Laboratory Assistant, Senior

Title Code:  5151

Occ. Group:  

Laboratory Assistant, Senior

Expectations for All Employees

East Tennessee State University pursues its mission based upon core values. An employee's job performance must support and exhibit the university's core values:

PEOPLE come first, are treated with dignity and respect, and are encouraged to achieve their full potential;
RELATIONSHIPS are built on honesty, integrity and trust;
DIVERSITY of people and thought is respected;
EXCELLENCE is achieved through teamwork, leadership, creativity, and a strong work ethic;
EFFICIENCY is achieved through wise use of human and financial resources; and COMMITMENT to intellectual achievement is embraced.

Definition 

Employees in this class are under general supervision. Work performed in purchasing, preparing and setting up supplies, materials and equipment for laboratory class and research work; overseeing safety of students; maintaining departmental budget, and performing other related work as required.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

Prepares chemicals and solutions for all teaching laboratory activities.

Oversees safety of students.

Maintains and supplies student lockers used within the labs.

Conducts student check-in/out of labs.

Conducts light repairs for Chemistry Department, as needed.

Maintains inventory of chemicals, supplies and equipment in the department.

Transports chemicals.

Purchases miscellaneous items for lab.

Recruits, hires and trains student workers.

Maintains time card for each student worker.

Maintains work schedule for each student worker to insure proper stockroom staffing.

Supervises the stockroom operations.

Purchases chemicals and supplies for the Chemistry Department.

Researches best price and availability of supplies.

Contacts vendors via telephone, fax or e-mail to negotiate price of supplies.

Orders compressed gases including liquid nitrogen and liquid helium.

Maintains a physical inventory of cylinders and reconciles differences.

Assists in replacing and hooking up cylinders.

Recharges NMR with liquid nitrogen or liquid helium.

Maintains petty cash reconciliation as needed or on a quarterly basis.

Oversees the departmental budget.

Does maintenance coordination for department.

Prepares Physical Plant repair requests and conducts follow up.

Coordinates and receives bids on various items in the department.

Completes work orders to cover bids.

Performs other work as assigned.

Required Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of the use and preparation of culture media, chemicals, reagents, etc.

Knowledge of laboratory procedures, set up and safety precautions.

Knowledge of various laboratory tools, equipment and materials.

Knowledge of computers.

Knowledge of basic accounting principles.

Ability to prepare media, solutions, etc. as directed.

Ability to follow detailed oral and written instructions carefully and completely.

Ability to use and operate required laboratory tools and equipment.

Ability to communicate effectively.

Ability to work independently.

Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the public and other employees.

Recommended Qualifications

Applicants possessing these qualifications have a good probability for success in this class. However, applicants not possessing these qualifications should apply if they believe their training and experience will enable them to perform the work successfully. Graduation from a standard high school, college preferred. Experience in laboratory work involving media preparation and the use of a variety of laboratory tools and equipment.

  Date       Skill         Eval            
12/09/05     5         512022232

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position.