CALS- Technician III- Insect Rearing Technician- Ashley School

About the role

The Technician III in the New York State Hemlock Initiative (NYSHI) section of the Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment, Natural Resources and the Environment, provides technical support to the initiative. This position involves managing the insect rearing operation in the quarantine greenhouse, collecting and maintaining biocontrol insects, training staff, and participating in various research projects.

Responsibilities

• Take full responsibility for the insect rearing operation in the quarantine greenhouse including setup/takedown of physical space and rearing cages, maintenance of cage integrity and cleanliness, intake and organization of western hemlock foliage into cages, collection of insects, recordkeeping, insect husbandry, sorting and preparing insects for releases, maintaining overall greenhouse cleanliness and sanitizing insect holding containers, communication with facilities coordinators and manager regarding space use and environmental settings, reporting supply and equipment needs to appropriate personnel.
• Manage records for laboratory project within the SARL quarantine facility to the standards required for the project and for inspections by federal and state regulators. Conduct and/or supervise data entry and error checking of data. Assist in developing quarterly reports based on data collected.
• Train others and delegate tasks to assistants. Ensure NYSHI staff adhere to quarantine standard operating procedures and safety protocols.
• Frequently check, maintain, and collect adult beetles from soil media in growth chambers. Place adult beetles on food to await release. Recordkeeping and reporting as above.
• Participate in outreach potentially including website maintenance, assistance with social media, and writing for the NYSHI newsletter or similar. Participate in outreach events such as Cornell’s InsectaPalooza.
• Assist with a variety of research projects such as: foliage dissections, fly rearing experiments, genetic analysis including DNA isolation and PCR, environmental DNA sample filtration and processing, and/or other projects as assigned.
• Support field projects if needed, such as HWA or eDNA field sampling and insect releases.
• Travel within New York State as needed.
• Participate in professional development in appropriate areas to enhance professional knowledge & skills.
• Act as SARL Quarantine Manager, reporting to the Quarantine Officer. Take responsibility for maintaining records and files relating to all work being done in the quarantine by all lab groups. Liaising among lab groups and between labs, CAES Chamber/SARL Supervisor, and Quarantine Officer. Alerting facilities to all repair and maintenance issues and assisting with communications to users. Training all new users on general procedures for quarantine use and safety. Assisting with tours and inspections of the facility as needed. Regularly checking the facility and equipment for any irregularities and working to correct them.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree and at least 1 year of experience
• Experience rearing insects in a laboratory, familiarity with insect identification
• Ability to follow regulations, standard operating procedures, and safety rules
• Personable, flexible; possess excellent organizational and communication skills (both written and oral); exercise sound and ethical judgment when acting on behalf of the University
• Ability to work independently and make decisions that lead to desired outcomes for lab projects
• Proficiency in word processing (MS Word) and spreadsheets and data summaries (MS Excel)
• Contribute to an inclusive and respectful work environment
• Flexibility to adjust hours and participate in scheduled weekend coverage during busy or critical project periods
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs, climb onto stepladders, and bend or crouch down, while wearing full Tyvek PPE suits and gloves in a warm environment
• Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted NYS driver’s license and be cleared to drive for university business
• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing