Lab Technician I, Natural Sciences

Department: Natural Sciences • Location: Western Campus • Full-Time Support Staff • Union Position

About the role

The Laboratory Technician I prepares laboratory classrooms and demonstrations according to lesson plans, assists in troubleshooting equipment and software, and ensures proper cleanup and security of the laboratory after each session.

Responsibilities

• Prepares classroom laboratory workstations with necessary materials and apparatus for experiments
• Sets up and prepares experiments and demonstrations for classroom use
• Arranges supplies and equipment as laboratory requirements change
• Maintains and cleans the laboratory, stockroom, equipment, and glassware
• Fills tubes, bottles, and containers with specified solutions/materials and applies identification labels
• Properly disposes of laboratory waste materials
• Assists faculty in the laboratory, including during educational sessions, by providing technical troubleshooting support
• Performs minor repairs and maintenance of laboratory equipment and tools
• Assists faculty with the development and implementation of new laboratory procedures and/or curricula
• Secures laboratory area
• Assists with annual inventory
• May record and monitor expenditures and charges relevant to laboratory operation
• May functionally supervise Work Study Students, Student Assistants, and Part-Time Lab Technicians
• Prepares, maintains, and monitors supplies and equipment inventory
• Assists Lab Supervisor in ordering, receiving, and storing supplies
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Maintains living plants and animals (e.g., rodents) as needed

Requirements

• High School degree or GED
• Minimum of two years of experience in a laboratory-based Science (Biology, MLT, Chemistry, Physics, or equivalent in Health Careers and Sciences)
• Basic computer, math, and grammar skills
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to read and interpret documents including Safety Data Sheets (SDS), safety rules, operating instructions, and procedure manuals
• Ability to determine needs and identify solutions
• Working knowledge of laboratory concepts, practices, and procedures
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Experience with data collection and diagnostic software/equipment (e.g., Vernier, Pasco, iWorx)

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree

Competencies

• Critical Competencies: Service Focus, Quality of Work, Communication
• Very Important Competencies: Time Utilization, Adaptability
• Important Competencies: Collaboration, Continuous Improvement

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

• Work is partially performed in a laboratory setting with exposure to hazards such as moving mechanical parts, electrical current, open flames, chemicals, or biological hazards
• May involve exposure to animals in the laboratory
• May require walking and standing, including travel to and attendance at meetings and conferences away from the worksite

Pay

Target hiring rate: Minimum salary $40,156 annually

Schedule

Evenings, Monday–Friday