"Laboratory Instrument Specialist"

Posting Details

Posting Details

Posting Number S156

Classification Title Chemistry Technician

Working Title Laboratory Instrument Specialist

Department Dean's Office - COST

Home Campus Bloomsburg

Bargaining Unit AFSCME - Agreement

Work Location Home Campus

Position Type Staff

Temporary/ Permanent Permanent

Full-time/ Part-time Full-Time

If Part-time, specify percentage (Examples: 0.75; 0.50; 0.25) 

Benefits 

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education provides a comprehensive package of employer benefits to eligible employees and their enrolled dependent(s), which include*:

Medical and prescription drug benefits.

Generous retirement plans, two options:

Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP)

State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS)

Tuition benefits for employees and dependents.

Paid time off.

Employer-paid dental and vision benefits.

Employer-paid life insurance.

Voluntary insurances and additional retirement programs.

*Specific benefits may vary based upon university, employee group and/or collective bargaining unit. Visit: http://www.passhe.edu/inside/HR/syshr/healthcare/Pages/Summary-of-Benefits.aspx for additional information regarding benefits.

To be eligible for most benefits, you must be a permanent, full-time employee (including temporary, full-time faculty with at least an academic year contract) or a permanent, part-time employee (including temporary, part-time faculty with at least an academic year contract) who is scheduled to work every pay period for at least 50% of full-time hours.

Start Time 8:00

End Time 16:30

Hours Per Week 37.5 hours per week

Days Worked (Check all that apply) Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri

Salary $39,003.00/annual in accordance with the AFSCME CBA

Anticipated Start Date 

06/01/2024

Anticipated End Date 

N/A

Position Summary Information

Position Purpose 

The Laboratory Instrument Specialist supports teaching and research instrumentation within the College of Science and Technology. This position is responsible for installation, maintenance, service, repair, replacement, and record keeping of instruments used for teaching and research. This includes all types of scientific, electronic, mechanical, and optical equipment used in the laboratories on all campuses of the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. The incumbent is also responsible for the repair and replacement budget in the college, contacting vendors to arrange and coordinate repairs, and aiding faculty and staff in repair and replacement of instruments.

Description of Duties 

Provide technical support, routine service and maintenance, calibration and operational support to scientific instrumentation. General service and maintenance of all college teaching and research instruments at all campuses. Travel to all CU campuses on a regular basis is needed to perform these duties.

Calibrate and maintain the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometers, including weekly refills of cryogenic liquid nitrogen and cryogenic liquid helium on a schedule. Uses appropriate safety measures.

Makes minor repair, service, and maintenance to instruments as needed. Arrange for external repair for instruments as needed. Coordinates with vendors and external service providers for larger repairs of instrumentation.

Provide information to faculty about capabilities of instruments; work with faculty to develop technical specifications for the purchases of scientific equipment for the college and bring recommendation to the Dean/Chair to make decisions about instrument purchases; interact with sales representatives concerning demonstrations; keep abreast of the latest technology to inform purchase decisions.

Manage maintenance contracts yearly, perform all budget transactions involved, schedule and oversee all site visits. Ensuring all terms and conditions are achieved for each contract agreement. Contract totals $65,000 per fiscal year.

Manage all aspects of contracts, PRs, and budget to ensure timely repair and replacement functions within COST either by use of Ariba Source Point or the Purchasing Card associated with the fund center. Ensure minimal impact on teaching schedule in academic classes and labs. Operating Budget $150,000 per fiscal year.

Acts as point person for building related functions within Hartline Science Center. Works with Facilities for building related events, repairs, shutdowns, and emergencies. Works with Facilities on many electrical, plumbing and HVAC projects required for the installation of lab instrumentation. This ensures that scheduled timelines remain on track, avoids any possible damage to instrumentation in the labs, and maintains a stable environment for proper operation.

Assist students, instructors, and administrators with the technical aspects of demonstrations and special equipment required in laboratories.

Develop schedules and timelines for improvement, maintenance, and repair projects.

Travel to CU campuses, other than home campus, as needed.

Maintains equipment list and records of maintenance and calibration.

Performs related work as required and assigned by the Dean.

Decision Making 

1. Review and determine maintenance and service schedule for instruments in COST across all three campuses. Collaborate and Coordinate with other pertinent staff in the college as well as faculty in the respective departments.

2. Review and rank (with rationale) AE Equipment Repair and Replacement requests submitted by the departments.

3. Research and determine vendors for maintenance, service, and repair of instruments. Work in collaboration with faculty/chairs and other staff as needed.

Fiscal Responsibility 

Responsible for Repair and Replacement fund center in the Dean’s budget. Monitors the budget year around and invests the funds to ensure minimal impact on teaching and research. Reviews and prioritizes the requests/needs from all campuses and either makes decision or brings complete information to the Dean’s attention so as to ensure critical items are addressed in a timely manner. While all expenses out of this fund center are approved by the Dean, not every item needs prior approval from the Dean. The individual should be able to use good judgement and consult with the Dean on items that needs prior approval.

Supervisory Responsibility 

May occasionally supervise student workers to maintain and service instruments.

Minimum Requirements Profile 

Completion of 60 college credits including nine credits in chemistry, natural science, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications 

Bachelor’s in science, engineering, technology or related field as well as three years of demonstrated post-baccalaureate experience managing instrumentation or relevant experience.

ORAssociates Degree in science, engineering, or technology along with seven years of demonstrated experience managing instrumentation or relevant experience.

Previous experience in maintenance, use or operation of scientific instruments such as NMR, SEM, Confocal Microscope, XRD, chromatography, spectroscopy, electrical instruments used in college science and engineering labs is preferred.

Applicant Rating Criteria 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate and work with faculty, staff, students, facilities, and vendors

Ability to monitor relevant tasks and manage projects, implementing changes as needed to complete projects within scheduled time frame

Must work well independently and as part of a team, take initiative and manage multiple tasks simultaneously

Knowledge and skills in the areas of scientific instrumentation is required and experience with instrument troubleshooting and repair is preferred

Well versed in MS word, Excel and other basic skills to be able to effectively communicate, monitor budgets, and perform day-to-day responsibilities of the job

Need to be able to respond to occasional equipment emergencies (power outages, floods, etc.).

Knowledge of cryogens and filling low temperature devices with LN2 and liquid He

Knowledge of electric, electronic, mechanical, and vacuum systems and equipment used in the learning and science laboratories.

Skills in the use of various electronic test measurement equipment.

Ability to install and maintain complex electronic systems.

Ability to construct electronic devices from general instructions.

Ability to analyze and interpret schematic diagrams, electronic specifications, and equipment manuals.

Essential Functions 

1. Sitting – 49%; walking – 2%; standing – 49%

2. Working indoors – 95% and Outdoors (for errands) – 5%

3. Frequent lifting of objects weighing 25 to 50 pounds without assistance

4. Reaching for objects at, above and below shoulder

5. Occasionally twisting at waist, and stretching to reach objects

6. Basic math skills and advanced math skills

7. Reading skills including understanding written documents

8. Extensive verbal communication skills

9. Extensive writing skills in preparing and organizing complex documents

10. Sensory skills, i.e. visual, hearing, speaking, touch, and smell

11. Keyboard skills

12. Driving with valid driver’s license

Posting Detail Information

Open Date mm-dd-yyyy 04/16/2024

Close Date mm-dd-yyyy 

Open Until Filled Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants 

For full consideration, applications must be received by May 7, 2024.

Finalists for this position must communicate well and successfully complete an interview process.

Completing this search is contingent upon available funding.

Background Clearances 

Offers of employment are conditional, pending successful completion of the background clearances mandated by Act 153 of 2014 and Board of Governors Policy 2014-01-A: Protection of Minors. In order to qualify for a provisional appointment, the Applicant Acknowledgement Consent Form, Provisional Hire Form, Pennsylvania State Police and Justifacts portion of the clearance process must be successfully completed prior to your start date. The remaining PA Child Abuse History Clearance and FBI Clearance must be successfully completed and returned as soon as possible within the first 90 days of employment.

Diversity Statement 

At Commonwealth University we recognize our responsibility to continuously support a living, learning, and working environment that values the diverse contributions from all members of our campus community. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion enriches our campus community and is instrumental to our institutional success. Commonwealth University strives to cultivate a campus climate that allows all members to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion as we achieve success both in and out of the classroom, in our work responsibilities, and in our professional lives beyond Commonwealth University. We uphold our commitment to DEI by:

• Actively supporting and promoting the intellectual and personal growth of our students, inside and outside of the classroom.

• Providing workshops, trainings, programs designed to broaden the knowledge and understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion within our campus community.

• Ensuring that all learning and living environments throughout our campus are welcoming and capable of serving all individuals.

Title IX/Clery 

The University prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, marital or family status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability in any decision regarding admissions, employment, or participation in a University program or activity in accordance with the letter and spirit of federal, state, and local non-discrimination and equal opportunity laws, such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendments Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.

The University also complies with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crimes Statistics Act, as amended by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Title IX prohibits retaliation for asserting or otherwise participating in claims of sex discrimination. VAWA imposes additional duties on universities and colleges to investigate and respond to reports of sexual assault, stalking, and dating or domestic violence, and to publish policies and procedures related to the way these reports are handled. The University has designated the Title IX Coordinator (Jennifer Raup, Elwell Hall, ORL, 570-389-4808, jraup@commonwealthu.edu or titleixcoord@commonwealthu.edu), to coordinate the University’s compliance with Title IX and VAWA and to respond to reports of violations. The University has directed the Police Department to coordinate the University’s compliance with the VAWA-related Clery reporting requirements. Additionally, inquiries concerning Title IX and its implementing regulation can be made to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, Region III, The Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East – Suite 505, Philadelphia, PA 19107; Phone: (215) 656-6010; Fax: (215) 656-6020.

About Commonwealth University of PA 

The Power of Three Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield universities have joined forces to boldly transform higher education in our region and beyond. While we are uniting as Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, you can expect a college experience that is anything but common.

We’re Honoring our History by preserving the founding principles of each campus and continuing our vibrant on-campus student experience, serving as pillars of our communities, supporting students and our neighbors alike.

We’re Investing in Today by answering the greatest challenges facing higher education: accessibility, cost, quality, and relevance through the combined strength of our storied institutions.

We’re Building a Powerful Tomorrow by boldly changing the trajectory of public education to position ourselves for growth, increased access, and to meet economic and workforce development needs in our region, across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Quick Link https://commonwealthu.peopleadmin.com/postings/1967

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Resume

Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Transcripts

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* Are you a current employee of the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield)?

Yes

No

* I am a current AFSCME employee at the Bloomsburg campus desiring to transfer to another AFSCME position in the same, equivalent or lower level classification per Article 29, Seniority, Section 10.

Yes

No

* Have you completed at least 60 college credits, including 9 credits in chemistry, natural sciences or a related field?

Yes

No

* How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?

Under 1 year

1-3 years

4-6 years

Over 7 years

* Can you perform the essential duties of this position with or without accommodations?

Yes

No

* How did you hear about this employment opportunity?

Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Career Site

PA CareerLink

LinkedIn

Indeed

HigherEdJobs

Local Newspaper

Technical School/College Job Board

Other

If you selected "Other" for the question above, please list the source:

(Open Ended Question)