Laboratory Technician; Physical Science

Laboratory Technician (Physical Science)

Perform specialized chemical lab duties as required using knowledge from a chemistry education and the experience level required for this position. These duties include the determination and preparation of the proper concentrations of a variety of chemical solutions and the best packaging and placement for students' safe usage in addition to water storage. Also required is the setup and removal of laboratory equipment for the student exercises, experiments and faculty demonstrations for the chemistry labs.

Prepare and store all chemicals and solutions in a safe manner as to meet state OSHA requirements. Work closely with the faculty and full-time laboratory manager to identify and mitigate laboratory safety hazards. Excellent communication and organization skills are a must.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Additional related duties may be assigned:

• Prepare materials and anticipate prompt setup and take down of those items and resources needed for the chemistry labs to operate appropriately, including experiments and lab practicals.
• Prepare stock solutions and unknowns using analytical equipment.
• Provide laboratory solutions and chemicals in appropriately labeled containers and in amounts suitable for student use and to reduce waste and contamination.
• Maintain and restock general laboratory utility equipment as necessary for student use.
• Repair breakdowns of small equipment and facilitate glass waste removal.
• Perform daily maintenance and rudimentary cleaning of equipment and countertops in student laboratories and storage rooms to ensure a safe and clean work environment.
• Maintain a safe and logically ordered laboratory storage room.
• Clean and wash laboratory equipment and glassware which has been cleaned improperly by the students after their use.
• Assist the full-time Laboratory Manager in ordering chemical supplies using Colleague and assorted vendors as needed.
• Assist in maintaining the chemical inventory database of all chemicals in stock.
• Assist in updating the computer database of experiment setup sheets.
• Assist in coordinating laboratory check-in and check-out procedures.
• Conduct informational tours for prospective students as needed.
• Assist in providing for the safe storage of in-house generated hazardous wastes.
• Possess the ability to prioritize and organize work effectively, to work with minimal supervision, and to develop and maintain effective working relationships with faculty and the full-time lab manager.

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

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in life science or physical science (preferred) or Bachelor's degree in Education or related field with a major in Chemistry; must have minimum 20 hours total, including both chemistry and physics.
• Working knowledge of: adherence to proper laboratory safety practices and procedures, computers and software, analytical instrumentation operation and maintenance, spreadsheets and databases.
• The successful candidate must have the desire and ability to interact positively with all Physical Science faculty (Chemistry, Physics, Geology, and Physical Geography).

While performing the duties of this job, the employee works indoors. The employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, talk and hear.