General Information & Responsibilities
The Department of Natural Sciences and Engineering at Black Hawk College seeks a qualified individual with strong organizational and interpersonal skills to oversee the preparation of our biology and chemistry labs (primarily) as the Science Lab Coordinator. The ideal candidate has the qualifications described below and is comfortable in an undergraduate level science lab working with faculty to maximize the educational experience of students. This candidate will be able to prepare both chemistry and biology labs, including growing microbial cultures. The candidate will take initiative to restock and replace used materials and equipment and take on a diverse set of tasks from cleaning fume hoods and microscopes, to growing plants, and helping faculty troubleshoot labs that do not work.
Description of Duties
The Science Lab Coordinator is responsible for the coordination of the Natural Science and Engineering Departmental laboratories; primary responsibility for Biology and Chemistry labs; periodic assistance in Physics labs; responsible for laboratory preparation, laboratory/equipment maintenance, supervision of student workers/work study students; responsible for chemical/hazardous waste management.
DESCRIPTION OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
a. Accurately prepares and removes departmental lab setups based on instructional needs.
b. Cleans and maintains departmental laboratories, stock rooms, prep rooms, grow room and classrooms.
c. Maintains an inventory of departmental media, equipment, materials and supplies (such as chemicals, microbiological agents, glassware, etc.).
d. Accurately labels all chemicals, materials, and supplies.
e. Keeps updated and current, removes outdated, and disposes of unused departmental media, equipment, stocks and supplies.
f. Maintains current and updated SDS records and reports for departmental stocks and supplies.
g. Inventories hazardous chemicals on an annual basis.
h. Schedules hazardous (chemical and biological) waste disposal and insures proper handling.
i. Orders supplies and works with vendors to ensure that living specimens arrive at times appropriate for their classroom use.
j. Maintains appropriate hazardous waste records and reports.
k. Stays up to date on new policies and procedures in academic laboratory settings.
l. Creates and maintains SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures) for departmental laboratories, including safety issues.
DESCRIPTION OF OTHER DUTIES:
a. Supervises and coordinates all department student workers.
b. Provides general assistance to departmental faculty and students.
c. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
OVERALL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
a. Demonstrate Black Hawk College core values.
b. Accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness of work.
c. Proper waste management.
d. Proper use of laboratory equipment.
e. Timely set up of laboratories.
f. Maintaining up-to-date job knowledge.
PRINCIPAL WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
a. Works directly and cooperatively with Natural Science and Engineering faculty, Department Chair, and Dean of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
b. Works directly and cooperatively with student workers / work study students.
c. Works directly and cooperatively with governing bodies (Risk Management) concerning safety, environmental, and chemical/hazardous waste.
d. Works cooperatively with Black Hawk College faculty, staff, students, and visitors.
e. Works directly with vendors as needed.
Education & Experience
(To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.)
a. Bachelor’s degree in Biology or Chemistry required.
b. Minor in science area other than major discipline area desired.
c. Basic knowledge of laboratory operations, procedures, and safety required.
d. Basic knowledge of computer hardware and software desired.
e. Prior experience in laboratory coordination and management desired.
f. Prior experience in preparing media and cultures for a microbiology laboratory or experience in microbiology as a whole preferred.
g. Good written and oral communication skills required.
h. Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks required.
i. Ability to work with confidential information desired.
j. Ability to work well with all types of people and honor diversity principles required.
The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principle functions of the described job; it is not an all-encompassing statement of all the work requirements that may be necessary to perform the job.
Supplemental Information
Black Hawk College does not sponsor employment visas.
Black Hawk College is an AA/EEO employer.
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