Lab Assistant II

Overview

The starting range for this position is $27.00 per hour and is non-negotiable.

Under immediate supervision, incumbent performs varied nontechnical laboratory procedures in processing or preparing laboratory specimens, materials and supplies and in the operation of specialized mechanical lab equipment. Follows specialized, detailed directions and procedures/techniques.

Typical activities include operating mechanical equipment such as washers and autoclaves to decontaminate, clean and sterilize lab materials and equipment; sharpen lab instruments and tools, cleans materials using specialized procedures; assembles lab apparatuses such as microbial filters; prepares and labels simple reagents and dispenses media and reagents based on exacting standards; assists personnel working in the lab by assembling and dismantling apparatuses as directed, labeling test tubes and other containers, keeping records, cleaning bottles, and operating centrifuges; assists chemists or microbiologists in mobile field laboratories.

This procurement is for toxicity testing and chemistry analysis support of effluent and receiving water samples collected from Naval installations such as Naval Base San Diego (NBSD), Naval Base Coronado (NBC), Naval Base Point Loma (NBPL), and the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS).

Responsibilities

Perform aquatic and sediment toxicity tests to support environmental monitoring at Navy installations. The contractor shall plan and conduct standard aquatic and sediment toxicity tests and bioaccumulation tests with different marine invertebrate species (e.g. mysid shrimp, sea urchins, amphipods, polychaetes, bivalves), fish species (e.g. topsmelt), and algae (e.g. giant kelp) on both effluent and receiving water samples and sediment samples using related experience in marine ecology/ecotoxicology and knowledge of the Applicable Documents identified in Sections 2.1-2.3.

Maintain organism cultures on an ongoing basis during the testing periods, and appropriately acclimate and care for all species.

Perform appropriate statistical analysis of toxicity results from experiments shall include use of SYSTAT and CETIS software packages, and organized and plotted using spreadsheets (e.g. Microsoft Excel). 

Produce and deliver toxicity test reports summarizing and interpreting the results from toxicity tests conducted under this program. Reports will include methods, results, statistical and QA/QC summaries, and discussion including comparisons with similar tests conducted at the site over the past 3 years. Historical data will be provided to the contractor by the Government.

Perform sample preparation, digestions, extractions, and running samples on the Liquid Chromotography/Mass Spectrometer (LC/MS) to analyze for target contaminants (Polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs], Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs], Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS]) using chemistry knowledge and applicable documents in section 2.4-2.6.

Maintain laboratory spaces as needed before and after testing.

Prepare and transmit Monthly Progress and Status Reports in accordance with basic Contract Data Requirement List (CDRL) (CDRL Data Item A001) and final Technical Report (CDRL Data Item A001)

Prepare and transmit a Contract Summary Report at the end of the Period of Performance (POP) documenting results of R&D efforts undertaken during the POP (CDRL Data Item A002).

Qualifications

MINIMUM EDUCATION

• None

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

• One-year of experience in laboratory work OR completion of one-year of college coursework in chemistry, physics, biology or bacteriology may be substituted for the required experience. Or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• B.S. in Biology, Chemistry or Environmental Science, or related field
• Experience in toxicological labs
• Experience in analytical chemistry labs

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.