"Laboratory Specialist - Biology"

Job Summary

Incumbents assist instructors, staff, faculty and students in the lab of an assigned program, and coordinate laboratory experiments and activities.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

• Preparation of biological media
• Inoculation of bacterial colonies and maintenance
• Animal care (fish, snake, lizard)
• Maintenance and disposal of hazardous materials
• Operation and maintenance of sterilization equipment (autoclave)

Essential Functions

• Prepare, set up, dispose, store, procure, clean, and/or maintain equipment, instruments, chemicals, materials, models, slides, specimens, and/or software necessary for laboratory experiments and activities; work may also involve fabricating tools.
• Ensure that all operations are performed in compliance with experimental and demonstration protocols, safety procedures, chemical handling and collection guidelines, and other applicable laws, guidelines, policies, and regulations; work may involve reviewing new experimental protocols or lab manuals to ensure safety procedures are followed.
• Provide training and guidance to lower-level staff and student workers; work involves prioritizing and assigning work and ensuring that work is performed in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.
• Coordinate assigned and routine laboratory activities, to include preparing laboratory schedules; proctoring exams when needed; monitoring student safety; conducting trainings for students on assigned laboratory tools, equipment, and operations; conducting student tours and demos; responding to laboratory-related inquiries via phone or in person; and coordinating requests for equipment and supplies.
• Prepare and submit purchase requisitions to appropriate departments or personnel; work may involve updating vendors on order status, compiling bid specification information, and making recommendations for equipment maintenance and purchase.
• Maintain laboratory inventory, to include ordering and maintaining supplies, equipment, chemicals, specimens, instruments, and other materials; checking out tools, supplies, and equipment to faculty or students; storing samples and specimens; researching information regarding applicable supplies and materials; and maintaining purchase receipts, logs, and other documentation.
• Assist with developing the departmental budget, to include assessing departmental needs and monitoring expenditures.
• Prepare, maintain, and/or distribute billing, protocol, chemical usage, inventory logs, curriculum, and other reports, lists, records, manuals, and other documentation; work may involve researching and compiling information, and ensuring information accuracy.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Physical Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associates degree related to the assigned program*
• One (1) year related experience of assigned program or laboratory support

*Minimum Education Qualification can be substituted with an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of laboratory equipment, materials, and activities in assigned area of operation
• Knowledge of computers and related software applications
• Knowledge of inventory management principles
• Knowledge of teaching principles and practices
• Knowledge of chemical solutions
• Knowledge of sterilization techniques
• Skilled in providing teaching assistance
• Skilled in using a computer and related software applications
• Skilled in managing an inventory
• Skilled in preparing chemical solutions
• Skilled in sterilizing tools and glassware
• Skilled in performing minor repairs on and maintaining lab equipment
• Skilled in utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, and others sufficient to exchange or convey information

Physical Requirements

Positions in this class typically require balancing, climbing, feeling, grasping, hearing, keyboarding, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking. The work is very heavy work which requires exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Incumbents may be exposed to hazardous physical conditions, such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, and vibrations; atmospheric conditions, such as fumes, odors, gases, and poor ventilation; hazardous materials, such as chemicals, blood, and other bodily fluids; extreme temperatures; inadequate lighting; and intense noise.

Supplemental Information

EEO Statement: Metropolitan Community College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any person based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, birth, ancestry, national origin, or disability. EOE/M/F/Vets/Disabled

Accommodations: MCC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, MCC will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations in all aspects of employment, including the application process. To request an accommodation and/or a copy of the Americans with Disabilities Act applicant procedures, please contact the Office of Human Resources.