Laboratory Associate

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Job description

Position Title:

Laboratory Associate

Position Type:

Regular

Salary Range:

Hourly rate: $24.17 - $27.78

Pay Frequency:

Hourly

Position Purpose

A member of the STEM teaching laboratory support team, this position provides support for day-to-day laboratory operations. Primary areas of responsibility include: procurement and preparation of laboratory equipment, supplies and chemicals; proper disposal of hazardous waste; management of hazardous materials storage areas; management of inventory systems; general facilities monitoring; and supervision of student employees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Support of Laboratory Operations

* Preparation of teaching labs for class, including chemicals, media, supplies, equipment and student lockers
* Daily or weekly setup and tear-down of lab exercises and experiments
* Prepare and stock chemicals and media with waste containers in labs
* Stock glassware, instrumentation, equipment and other supplies in labs
* Perform routine and complex maintenance of lab equipment and instrumentation
* Ensure cleanliness and order in teaching and preparatory laboratories as well as wash room
* As directed by first-level supervisor, provide specific support to research laboratories.

2. Materials Management

* Arrange for the purchase of laboratory chemicals and supplies; follow procedures when using a university purchasing card, purchase orders, and blanket purchase orders
* Track purchases and maintain records
* Assist with management of, or fully manage, chemical storage areas supporting teaching and research laboratories
* Assist with management of, or fully manage, chemical inventory system
* Assist with coordination of, or fully coordinate, hazardous waste collection, storage and disposal with outside vendors
* Assist with coordination of, or fully maintain, hazardous waste records in compliance with local, state and federal regulations

3. Environmental Health and Safety

* Ensure health and safety policies are followed
* Inspecting safety equipment (personal protective equipment, fume hoods, fire extinguishers etc.) for availability and working condition; make repairs and adjustments when applicable, or request action when appropriate.
* Assist with maintenance and organization of records of safety training, as appropriate.
* Regularly receive required training to remain current on best practices; independently strive to maintain and improve expertise in hazardous materials safety and waste management; and educate staff, faculty and students
* Participate in and coordinate safety inspections and emergency preparedness drills

4. General Facilities

* Routinely inspect teaching and preparatory labs and take corrective action as necessary
* As needed, serve as liaison with university operations department; monitor work of external vendors and coordinate access to building with campus safety

5. Supervision of Student employees

* Recruit, hire, train, and supervise teaching and technical assistants.
* Ensure environmental health and safety and other training is current for student employees
* Maintain attendance records and approve timesheets for student employees

6. Other Duties as Assigned

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Recommends initiatives and implements changes to improve quality of the students learning experience. Identifies and determines cause of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices. Communicates with students, faculty, and staff and solicits feedback for improved services. Maximizes productivity through use of appropriate tools; planned training and performance initiatives. Researches and develops resources that create timely and efficient workflow. Develops and implements standard operating procedures to support laboratory operations.

Provides Work Direction

Hiring, training and supervision of student employees.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred.

This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural academic environment.

Physical Demands

* Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal
* Considerable time is spent in a laboratory environment
* May be required to stand for prolonged periods
* May be required to move or lift heavy objects, up to 50 pounds
* May be required to travel to other buildings on the campus
* May be required to attend training sessions off campus
* May be required to occasionally travel to outside customers, vendors or suppliers.

Work Environment

* Typical laboratory / office environment
* Laboratories with hazardous materials
* Laboratories with equipment noise
* Laboratories / Offices with frequent interruptions

Knowledge

* Understanding of life and physical science and experimental laboratory techniques (varies by department / classes served)
* Knowledge of maintenance and repair of laboratory equipment and instrumentation
* Working knowledge of chemical and physical hazards found in scientific laboratories
* Understand and support the values and ideals of a Jesuit education
* Sound understanding of safety principles and protocols

Skills

* Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and databases
* Excellent oral and written communication skills
* Excellent organizational skills with attention to accuracy and detail
* Demonstrated ability to balance and respond to a complex and wide variety of demands
* Willingness to take initiative and be flexible while working with a team

Abilities

* Ability to learn new laboratory techniques and processes
* Ability to hire, train, and supervise student workers
* Ability to prepare and present safety training sessions
* Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, and faculty
* Ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion

Education and/or Experience

Required:

Bachelor's or higher degree in a physical science such as: Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Bio-engineering, Physics, or similar field and experience.

Preferred:

1) Bio-molecular Engineering

2) Bio-materials Engineering

3) Bio-device Engineering

4) Computational Bio-engineering

5) Bio-instrumentation (centrifuge, PCR thermal cycler, ITC, plate reader, FACS, fluorescent microscopes, shakers, incubators, FPLC, Biosafety cabinets, etc.)

Course work in Hazardous Materials Management

Two years of directly applicable work experience

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and California State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University's equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, see

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Santa Clara University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender, and prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. The Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is Belinda Guthrie, Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX, , , Inquiries can also be made to the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please go to the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at . The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Santa Clara University affirms its' commitment to employ qualified individuals with disabilities within the workplace and to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. All applicants desiring an accommodation should contact the Department of Human Resources, and and request to speak to Indu Ahluwalia by phone at or by email at .

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please go to the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at . The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.