Job details

Department Operations and Procedures - 80% 

• Oversees operation of all biology laboratories, preparation and storage rooms, and ensures proper functioning and maintenance at Grayslake campus. 

• Prepares, sets up, and breaks down all supplies and equipment required for scheduled laboratory activities, and monitors inventory levels to ensure timely replenishment of materials as needed.

• Prepares all solutions and media required for all biology lab courses.

• Maintains current knowledge of the operation of equipment and of laboratory techniques used in the biology labs. 

• Performs minor, periodic maintenance of microscopes and other equipment; arranges for service calls when necessary. 

• Assists the instructors in dispensing special equipment and replacing equipment for students during lab periods. 

• Assists instructors in operating equipment and locating supplies. 

• Maintains computerized inventory of supplies and equipment, orders laboratory supplies as needed, maintains contact with suppliers, and receives all items purchased by the area. Travels to local suppliers to pick up materials as needed. 

• Maintains and monitors security and safety of stockroom and laboratories, including storage and use of hazardous chemicals and potentially pathogenic bacteria and fungi. 

• Maintains semester schedule of laboratory experiments for all classes. 

• Assists instructors in development of new laboratory experiments and equipment. 

Personnel Management - 10% 

• Coordinates, trains, and supervises student workers. 

• Cares for plants and animals and supervises student workers assisting with their care. 

Other - 10%  

• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Laboratory Operations Manager. 

Required Qualifications  

• Associate degree or higher with emphasis in Biology. 

• Background in microbiology techniques. 

• Good organization skills, interpersonal skills and knowledge of scientific experiments and equipment required. 

• Knowledge of safe laboratory practice and handling hazardous materials required. 

• Ability to work with the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff, including those with disabilities; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

Desired Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in Biology or related field. 

• Work experience in a lab, preferably academic lab. 

• Experience in inventory control. 

• Bilingual in Spanish and English.