effectively with faculty, staff and students on a wide range of issues.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment, with well-developed team management, organizational and leadership skills.
• Motivated to work independently.
• Comfortable training and conveying detailed information to individuals or a group/audience.
• Supervisory experience, including the ability to oversee the work of GTAs and undergraduate IAs.
• Exceptional attention to detail and problem-solving ability.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of a wide variety of computing software (e.g., ARCGISPro, LOGGERNET, HOBOWARE, LEICA GEOOFFICE, NAP auto-analyzer, DIONEX Peaknet).
• Technical knowledge of computer hardware and equipment communication issues.
• Knowledge of chemical properties, safe storage and handling practices, and proper disposal.
• Familiarity with Physical Geography lab and field procedures (e.g., water and soil analyses, hydrological, meteorological, and geomorphological equipment).
• Experience with advanced lab water quality analytical equipment (e.g., auto-analyzer, ion chromatograph).
• Understanding of procedures for obtaining, preparing, and analyzing teaching and research specimens/samples.
• Strong technical writing skills.
• Background in field surveying methods and GPS equipment.
• Certified RPAS pilot (advanced operations certification is an asset).
• Valid "G" license to operate rental vehicles.
• Certification to operate off-road vehicles and snowmobiles considered an asset.
• First aid/CPR certification.

This position has not been deemed eligible for educational equivalencies. 

Hours of Work: This position is full-time, continuing. The normal hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Flexibility in hours will be required, including evening and/or weekend work to ensure lab delivery and support of research endeavours. When possible, the manager will adjust the work schedule so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week. This role offers limited flexibility regarding flexible work arrangements. Please see Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy) for more information. All arrangement must be approved by the direct manager. On occasion, this schedule may need to be adjusted to meet operational requirements. 

Compensation:

Level: F

Rate of Pay: Hiring salary range posted: $46.70 to $49.38 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $53.37 per hour.  Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job. 

Job Factor Scores:

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.