Job Description:

Posting Number:

Staff_0403222

Classification Title:

Staff

Working Title:

Biology Lab Assistant

Datatel Position ID:

SEMA5BILABAS1B

Annual Hours:

2080

Placement Range:

$15.07 - $16.96

Position Type:

Regular

Job Category:

Non-Exempt

General Description:

The Biology Laboratory Assistant will be responsible for the preparation and setting of Biology course labs and ma assist/supervise activities in the biological science laboratories.


The Biology Laboratory Assistance will also be responsible for the maintenance of laboratory areas and the greenhouse.


The Biology Laboratory Assistant may also prepare and supervise student activities in the Biology Science Center.


They will use and work with chemical reagents as well as plant and animal cultures.


An employee in this position is at risk for occupational exposure to animal blood and other potentially infectious material as well as chemical reagents as a result of the performance of the employee's duties.

Reports To:

Biology Lab Supervisor

What position(s) reports to this position?:

None

Minimum Education/Experience:

An Associate of Science degree which includes twelve hours of biological science (including General Biology I for majors) and the General Chemistry sequence of Chemistry I and II with labs.


OR


Equivalent hours which includes twelve hours of biological science (including General Biology I for majors) and the General Chemistry sequence of Chemistry I and II with labs.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of laboratory equipment, materials and procedures.


Knowledge of safety and health procedures for handling hazardous chemicals and infectious organisms.


Knowledge of mathematics to perform calculations to prepare reagents and assist students in problems in biological sciences.


Ability to work daytime, evening and Saturday hours as assigned with some flexibility of work schedule during operating hours as discussed with supervisor.


Ability to orally communicate using the English language, laboratory procedures and theoretical concepts to an individual student or group of students.


Positive human relations skills.


Effective time management skills and ability to work independently and keep track of schedules for lab set ups.


Visual ability, corrected, to observe and detect signs of hazards and obstacles that may cause injury to students and staff in the Science Center or Group Labs.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions:

1. GENERAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Medium work: This position requires the person to occasionally exert up to 50 pounds of force and frequently exert up to 20 pounds of force and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to grasp, lift, push, pull, carry, or otherwise move objects.


2. PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:
This position requires the person to position self to access equipment in storage areas that may be above head or ground level.


This position requires the person to remain in a stationary position for sustained periods of time.


This position requires the person to move about the laboratory and campus.


This position requires the person to operate a computer and other laboratory equipment.


This position requires the person to frequently communicate with and listen to administration, faculty, staff, students, and others to perform the essential functions of the position. Must be able to exchange accurate information in various situations.


3. VISUAL ACUITY:
This position requires the person to judge, observe and assess the accuracy, neatness, thoroughness of work assigned or to make general observations, including those in color. Visual ability to observe and detect signs of hazards and obstacles that may cause injury to students and staff in the Biological Science Center or Labs.


4. WORKING CONDITIONS:
This position performs the essential functions in an indoor educational laboratory setting with frequent movements across the campus and various lab rooms.


This position requires the person to be subject to hazards including a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, and exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals and animal blood.


This position requires the person to be exposed to infectious diseases including but not limited to BSL-1 and BSL-2 organisms

Preferred Qualifications:

None

Work Hours:

A flexible 40 hour work schedule including daytime, evening and Saturday hours and the ability to work up to four nights a week as assigned. Schedule may change every semester to meet department needs.

Department:

Biology Lab

Job Open Date:

03/29/2024

Open Until Filled:

Yes

HR Contact:

Brandon Thomas

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Applicants are to thoroughly complete the online application and attach the following required documents: cover letter, resume, and transcript conferring an Associate degree in a biological or life science which includes twelve hours of biological science and the General Chemistry sequence of Chemistry I and II with labs. OR the equivalent hours which includes twelve hours of biological science and the General Chemistry sequence of Chemistry I and II with labs.


Applicants who do not attach the required documents will not be considered for the position.


For application assistance or questions, please contact Human Resources at (405) 682-7542, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

Job Duties (Position Specific):

(The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)

Job Duties (Duties Assignment Statement):

Given laboratory procedures and brief instructions by the Biology Lab Supervisor or the course instructor, assist in conducting and explaining any and all experiments in biological science laboratories.


During times scheduled in the Biology Science Center:


Greet and assist students in individual lab exercises.


Answer questions concerning software and other study materials available in the Biology Science Center.


Administer laboratory exams.


Supervise group labs as needed.


Ensure students sign in to the Biology Science Center for attendance records.


Supervise individual and group work in the Biological Sciences Center.


Understand, obey, and enforce all safety and health regulations applicable in a science laboratory. This will include, but not be limited to, State and Federal regulations concerning hazardous chemicals, infectious organisms, and blood borne pathogens.


Assemble, disassemble, and clean the equipment and materials needed for individual and group laboratory experiments, including focusing microscope slides using a compound microscope and discerning different structures in those microscope slides including those that may require color vision.


Prepare laboratory media and standard and special reagents for labs including the necessary calculations to prepare a reagent of specified molarity, normality, or percentage composition.


Understand and use proper safety precautions for the use of chemicals, reagents, and animal or plant specimens such use of a fume hood and personal protective equipment.


Set up biology class labs using procedural manuals in a timely and orderly fashion.


Become familiar with lab document files, lab supplies, and procedures.


Use and maintain plants and animals for laboratory use, including dissection.


Supervise student work personnel in the maintenance of an orderly, clean environment in the laboratory.


Operate, maintain, adjust and explain the use of equipment used in the biological science laboratories.


Assist in record keeping and monitoring the inventory of supplies, specimens, and equipment used in the science laboratories and with input from the faculty, identify s and submit a needed items order list to the supervisor


Effectively interact and communicate with students, faculty and staff while performing duties.


Fulfill student and institutional needs by maintaining a work schedule assigned by the Science Center Supervisor.


Participate in required training.

Job Duties (Safety / Policy & Procedures):

Abide by the policies and procedures published in the Board of Regents Policies and College Policies & Procedures.


Contribute to a safe educational & working environment.


Adhere to established safety and health procedures and practices for the purpose of providing injury and illness prevention for self and others.


Complete quarterly health and safety training pursuant to OCCC's established safety and health procedures and practices.


Participate in all applicable OCCC emergency, evacuation, shelter in place drills, and be prepared to take action and assist others in taking appropriate action should a health or safety emergency occur.

Apply Now