Soil Testing Laboratory Manager

Job Description

The position serves as the senior manager of the Virginia Tech Soil Testing Laboratory a complex revenue generating operation that processes more than 50000 soil samples annually and generates over $150000 in service revenue. The role has primary responsibility for strategically directing laboratory operations that support Virginia Cooperative Extension public clientele agribusiness and university research. The position oversees the delivery of scientifically defensible soil fertility analyses and fertilizer and lime recommendations that have statewide agricultural environmental and economic impact as well as thousands of elemental analyses in support of externally funded research programs.
The position exercises broad managerial authority over personnel finances compliance and operational systems. Responsibilities include hiring supervising evaluating and developing all salaried and hourly staff; administering multiple operating budgets revenue and recharge accounts and an instrument replacement fund; and ensuring compliance with University financial safety and regulatory requirements while serving as Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Officer. The position directs all quality assurance and analytical performance standards oversees laboratory infrastructure including major instrumentation and information management systems and leads continuous improvement initiatives that modernize workflows expand services and increase efficiency. It represents the laboratory to Extension regulatory agencies researchers and external stakeholders providing institutional leadership technical oversight and decision making authority consistent with a senior laboratory management role.

Required Qualifications

Masters degree in Agronomy Soil Science or Soil Chemistry or related area; and/or equivalent training and work experience. Considerable knowledge of methods for fertility analysis of soil and experience with similar laboratory equipment. Ability to supervise including selection training instruction and evaluation. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with and between employees. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with the public extension and research personnel providing relevant information on laboratory methodology and fertilizer & lime recommendations. Skill in repairing/maintaining the instrumental and computer components of the laboratory.

Preferred Qualifications

MS degree in the sciences.

Pay Band

5

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Commensurate with Experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

05/08/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt Prosim(That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors university has a significant presence across Virginia including Blacksburg the greater Washington D.C. area the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke sites in Newport News and Richmond and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.