Scientific Instrument & Electronics Shop Manager

Claremont, CA

Job Posting Title:
Scientific Instrument & Electronics Shop Manager

Job Description:

PRIMARY PURPOSE/GENERAL DESCRIPTION:


Reporting to the Dean of the Department of Natural Sciences, the Scientific Instrument Technician and Electronics Shop Manager (Technician-Manager) maintains, troubleshoots, and manages the scientific instruments and electronics shop within the Department of Natural Sciences of Pitzer and Scripps Colleges (DNS).

The Technician-Manager provides essential technical, instructional, and administrative services to DNS, and is responsible for scheduling, assisting, and training faculty, teaching staff, and student users to operate equipment safely and effectively, independently, and routinely. In addition, the Technician-Manager will be responsible for managing instrumentation within the department's holdings. Of these, particular emphasis will be devoted to the routine management of a Bruker 500 MHz NMR spectrometer, an ion-coupled plasma mass spectrophotometer (ICP-MS), a Waters Xevo G2-XS QTof UPLC-MS, a gas isotope ratio mass spectrophotometer (IRMS), an excimer ultraviolet C laser ablation system, a Perkin Elmer ICP-OES with a New Wave laser ablation system, and a Bruker Tracer 5i pXRF spectrometer.

The College is seeking to fill two positions for this role; one full-time and one part-time.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

This information is intended to be a descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position. The list of essential functions below does not identify all duties performed by any single incumbent in this position. Perform other duties as assigned.

Method Development, Device Fabrication, and Research Design

• Perform component-level repairs to a wide variety of electronic, mechanical, and optical scientific laboratory instruments.
• Design and fabricate tabletop electronic, mechanical, and optical equipment (including bespoke equipment) for use by faculty in research labs and student research projects.
• Consult potential users on the feasibility of proposed analyses and science questions.
• Consult with potential users and the Dean of DNS on the development of special analytical protocols to establish standard operating procedures for various instrument analysis methods.

Training and Coordination

• Work with the DNS Dean and faculty stakeholders to establish a user base and policies for instrument and electronics shop user training and support.
• Work with DNS safety personnel to ensure a safe and compliant laboratory setting (in accordance with all applicable Federal, State, and College regulations, policies, and laws) to acquaint and train users with laboratory and equipment operation protocols and safety requirements.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

• Set priorities for work in consultation with the DNS dean, the building manager, and faculty to maintain instruments in all laboratories and keep instrument downtime to a minimum.
• Troubleshoot instruments for problems, make repairs and adjustments as needed, and coordinate repair needs and schedules with external vendors.
• Coordinate routine service contract maintenance by instrument service technicians.
• Provide consultation and technical assistance in the design and construction of equipment for instruction laboratories and research.

Administration

• Maintain comprehensive instrument logbooks, including user logs that record sample types, quantities, and methods.
• Maintain inventory and records for necessary shop materials and supplies; ensure that the proper equipment, tools, and materials are on hand when needed.
• Maintain inventory and records for necessary UPLC-MS consumables; ensure that the proper materials are on hand when needed.

• Perform other duties and tasks specific to the position as directed.
• Actively support the College's Principles of Community and Institutional Values in the performance of job duties.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

Individuals must possess knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position, or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Knowledge of managing an electronics or instrumentation shop, including ordering and inventorying parts and equipment, and negotiating with outside vendors for goods and services.
• Familiarity with desktop computer/instrument software systems.
• Experience in a college or university setting is preferred.
• Works well in a collaborative environment and effectively interacts with all members of laboratory and college community.
• Able to write and disseminate clear protocols.
• Following departmental safety training, performs work according to established safety protocols.
• Preferred: experience with use and maintenance of mass spectrometers, NMR spectrometers, or similar laboratory instrumentation.

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Master's degree in electrical engineering, applied physics, analytical instrumentation, analytical geochemistry, chemical engineering, analytical chemistry, or related field, or any combination of education, training or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and ability.

LICENSES / CERTIFICATES:


None.

OTHER:

HOURS & CLASSIFICATION AND STATUS:

This is a regular status, benefits-eligible, 12-month, non-exempt position.

The full-time (40 hours per week) position is scheduled to work Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The part-time position (20 hours per week) will be scheduled between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, based on departmental needs.

Hourly rate range: $30.00-$33.75. The hourly rate of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:


None.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate.


Physical and Mental Requirements

Ability to maintain good concentration level while dealing with interruptions; attention to details with emphasis on accuracy; capable of giving, receiving, and analyzing information, formulating work plans, and articulating goals and action plans.


Standing for extended periods of time. Reaching and extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction. Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than the whole hand(s), or arm(s), for example, using a pipetter or manually manipulating microcentrifuge tubes. Communication skills using the spoken word. Ability to see within normal parameters. Ability to hear within normal parameters. Ability to bend and stoop and move about, for example to move samples between pieces of scientific equipment. Ability to lift and carry short distances up to 50 lbs., for example to lift or move small scientific equipment, scientific samples, push a cart containing waste, etc.

At-Will Employment

Regular employment at the College is for no specified period of time; conditions and status of employment (hours, pay, title, duties, etc.) are subject to change at any time. Scripps College is an At-Will employer. Employees, and likewise the College, are free to end the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without notice or cause, unless otherwise prohibited by law.