Lab Coordinator - Biology
About Occidental College
Founded in 1887, Occidental is a nationally recognized, private college of the liberal arts and sciences, dedicated to providing a gifted and diverse group of students with a total educational experience of the highest quality -- one that prepares them for leadership in an increasingly complex, interdependent and pluralistic world.
What makes Occidental special? An intellectually rigorous academic environment. Small classroom settings where students collaborate with professors and their peers while pursuing or discovering their passion. A beautiful residential campus that offers students hands-on engagement with the cultural and intellectual resources of Los Angeles. A community open to stimulating conversation and divergent points of view. Some 2,100 students from 46 states and 28 countries choose from 41 majors and minors and participate in one the country’s top undergraduate research programs. Oxy students routinely win top awards and fellowships; its first Rhodes Scholar was named in 1907. Dedicated to excellence and equity, Occidental also is one of the country’s most economically diverse campuses, according to the New York Times. Some 71 percent of Oxy students receive some form of financial aid; 20 percent are Pell Grant recipients; and 19 percent are the first in their family to attend college
Job Details
Title: Lab Coordinator
Department: Biology
Duration: Indefinite (10 Months)
Employment Status: Non-Exempt, Full-Time, 40 hours/week (10 Months) & 20 hours/week (2 Months)
Job Summary
Reporting to the Assistant Director, the Lab Coordinator supports the effective operation of Biology teaching laboratories through coordination, preparation, and maintenance of lab materials and equipment. The Lab Coordinator works closely with faculty to implement lab exercises, managing supplies, and ensuring labs are properly set up. The Lab Coordinator will coordinate field trips, oversee animal and plant care, and supervise student workers.
Job Duties
- 55% - Prepare reagents, solutions, media, and chemicals, including autoclaving and pH adjustment for all Biology laboratory sections each semester, supporting approximately 8 different courses. Work in coordination with faculty and course instructors to determine specific needs for 100-, 200-, and 300-level courses and to effectively implement scheduled experiments. Proactively manage inventory by procuring and dispensing supplies based on enrollment and course demands. Maintain cleanliness, safety, and organization of lab spaces, and assist in the upkeep and routine maintenance of laboratory equipment to ensure operational readiness. - (Essential)
- 15% - Assist with receiving and distributing incoming lab materials and packages. Restock consumables and maintain inventory records. Clean biohazard waste bins and coordinate disposal. Perform basic equipment troubleshooting and communicate with vendors as necessary for service or supply orders. - (Essential)
- 15% - Assist with receiving and distributing packages, cleaning biohazard bins, restocking supplies, placing orders, performing basic equipment troubleshooting, and communicating with vendors. - (Essential)
- 10% - Provide care for animals and plants during holidays and academic breaks (winter and summer). Support general husbandry and maintenance in facilities such as vivariums, zebrafish aquaria, saltwater aquaria, and greenhouse. - (Essential)
- 5% - Prepare reagents and supplies for summer research projects. - (Essential)
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Applied Sciences with a focus on Animal Welfare or related field to position duties or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- One year of experience working in a laboratory setting and/or in animal care and handling.
- Valid California driver’s license with a clean driving record and must qualify to be an Occidental College designated driver.
- Basic knowledge of general biology principles.
- Extended knowledge and experience in laboratory and/or field biology techniques.
- Familiarity with laboratory equipment, reagent preparation, and animal husbandry practices.
- Ability to follow safety protocols and maintain a clean and organized lab environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google drives/folders/forms, Adobe Acrobat, Web Editing, and social media applications or any combination of productivity programs applicable to position responsibilities.
- Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and thorough; skilled at anticipating and preventing potential problems and handling a wide variety of tasks with efficiency and accuracy.
- Strong commitment to a quality work product.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally, in writing and electronically.
- Effective interpersonal skills as evidenced in the ability to collaborate with a variety of constituencies.
- Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, inclusion & diversity.
- Demonstrated skill in adapting to and performing work effectively in high-volume, high accountability, confidential environment with multiple and changing priorities.
- Effective organizational, logistical, time management and planning skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks/projects simultaneously, prioritize and fulfill the functions of an office in a timely manner.
- Ability to self-motivate and work independently.
- Ability to provide effective leadership and training, and to work effectively and professionally across functions, disciplines, levels, and with diverse groups.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience supporting higher education biology labs or research projects.
- Supervisory experience working with student assistants or volunteers in a lab setting.
- Proven experience preparing materials and reagents specifically for molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, and/or genetics laboratories.
- Strong working knowledge of laboratory safety rules, regulations, and Safety Data Sheets (SDS), including the safe handling, storage, and disposal of chemical hazards.
- Possession of basic first aid skills or certification.
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