Biology Teaching Laboratory Support Technician

JOB SUMMARY Under supervision, as part of the Biology Teaching Laboratories instructional support team, the incumbent will provide technical and logistical support to laboratory course offerings in the Biological Sciences by preparing and organizing materials, analyzing and testing protocols, and maintaining order and cleanliness in the BTL. This position supports courses offered by the Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Department, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, and the Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology Department. APPOINTMENT INFORMATION Budgeted Salary: $31.34/hour. Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits. Schedule: Full‑time, Fixed; 40 hours per week; Monday‑Friday; day shift. Employee Classification: Career appointment. Job End Date: None. Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus. Union Representation: RX Union. Job Code Classification: 009617 (SRA 2 NEX). Travel: Never or Rarely. JOB DUTIES 55% – Laboratory Course Preparation and Organization Prepare laboratory materials, set up instruments, and provide field equipment in a timely, safe, and economical manner. Safely prepare chemical reagents and culture media in appropriate amounts. Test effectiveness of reagents and media as needed. Keep written records of work in laboratory notebooks and electronic files. Clean and store equipment and materials after exercises. Maintain order, cleanliness, and safety in the BTL. Coordinate equipment use by different classes. Negotiate short‑term loans of equipment or supplies from research labs or other campus units as needed. Place orders for equipment, chemicals, and supplies from external vendors promptly. Test, calibrate, and perform minor repairs to lab instrumentation. Provide written and oral instructions on equipment use to colleagues, instructors, TAs and students. Serve as resource when questions concerning equipment use or protocols arise during courses. Direct students to clean lab benches, glassware and other equipment. Transport equipment and supplies between the main campus and the Coastal Sciences Campus. Implement proper record‑keeping procedures for departmental inventories and storage. Maintain teaching collections of living organisms such as bacteria, yeasts, fruit flies, plants and other experimental cultures. Determine and plan maintenance schedules. Prepare culture media and perform transfers. Collect organisms in the field when necessary. 20% – Analysis and Testing of Course‑specific Experimental Protocols Determine equipment, reagents, media and supplies needed by laboratory and field courses by reviewing written protocols and consulting instructors. Test experimental protocols and suggest modifications as necessary. 20% – Hazardous Materials Handling and Disposal Coordinate efficient and safe use of hazardous chemicals and biohazardous materials as required by UCSC Environmental Health and Safety. Notify students and instructors of hazards, required PPE and safety precautions. Implement monitoring and decontamination procedures for equipment and laboratories. Execute required procedures for disposal of chemical and biohazard waste. 5% – Supervision of Work‑study Student Assistants Train students in laboratory procedures and safety measures. Assign tasks on a daily basis. Participate in the recruitment and evaluation of work‑study student assistants. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics principles through bachelor’s or master’s coursework and specialized knowledge of modern laboratory and field biology. Proficiency in laboratory skills: accurate weighing, mixing chemicals and media, pH adjustment, sterilization, dispensing, sterile transfer, dilutions, molarities and ancillary calculations. Experience maintaining, troubleshooting and performing routine repairs of laboratory equipment such as balances, pH meters, centrifuges, microscopes, pipettors, spectrophotometers and electrophoresis units. Ability to plan, organize and prioritize tasks to meet strict deadlines. Experience writing test protocols and performing basic experimental lab procedures for diagnostic analyses of reagents and media. Critical reading and comprehension of technical literature. Effective interaction with diverse groups of faculty, staff and students and engaging them in technical dialogue. Cooperative team working experience. Ability to train and supervise student employees. Experience safely handling toxic chemicals and biohazards. Experience procuring materials based on cost and serviceability and determining adequacy of alternate products. Experience handling and maintaining living organisms such as bacteria, yeast, plants and invertebrates. Ability to work quickly, accurately and independently in a fast‑paced environment with frequent interruptions. Knowledge of information technology: word processing, spreadsheets and database programs. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Degree in Biology or Chemistry with coursework in biochemistry, microbiology, molecular or cell biology. Experience as a laboratory technician preparing experiments for college‑level courses in molecular biology or biochemistry. Experience using hand tools, small power tools and test equipment. SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Pass a pre‑employment criminal history background check. Pass the employment misconduct disclosure process. Required to work all scheduled hours on‑site. Work in a laboratory environment with biological materials, hazardous chemicals, biohazards, fumes, heat sources and glassware. Ability to lift and move laboratory equipment up to 40 lb. Risk of exposure to fire, chemical reactions or electrical shock. Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends. Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus. Complete required training within established time frames, including UC compliance training. Comply with UC vaccination policy for all employees. Report known or suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. EEO/AA The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti‑Discrimination Policy. The university undertakes affirmative action and anti‑discrimination efforts pursuant to its contractual obligations. #J-18808-Ljbffr