Student Worker - Biology Department Summer - Fall 2025

1. Lab Prep Assistants (Bio 100, 101 & 362): $9.00

2. Aquatics Room Assistants: $9.00

3. Animal Rooms Assistants: $9.00

4. Green House Assistants: $9.00

5. Tutoring:$10.00

6. Biology Mentor Program (BMP): $10.00

7. Van Driver: $9.00

8. Caputo Storeroom Clerks: $9.00

9. Ecology/Evolution Lab Technician: $9.00

10. STIPEND Position: Varies

• Must be a current Biology Major in good academic standing during time of employment.

Biology department Student Worker Job Requirements:

A or B in Bio 100, Bio 101 or equivalent course

C or higher in Chem 111

A or B in Bio 100, Bio 101 or equivalent course

Biology department Student Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

Current biology major in good academic standing during time of employment
There will be work that involves the safe handling of specialized equipment and chemicals.

Work is normally performed in a typical laboratory environment.

Organism Care (Greenhouses, Aquatics Rooms, & Animal Room):
Work is normally performed in a typical organism care facility environment with controlled light, humidity, and temperatures optimized for the housed organisms.

Must be able to lift/pull/push up to 20 pounds.
There will be work that involves training certification and the safe handling of organisms.

STIPEND Position:
Student must be referred by a biology faculty or staff member.

Tutors & Biology Mentors & STIPEND Position: Clearances (PA Criminal Background, Child Abuse, FBI Fingerprints) are required for this position.

Task may included but are not limited to:
1. Lab Prep Assistants (Bio 100, 101 & 362):
Prepare solutions and reagents required for lab exercises.
Clean equipment and check for operating condition before putting them out for labs.
Return all reagents, solutions, materials, and equipment to their appropriate storage areas after each lab exercise
Wipe down lab benches and restock paper towels

Wash glassware and plasticware

Maintain record of hours worked in each pay period

Practice proper lab techniques with regard to safety

2. Aquatics Room Assistants:
Daily feedings (if assigned)
Daily use and upkeep of log books (if assigned)
Periodic maintenance of tanks, equipment, and room
Periodic chemical testing of tanks
Weekly scrubbing of tanks, equipment, and rinsing of filter cartridges (periodic replacement of filter cartridges)
Periodic tank set up and tear down
Maintain and refill salt water carboy in Room 107 (salinity at 32ppt)
Identification and isolation of sick or injured fish
Dishwashing, Sweeping and general housekeeping
Monitoring regulated room’s photoperiod by use of a light timer
Maintaining record of hours worked per pay period
Notify supervisor of any issues
Practice proper lab techniques with regard to safety

3. Animal Rooms Assistant:
Daily recording regulated room’s temperature & humidity by use of a thermostat
Regular inspection of animals for the purpose of monitoring animal health
Daily feeding and watering of animals
Monitoring regulated room’s photoperiod by use of a light timer
Quarantining sick animals, caring for them, as appropriate
Periodic cleaning of mammal cages (if assigned)
Sweeping, mopping, general organizing, and housekeeping
Periodic cleaning of room’s air vents (with broom)
Assisting in breeding animals when required by courses
Controlling animal population by segregating adult animals on the basis of gender
Quarantining new animals to ensure they are in good health before introducing them to the general animal population
Maintaining record of hours worked per pay period
Report issues to supervisor
Practice proper lab techniques with regard to safety

4. Green House Assistants:
Daily monitoring and potential watering of plants based on need (if assigned
Daily maintenance of greenhouse temperature by use of temperature log, thermostat, and manual vents (if assigned)
Periodic pruning & weeding
Periodic fertilizing (if assigned)
Periodic repotting – in response to increased size of plant and/or depletion of nutrients in soil (if assigned)
Periodic propagation of plants (if assigned)
Seasonal addition & removal of whitewash (if assigned)
Segregation and removal of wastes for recycling purposes
Dishwashing, sweeping and general housekeeping
Maintaining record of hours worked per pay period
Notify supervisor of any issues
Practice proper lab techniques with regard to safety

5. Tutoring

• Must complete 3 required clearances (PA Criminal Background, Child Abuse, & FBI Fingerprints)

6. Biology Mentor Program (BMP)

• Must complete 3 required clearances (PA Criminal Background, Child Abuse, & FBI Fingerprints)

7. Van Driver:

• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Must complete drivers license background check through Hire Right and be approved to drive
• Must be a biology student enrolled in the course that is requesting a driver.

8. Caputo Storeroom Clerks:
Check that faculty have correctly & completely filled out store room order forms
Fulfill order form requests
Submit completed order form & requisition requests to appropriate department secretary
Keep a current inventory record.
Warn department secretary of issues & low stock items
Receive deliveries, document arrival date on requisition receipt, notify requestor or dept.
secretary
Re-stock & label inventory
Keep area clean & organized
Maintain record of hours worked in each pay period
Practice proper lab techniques with regard to safety

9. Ecology/Evolution Lab Technician
The student will prepare materials and supplies needed for both Tuesday and Thursday labs prior to each week’s lab. Lab preps may require counting, equipment procurement, photocopying and outdoor lab preps. The student will work no more than 7 hours per week.

10. STIPEND Position
Working on various projects within the guidelines of the grant under their faculty advisor’s direction.