EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

 

Division: Math Science, & Business Technology

Department: Chemistry

Job title: Part-Time Chemistry Lab Assistant

Reports to: Biology Lab Coordinator

Supervises: The cleaning, equipment set-up, storage, and disposal of chemicals necessary in the daily routine of a science department.

Supervise student lab assistants with training and assigned tasks within the department, as well as assigning work schedules and monitoring time card completion.

Assign laboratory preparations task; train and supervise student workers and monitor their progress.

Position type: Part- time (between the hours of 7am to 5pm)

FLSA Status: Non- exempt

Job Purpose: The Laboratory Assistant is responsible for laboratory preparation; maintenance of scientific equipment and instrumentation; identification of equipment and supplies to be ordered; maintenance of inventory files; and maintaining a SDS list for chemistry department chemicals. This person will also maintain a current inventory files; and maintain a MSDS list for chemistry department’s chemicals. This person will also maintain a current inventory list of all capital equipment and chemicals purchased. The Laboratory Assistant will determine a schedule with the coordinator and adhere to this schedule.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide technical support for chemistry labs by preparing solutions, media, chemicals, glassware, and equipment.
• Monitor safety issues within all lab settings.
• Maintain a chemical inventory for the chemistry department, including industrial and household chemicals.
• Set up and put away laboratory experiments, equipment, glassware, and other related items.
• Evaluate experiments so that materials are kept in inventory so that labs can be performed. In some cases, determine modifications needed to fit available chemicals, or equipment.
• Maintain a schedule of laboratory experiments for all sections of laboratory chemistry courses. This will entail calculating amounts of materials needed so that all sections are able to perform the lab at their scheduled times.
• Prepare laboratory materials for each sections lab and maintain a procedure that ensures that all instructors have completed the lab prep before it is put away.
• Pretest experiments as requested by the instructor before they are used in the laboratory; determine materials needed to perform lab experiments.
• Maintain SDS records of all chemicals for science departments.
• Make appropriate recommendations for cost effective utilization of allocated resources.
• Maintain a reference library of scientific catalogs, instruction manuals, keys, trouble-shooter guides, and operation and parts manuals for chemistry equipment and models as requested.
• Gather information and prepare various reports and correspondence of a technical or scientific nature for the division as requested.
• Initiate and maintain the Globally Harmonized System of classification and labeling of all chemicals in the science areas.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES

• Create bar code system for chemicals and equipment and create a spread sheet of this inventory for chemistry.
• Check and correct inventory of community drawers in lab rooms and lab cabinets.
• Assist with Natural Science Department annual high school student open house.
• Dust and clean shelves and chemicals in the storerooms each semester.
• Promote a safe working environment.
• Maintain an orderly and clean environment in the laboratory preparation room and in the chemistry laboratory rooms.
• Assemble, calibrate, troubleshoot, and maintain laboratory equipment. This will include maintaining a log book for expensive laboratory instruments and documentation of issues to help in equipment repair.
• Set-up/tear down of laboratory practical’s and teacher demos.
• Provide technical support for biology labs by preparing solutions, media, chemicals, glassware, and equipment.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the division dean.

CONSULTING TASKS

• Assist instructors with lab preps in courses, such as forensic science, chemistry 1 and 11, organic chemistry, pre 1, and 2, and biochemistry.
• Notifying instructors of problem.
• Report lab/facility maintenance or repair problems.
• Work with faculty to develop and maintain procedures for the chemistry preparation areas.
• Work with faculty to develop a student safety check list for the chemistry department.
• Work with biology, fire science, and physics personnel to develop procedures for lab operations in their areas.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to recognize issues as they relate to OHSA compliance and provide the correct materials for the laboratory instruction to meet this compliance.
•  Prepare laboratory materials for each lab section and maintain a procedure that ensures that all instructors have completed the lab before put away. 
• Familiarity with procedures for the use and disposal of hazardous materials.
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to maintain positive working relationships with other employees.
• Knowledge of general office procedures and office filing systems.
• Ability to drive to area retailers to procure materials for lab experiments.
• Computer literacy required; familiarity with spreadsheet software preferred.
• Access and input data using computer equipment.
• Ability to devise or modify methods or processes to solve specific problems.
• The ability to understand and incorporate SDS information.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in a natural science major required, preference given for chemistry degree.
• Minimum 2-year laboratory experience with lab preparations in courses, such as forensic science, chemistry 1 & 2, organic chemistry 1, & 2, and biochemistry.
• Experience with lab schedules in relationship to constructing all materials needed to preform experiment.
• Experience with calculations to create solutions based on percentage or Molarity.
• Experience with handling and storage of a variety of hazardous materials.
• Experience with OSHA regulations.
• Experience with GHS.
• Experience with assembling, calibrating, troubleshooting, and maintaining laboratory equipment. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and talk or hear and sometimes walk and sit.  Occasionally the employee will bend or twist at the neck more than the average person.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift items.  The employee is directly responsible for safety, wellbeing, and work output.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as the ability to read handwritten or typed material, and the ability to adjust focus. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff.

Work involves extensive mobility within the office and the laboratory. Sit at workstation for up to two (2) hours at a time. Ability to concentrate on assigned tasks and to pay close attention to detail.

Lift up to twenty (40) pounds. Move, assemble, disassemble, adjust, and otherwise handle items of various sizes frequently. Physical requirements include a substantial amount of standing; the ability to work in a hazardous environment that includes obnoxious odors; the ability to lift and move items throughout the day; the ability to operate electronic balances, spec 20s, safety hoods, hot plates, mixer, meter, pH meters, etc.

SALARY:                 $22.06 per hour

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of position given this title and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job related duties through their hiring department. Specific job related duties assigned by hiring department shall be consistent with the representative essential functions listed above and shall not be expanded in role or scope.

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