Careers

Title: Lab Coordinator

Department: Biology

Duration: Indefinite 

Employment Status: Non-Exempt, Full-Time, 40 hours/week (10 Months) & 20 hours/week (2 Months)

Job Summary

Reporting to the Professor and Chair, the Lab Coordinator supports the effective operation of Biology teaching laboratories through coordination, preparation, and maintenance of lab materials and equipment. The Lab Coordinator works closely with faculty to implement lab exercises, managing supplies, and ensuring labs are properly set up. The Lab Coordinator will coordinate field trips, oversee animal and plant care, and supervise student workers.

Job Duties

• 55% - Prepare reagents and supplies for all Biology laboratory sections each semester, supporting approximately 8–10 different courses with 12–15 sections. Work in coordination with faculty and the Biology Lab Manager to determine specific lab needs for 100-, 200-, and 300-level courses. Manage the timely preparation and labeling of solutions, media, and chemicals, including tasks such as autoclaving and pH adjustment. Dispense supplies based on enrollment and course demands. Maintain cleanliness, safety, and organization of lab spaces. Assist in upkeep and routine maintenance of laboratory equipment. Ensure labs are stocked and ready for instruction according to the academic calendar. - (Essential)
• 15% - Assist with receiving and distributing incoming lab materials and packages. Restock consumables and maintain inventory records. Clean biohazard waste bins and coordinate disposal. Perform basic equipment troubleshooting and communicate with vendors as necessary for service or supply orders. - (Essential)
• 15% - Assist with receiving and distributing packages, cleaning biohazard bins, restocking supplies, placing orders, performing basic equipment troubleshooting, and communicating with vendors. - (Essential)
• 10% - Provide care for animals and plants during holidays and academic breaks. Support general husbandry and maintenance in facilities such as vivariums, freshwater and saltwater aquaria, and greenhouses. - (Essential)
• % - Prepare reagents and supplies for summer research projects, supporting faculty and student needs during non-instructional periods. - (Essential)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Applied Sciences with a focus on Animal Welfare or related field to position duties or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• One year of experience working in a laboratory setting and/or in animal care and handling.
• Basic knowledge of general biology principles. Extended knowledge and experience in laboratory and/or field biology techniques.
• Familiarity with laboratory equipment, reagent preparation, and animal husbandry practices.
• Ability to follow safety protocols and maintain a clean and organized lab environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google drives/folders/forms, Adobe Acrobat, Web Editing, and social media applications or any
  combination of productivity programs applicable to position responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and thorough; skilled at anticipating and preventing potential problems and handling a wide variety of tasks with efficiency and accuracy.
• Strong commitment to a quality work product. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally, in writing and electronically.
• Effective interpersonal skills as evidenced in the ability to collaborate with a variety of constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, inclusion & diversity.
• Demonstrated skill in adapting to and performing work effectively in high-volume, high accountability, confidential environment with multiple and changing priorities.
• Effective organizational, logistical, time management and planning skills with the ability to manage and
  prioritize multiple tasks/projects simultaneously, prioritize and fulfill the functions of an office in a
  timely manner.
• Ability to self-motivate and work independently.
• Ability to provide effective leadership and training, and to work effectively and professionally across functions, disciplines, levels, and with diverse groups.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting higher education biology labs or research projects.
• Supervisory experience working with student assistants or volunteers in a lab setting.

EXPECTED HIRING RANGE: $20.20/hr-$23.50/hr

If you are offered this position at Occidental College, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, education, experience, and/or geographic location. In addition to those factors, Occidental complies with applicable pay equity laws and considers internal equity among current employees when developing the final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued salary growth.  We also offer a generous compensation and benefits package.