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Academic Lab Specialist

Position Number: B68PD
Starting Wage/Salary: $23.12-$24.05/hr plus exceptional benefits, subject to change based on current classified negotiations
Close Date: 07/06/2025

Primary Purpose:

• Prepare, maintain and set up solutions, equipment and supplies for student laboratory experiments within scheduled timeline.
• Maintain safe and clean lab / work areas in compliance with the COCC Chemical Hygiene Plan, including performing quarterly lab safety checks.
• Determine the proper storage areas for reagents, organisms and chemicals used in the teaching labs. This includes: a) adherence to temperature and humidity requirements for reagents and chemicals that arrive in the labb) adherence to expiration dates for chemicals and reagents used in labsc) consideration of lighting, temperature, water and food requirements for living organisms shipped tothe college and temporarily housed in the labs or instrument rooms.
• Carry out hazardous procedures in a safe manner and in compliance with appropriate regulatory guidelines. This includes the proper storage, handling, and disposal of potentially hazardous materials.
• Work with a small team of lab specialists and supervisor, effectively supporting and covering for each other to provide the best student experience, including support of the Bend, Madras, Prineville, and Redmond labs when needed.
• Create order lists to obtain equipment and supplies. Maintain material and supply inventory control.
• Participate in workgroup training, advisory committees, college sponsored events, and programs, hazardous materials training, lab staff team meetings and department discussions.
• Troubleshoot and improvise if an element in the lab is not working as expected by using alternative methods on hand, consult technical manuals, obtain technical support from suppliers and/or conduct internet information searches.
• Perform other essential duties as assigned and pertains to the overall objective of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to maintain inventory and create order lists for all biology, chemistry and other science labs each term to ensure correct amounts of material and arrival in a timely manner.
• Ability to participate in mandatory hazardous materials training, lab staff team meetings and department discussions.
• Ability to manage time to prepare and clear labs on a tight schedule. Time management skills are critical in ensuring that labs are ready at the proper times.
• Ability to understand and organize information from written and verbal procedures to ensure that lab preparations are done accurately.
• Ability to handle revisions in lab schedule for a particular course on short notice remaining flexible and improvising when necessary.
• Ability to use scientific equipment such as data-collection devices and probes, autoclaves, compound and dissecting microscopes, electronic balances and triple beam, pH meters, incubators, dishwasher, air compressor, and hotplate/stirrers as well as photocopiers, computer/printer, and microwaves.
• Ability to maintain a collection of human skeletal material and other anatomical specimens; able to work with preserved specimens, including cadavers.
• Knowledge of stoichiometry and be able to make various sterile stock solutions.
• Demonstrated attention to detail to achieve thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing a task.
• Able to work independently moving supplies and equipment between lab areas and between campuses.
• Must have reliable transportation to travel between campuses.
• Ability to work well in a team of lab specialists as well as with faculty, staff, students, work-study students, public, suppliers, vendors, and repair businesses.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using the English language with or without the use of an interpreter.
• Ability to work cooperatively with and contribute to a diverse workplace through ideas or experience.

Minimum Requirements:

• Associates degree with science program focus.

• One (1) year of working knowledge of college-level chemistry and biology.
• One (1) year of experience dealing with hazardous materials.
• One (1) year of work experience in a physical science academic or research lab.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Chemistry, Biology, or closely related field with a background in a number of science class sequences in chemistry and biology.
• Experience in General and Organic Chemistry. Experience with the handling and storage of hazardous chemicals.
• Experience with scientific instrumentation such as GC, HPLC and FT-IR.

To apply, visit https://jobs.cocc.edu/postings/11345

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