Science Lab Specialist

Position Summary

Anticipated Hiring Hourly Range: $19.00-$22.50 per hour

Essential Functions

• Be in agreement with the university's Confession of Faith, found here, have a personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, be active in the life of the church, and live a life consistent with a commitment to the Lordship of Christ.
• Embrace the mission, vision, and values of Fresno Pacific University.
• Be Christ-centered in all areas while working with staff, faculty, students, and or any person or organization in the course of representing the University.
• All FPU employees are called to exercise the gifts and calling of God through their daily life and role here at FPU. As ministers to students and other employees in daily life, FPU employees seek to embody the ideals laid out in the FPU Idea.
• A steadfast commitment to the "The Fresno Pacific University Idea" and agreement to support its ideals and practices while employed by the University.

• Complete tasks timely with work that is comprehensive, complete, and accurate
• Communicates clearly, listens attentively, and seeks to understand others
• Collaborates productively with colleagues of varying skillset
• Perform general laboratory duties; maintain and troubleshoot various laboratory instruments, train and supervise laboratory personnel/assistants, as well as assist in the duties required for teaching and academic research
• Supports instructors in effective laboratory preparation, ensuring that needed reagents, equipment, specimens, cultures, and other supplies are prepared and available at the start of the course laboratory sessions
• Provide support for student lab experiments and undergraduate research studies
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise student laboratory assistants in the preparation of weekly experiments for the Chemistry, Physics, Kinesiology, Nursing and Biology lab courses
• Coordinate and assist with the coordination of field trips for the various courses
• Supervise a Senior Lab Assistant whose primary job responsibility is to maintain an accurate chemical inventory with an SDS online repository, dispense chemicals to student lab assistants and faculty members, and facilitate hazardous waste management
• Responsible for streamlining various science experiments and experimental protocols for faculty members
• Manage the school’s lab purchasing system, i.e. coordinate equipment inventory using computerized purchasing/inventory systems, overseeing the ordering, organization, and inventorying of supplies and reagents
• Design and implement equipment maintenance schedules
• Establish and maintain relationships with chemical and equipment supply vendors
• Coordinate with Facilities Department for repair and routine maintenance of the laboratories
• Supervise the organization of supply rooms for Biology, Chemistry, Nursing, and Physics
• Work collaboratively in a team-oriented approach maintaining excellent rapport with other faculty, staff, and students; such as attending staff meetings and any other related staff functions
• Be familiar with hazardous waste protocols, GHS Hazcom Standards, and chemical hygiene
• Facilitate collection of hazardous waste in various laboratory courses, and assimilate the University’s Chemical Hygiene Plan within the departments’ protocols and operating procedures in collaboration with the CHO, EMT, or Campus Safety Officials
• Serve as a member of the University’s Safety Committee, as appropriate
• In the situation that circumstances are not conducive to face-to-face laboratory sessions, the lab manager will support the instructor in coordinating shipment of lab supplies to students, maintaining inventory of consumables and non-consumables, and coordinating the return of non-consumables as needed
• Assumes responsibilities of the Laboratory Manager, as described in the university’s Chemical Hygiene Plan, overseeing laboratory inspections and assuming other safety-related responsibilities (https://www.fresno.edu/sites/default/files/Chemical Hygiene Plan.pdf (Download PDF reader))
• Other job duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in biology, chemistry, environmental science, or a closely-related field
• Certificates or proof of training, or if not in hand, willingness to participate in training in Lab Safety, Biosafety, Hazardous Waste, HazCom, Chemical Reactivities, and/or other pertinent training certifications as needed by the School of Natural Sciences within 6-24 months of hire
• Familiarity with a broad variety of biology courses and chemistry courses
• Evidence of potential to manage and coordinate projects, including
  • A capacity to establish effective working relationships with faculty, staff, and students as well as outside participants
  • The ability to work independently and to multi-task
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
• An understanding of the methods used in science education and environmental education
• Must be flexible, comfortable with both organizational and procedural changes
• Demonstrated experience and/or commitment to working with underserved audiences

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, environmental science, or a closely-related field
• Familiarity with Fresno Pacific University’s science laboratories
• Familiarity with courses in the physical sciences
• Prior related work experience

• Indoors in a normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, fumes, vibrations, and temperature changes at least eighty percent (80%) of the time.
• Frequent computer use at a workstation, up to eight hours per day.
• Frequently work at a fast pace with unscheduled interruptions.
• Drive personal or University vehicles to appointments.
• Public contact position requiring professional apparel, personal hygiene, and grooming.

University Information

Reserving its rights as a religious institution, Fresno Pacific University is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age or disability, or other classes protected by applicable law. Committed to excellence and actively supportive of cultural diversity, FPU invites individuals who contribute to such diversity to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you should contact FPU’s Human Resources Department at hr@fresno.edu. As a religious institution, the University will administer the equal opportunity employment policy consistent with the Fresno Pacific University statement of faith, the FPU Idea and the University’s governance by the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.

• This information, including salary, is accurate as of May 9, 2024.

Fresno Pacific University offers a wide range of affordable benefits that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage. As well as, a 403(b) retirement plan, life insurance, and a number of unique unviersity benefits. Please visit www.fresno.edu/visitors/human-resources and you may review our current Holiday Calendar.

For any benefits questions, please email us at hr@fresno.edu.