Laboratory Technician

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.

• 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.