Laboratory Specialist

Department: Biology General Statement of Job The Lab Specialist II - Biology is responsible for supporting day-to-day laboratory operations in one or more of the following areas: biology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, genetics, Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES), nutrition, and any other biology course with a lab component. Maintains safety in the Biology labs according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Global Harmonized System (GHS) guidelines, which includes but not limited to maintaining eye wash stations, maintaining properly labeled receptacles for broken glass, maintaining receptacles for various waste streams, and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). Specific Duties and Responsibilities Essential Functions Responsible for supporting day-to-day laboratory operations in one or more of the following areas: biology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, genetics, Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES), nutrition, and any other biology course with a lab component; potentially at multiple locations and various high school locations. Collaborates with faculty to plan and organize weekly lab activities to ensure that instructional materials and lab experiments are available as needed. Assists lab instructors during regularly scheduled labs or as needed. Develops adequate training aids to train students and/or faculty on equipment use, as needed. Performs and assists in preparatory work for the Biology laboratories including, but not limited to, reagent preparation, performing experiments and demonstrations in the specialty area, and preparing carts with materials for lab. Mixes flammable, acidic, alkaline or corrosive liquids. Cultures and maintains pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria. Sterilizes equipment and bacterial media and waste using an autoclave. Manages waste for the labs in compliance with federal, state, and local laws. Assists with completion of chemical hygiene plan for the division. Maintains laboratory inventory and equipment. Maintains accurate records related to inventory and operation of laboratory. Orders, receives, issues, and stores materials, parts, and supplies. Assists with the review of bids on materials and equipment purchases, as needed. Performs routine repairs on equipment, and notifies proper personnel for warranty maintenance and major non-warranty repairs. Coordinates and assists with special events and community workshops, as needed. Recommends laboratory equipment and researches potential new laboratory experiments as needed or as requested by faculty. Maintains equipment and lab rooms in a clean and orderly condition. Coordinates Biology laboratory courses according to lab availability. Cross-trains in other biology courses (anatomy and physiology, microbiology, genetics, SEA-PHAGES, nutrition, and any other biology course with a lab component) to assist faculty in the other disciplines within the Biology department, as needed. Responsible for managing the labs and may be temporarily assigned to other campuses, as needed. Travels throughout the college district, as needed. Interviews, conducts reference checks, selects, trains, and supervises the Biology part-time staff. Performs other duties as assigned. Required Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in Biology or related field required. At least two (2) years of experience in a science lab setting preferred. Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills. Strong computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office including, but not limited to, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, the Windows environment, and internet research skills. Knowledge of the science field, preferably Biology. Familiarity of a science laboratory, including safety and precautions. Ability to use specialized instruments, equipment, software and perform experiments and demonstrations in the specialty area. Knowledge of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Global Harmonized System (GHS) guidelines. Ability to prioritize, organize, and complete multiple tasks with attention to detail, within stated deadlines. Ability to adapt to constant change and periods of fast-paced, high-intensity work situations. Ability to work independently as well as a team player within department and with others. Ability to work evenings and/or weekends as needed; willing to travel throughout the college district using own means of reliable transportation. Demonstrated commitment to achieving the vision and mission of South Texas College. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to inquiries from groups of students, faculty, staff, and the general public. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Checks, Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations Security Sensitive position: All applicants are subject to a criminal background check under South Texas College policy. Must have or qualify for a valid Texas driver's license and proof of liability insurance. Physical Requirements Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine. Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips. Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling. Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm. Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound. Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles. Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes. Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely. Standing particularly for sustained periods of time. Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles. Close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading, including color, depth perception, and field vision. Close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and operation of machines, using measurement devices, and/or assembly or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes. Mobility to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another. Work Environment While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to chemicals, fumes, particulates and organisms that may present health hazards if not handled according to safety protocols; standing frequently; may be required to work at multiple campus locations and various high school locations; may be required to work outdoors. Work hours frequently include evenings and weekends throughout the year depending on course and laboratory schedules. The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job #J-18808-Ljbffr