Laboratory Technician

This position supports instructional laboratory operations for the Biological and Physical Sciences at

the GRCC Lakeshore Campus. The position serves as the primary laboratory technician at

the Lakeshore Campus and is responsible for coordinating day-to-day laboratory operations,

preparing laboratory materials and reagents, maintaining inventories, purchasing supplies and

equipment, supporting laboratory safety and compliance, and providing technical support to faculty

and students. The position also provides operational support for community outreach events and

may assist with laboratory operations at the GRCC Grand Rapids campus as needed.

Requisition ID: 1141

Position Number: 00002155

Employee Group: Professional, Management, & Administration (PMA)

Schedule: 40 hours/52 week

Compensation: $19.83 hourly

Benefits: Full Time

Reports to: Biology Instructional Lab Coordinator

Posting Opens: 6/24/2026

Posting Closes: 7/8/2026

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Laboratory Activity Preparation

• Coordinate and support daily laboratory operations, setup, and instructional support activities for Biological and Physical Sciences laboratory courses at the Lakeshore Campus.
• Independently prioritize and complete laboratory setup tasks within established timelines.
• Prepare laboratory classrooms, materials, equipment, reagents, and instructional supplies for scheduled laboratory activities following established protocols and preparation notes.
• Prepare chemical solutions and laboratory reagents according to established procedures and instructional requirements.
• Coordinate laboratory logistics and material needs with faculty and instructional staff

Laboratory Classroom Dismantling

• Dismantle laboratory activities and return laboratory materials, equipment, glassware, and supplies to appropriate storage locations.
• Prepare laboratory materials for reuse by cleaning, refilling, inspecting, and restocking laboratory supplies and equipment.

Stockroom Maintenance

• Independently purchase chemicals, supplies, equipment, dissection specimens, and instructional materials in accordance with institutional purchasing policies and procedures.
• Utilize departmental purchasing cards and maintain purchasing documentation.
• Perform purchasing reconciliation and maintain accurate expenditure records.
• Maintain budget tracking and reporting of laboratory expenditures.
• Create, maintain, and monitor inventories of chemicals, supplies, equipment, and instructional materials.
• Maintain Safety Data Sheet (SDS) collections and laboratory equipment manuals.
• Maintain laboratory preparation notes, chemical and biological inventories, and stockroom records.
• Organize stockroom and storage areas to ensure proper storage, labeling, and accessibility of materials.

Prep Room Maintenance

• Prepare chemical solutions and laboratory reagents according to established procedures, preparation notes, and instructional requirements.
• Perform laboratory calculations necessary for reagent and solution preparation.
• Formulate, prepare, package, and label chemical reagents, solutions, solids, stains, and unknown samples for instructional laboratory activities.
• Maintain preparation areas, reagent inventories, and storage locations.
• Ensure reagents and laboratory materials are prepared accurately and available according to instructional schedules.
• Update laboratory preparation notes and standard operating procedures (SOPs) as needed.

Laboratory Classroom Maintenance

• Maintain laboratory classrooms in a clean, organized, and instruction-ready condition.
• Stock student stations, laboratory drawers, cabinets, kits, and instructional materials each semester.
• Assemble and calibrate scientific equipment and instruments, and provide routine maintenance and troubleshooting as needed.

Laboratory Safety

• Follow safety procedures related to biology and chemistry instructional laboratory classrooms, stockrooms, and preparation areas.
• Maintain security, practice safe handling, proper storage, and labeling of chemicals, reagents, and biological specimens.
• Utilize the Flinn catalog's Laboratory Waste Disposal methods guide to characterize, lab pack, treat, and/or properly dispose all laboratory waste generated by the biology and chemistry laboratory experiments and demonstrations.
• Maintain proper housekeeping in the biology and chemistry instructional laboratory classrooms, stockrooms, and preparation areas as required. Clean laboratory glassware, tables, equipment, etc.

Other

• Provide instructional/technical support, training and assistance to faculty, students, and staff as needed.
• Regular attendance during normal scheduled hours is required.
• Engage in professional development activities (i.e., laboratory safety training, bloodborne pathogen training, annual GRCC compliance training, etc.).
• May require occasional evening and/or weekend duties.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Educational Credentials

• Associate's degree with an emphasis in biology, chemistry, or a closely related field required, or equivalent related work experience.

Work Experience

• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices, devices, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Knowledge of common chemical reactions.
• Must possess basic laboratory skills consistent with biology and chemistry laboratory courses, including the ability to calculate and prepare chemical solutions and reagents to exact standards without supervision.

Skills

• Attention to Detail
• Troubleshooting and Problem Solving
• Laboratory Equipment and Reagents Handling
• Procurement and Purchasing Processes
• Safety and Regulatory Compliance
• Budget Tracking and Financial Recordkeeping
• Organizational and Inventory Management
• Technical Support and Training

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift and move up to 45 pounds
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time

Mental Demands

• Must demonstrate attention to detail, organizational skills, financial accountability, strategic thinking, sound decision-making, and problem-solving ability.
• Ability to work under pressure and in an environment with frequent interruptions.
• Must use good judgment in handling sensitive, confidential, or difficult situations in a pleasant and professional manner.
• Ability to perform routine and unexpected duties with minimal supervision.
• Ability to take direction, use discretion, and maintain a high degree of professionalism and responsiveness in daily interactions with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Willingness to work as a part of a team and lead projects.

Working Conditions

• GRCC will comply with any mandated health and safety requirements. Compliance information is available on our policies website.
• Laboratory environment in an academic setting.
• Work with chemicals and potentially hazardous conditions on a routine basis.
• Regular travel between GRCC campuses is required to prepare and take down laboratories and to transport laboratory supplies, equipment, and instructional materials.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.
• Ability to work flexible hours based on departmental and laboratory needs, including occasional evening and weekend hours as required.