Commitment to Mission

This job carries with it the obligation to uphold the Mission of Lone Star College (LSC) in carrying out the duties of the position. A commitment to positive interpersonal behaviors, professional communication, integrity, leadership, stewardship, respect and accountability to LSC students and employees is essential.

Cultural Beliefs

• One LSC
• Student Focused
• Own It
• Foster Belonging
• Cultivate Community
• Choose Learning

Campus Marketing Statement

Lone Star College-North Harris

Lone Star College offers high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education to 80,000+ students each semester. LSC has been named a 2023 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education.

LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College.

Lone Star College-North Harris, nestled on 200 acres of piney woods, is the original and largest college in the Lone Star College System family. Serving the community for more than three decades, LSC-North Harris offers more than 60 programs of study, including university-transfer and numerous education courses and programs. LSC-North Harris is keenly focused on leading-edge technology in emerging technical job fields.

Location address is 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, Houston, TX 77073.

Job Description

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

The Specialist III, Science Lab prepares the science labs, assists the Lab Coordinator with preparation of other labs, and provides routine lab support. Provides logistic and material support to instructors and students by providing sterile viable biological samples and material reagents, troubleshooting laboratories, properly disposing of waste, and maintaining uncontaminated stock cultures. In addition, provides assistance in the training of student workers and new faculty in the proper use of equipment, procedures and regulations. Maintains documentation of current stock and reorders stock, reagents, and materials.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Properly handle and dispose of biohazardous waste following a strict protocol
2. Maintain and transfer live bacterial cultures for laboratory classes; Bacteria, Viruses and Fungus
3. Maintain stock of supplies in the microbiology laboratory classroom
4. Advise lab coordinator about reordering of supplies
5. Support the lab coordinator and faculty in the preparation of biology labs; troubleshooting laboratories as needed with live organisms as they do not always yield expected results
6. Provide routine lab support including all aspects of lab safety and preparedness, cleaning, inspection and maintenance of lab classrooms, equipment, and supplies
7. Prepare culture media for microbiology labs, chemicals, stains, reagents, and create stocks to be used by students and instructors in the laboratory
8. Flexibility in schedule to ensure each section, regardless of time of day, receives the same care
9. Provide logistic support in the creation of schedules and practices for each semester with the aid of faculty
10. Train faculty to ensure they follow proper procedures when handling waste and biological samples
11. Train employees on the use of equipment for the creation of media, reagents and on the sterilization equipment used for the biological hazard material generated
12. Create protocols and standard operating procedures to be used in the laboratory by students, instructors and employees
13. Create, maintain, and purchase inventories for stock cultures, media reagents and the preparation of stock cultures, as well as hazardous reagents and materials used in the laboratory
14. Responsible for other reasonable, related duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to use software products
• Ability to work on multiple projects
• Ability to work with a diverse group of faculty and staff
• Good safety record and must be safety consciousness
• Ability to document expenses
• Ability to instruct and supervise student assistants
• Extensive knowledge of biological procedures and protocols

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or GED and at least 3 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience