| Department Description: |
As the liberal arts heart of the University of San Diego, the College of Arts and Sciences is filled with students who are versatile and multi-talented. No matter their major, graduates from the college are equipped with transferable skills that benefit them wherever their professional and personal ambitions lead.
Founded in 1949, the college has a rich history of providing the core curriculum for every undergraduate USD student, a tradition that continues today. By offering 32 majors, 38 minors, one certificate and three graduate programs, the college is where undergraduate students begin and graduate students refine their paths towards academic excellence and personal achievement.
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| University Description: |
The University of San Diego, a contemporary and engaged Contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges.
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| Detailed Description: |
The laboratory technician serves as part of the staff team in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry dedicated to supporting the teaching and research activities in the department. The general purpose of this position is to provide support for the experimental activities undertaken by the department in its teaching and research laboratories in the Donald P. Shiley Center for Science and Technology. Support includes 1) the primary task of preparation of laboratory courses including Chemistry 151L, 152L, 422, 424 (henceforward called the “specified courses”), and support other courses as departmental needs require. The laboratory technician is responsible for 1) the preparation of chemistry laboratory experiments, management of the assigned labs and preparatory spaces, supervision and training of student workers in the employees area of responsibility; 2) managing the chemical inventory in the assigned workspace; 3) determining chemicals, equipment and supplies required for the specified courses; 4) coordinating, collecting and disposing of course and select research laboratory hazardous waste. This person will also be responsible for scheduling and support of all visiting groups in these spaces.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Preparation and upkeep of laboratories
- Prepare and set out chemicals, glassware, and equipment for laboratory experiments in Chemistry 151L, 152L, 422, 424. When needed support may include other classes as determined by the Chair and departmental needs. Details of duties include (but are not limited to): In conjunction with the Director of General Chemistry, teaching faculty and other support staff, decide what supplies and chemicals are needed for each experiment in the specified courses and how those items can be most economically purchased and efficiently distributed to the students (minimizing cost and waste). Prepare solutions, dilutions, and standardized solutions in quantities ranging from 25 mL to 20 L. Prepare “unknown” samples for experiments. Assemble and set out common-use glassware equipment and instrumentation such as burets, vacuum filtration apparatus, rotovaps, and UV-Vis spectrophotometers as well as coordinate with Instrument Specialist. Write or update “prep sheets” that summarize the materials needed for each experiment. Restock lockers and common use areas. Prepare forms and quizzes for student lab safety orientations. Train General Chemistry teaching assistants in Haz-Comm and Safety, maintaining all records of training. Work with Director of General Chemistry to determine how future experiment preparations can be improved and work to incorporate improvements. Participate in weekly lab meetings with Director of General Chemistry and faculty; meet as needed with appropriate teaching faculty in supported course(s). Train and supervise assigned work-study students to help prepare and set up experiments. This person will also be responsible for scheduling and support of all visiting groups in these spaces.
- Organize and maintain General Chemistry and upper division chemistry laboratory spaces. Details of duties include (but are not limited to): Prepare and maintain current inventory of all chemicals and supplies used in the laboratories associated with the specified courses and preparatory spaces. Replenish chemicals and supplies in the laboratories associated with the specified courses as needed. Manage all hazardous waste generated in the specified teaching laboratories and work with other technical staff to arrange for disposal of unwanted chemicals. Maintain the MSDS library for all chemicals used in rooms relevant to these classes. Maintain an orderly, safe work place.
Purchasing
- Assemble ordering information for necessary chemicals and supplies associated with the specified courses for procurement by the Chemistry Budget and Purchasing Coordinator. Details of duties include (but are not limited to): Research ordering information (vendor, catalog number, and other pertinent information) and identify most cost effective purchase strategy and alternative vendors. Accurately and effectively transmit ordering information for procurement by the Chemistry Budget and Purchasing Coordinator.
Assist Faculty
- Under the direction of teaching faculty and the Director of General Chemistry, establish and optimize new experiments for the specified courses. Prepare lecture demonstrations and materials for faculty upon request and manage demonstration preparation room (SCST131). As time permits, and under the direction of the Chair of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, provide general knowledge and support to faculty research labs and students.
Other
- Manage visiting groups (summer, intersession, and high school groups) using chemistry laboratories: Arrange prep agreements with visiting users; Provide materials for visiting users as delineated in contracts; Provide safety training for visiting users and ensure that safety regulations are observed. Share responsibility for small and large laboratory equipment maintenance. In coordination with other staff members, this includes responding to reports of problems, contacting service personnel/vendor and scheduling/oversight of repairs. Interface with Instrument Specialist to provide budget for service calls and repairs. Participate in all departmental staff/team meetings and as needed departmental faculty meetings.
Special Conditions of Employment:
Effective June 1, 2023, based on CDC guidance, the University strongly encourages all campus members to stay up to date with Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination recommendations. For more regarding information USD's COVID-19 protocols, please visit sandiego.edu/onward.
Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.
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| Job Requirements: |
Minimum Qualifications:
- A bachelor's degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry and one year of full-time laboratory experience (or equivalent) in Chemistry, or a closely related research discipline. Experience may include work in an independent research lab that was performed during undergraduate studies, or work in a laboratory after graduation. Laboratory classes do not count toward experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- A post-graduate thesis-based degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in Chemistry or Biochemistry.
- Laboratory preparation experience.
Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Considerable knowledge of how to prepare solutions and dilutions, how to standardize a solution, how to perform titration and spectroscopy experiments.
- Knowledge, skill, and ability using software common to office and lab environment as well as software specific to specific teaching laboratories.
- Working knowledge of safety and hazardous waste regulations as they apply to the specified laboratory courses and the department in general.
- Thorough knowledge of laboratory techniques, operation and basic maintenance procedures for all equipment commonly used in the specified chemistry laboratory courses.
- Demonstrates excellent problem-solving skills and the ability/initiative to trouble-shoot experiments, experimental procedures and problems with reagents.
- Demonstrates ability and experience in setting and organizing daily goals, and establishing and reorganizing job priorities to prioritize workload effectively, meet deadlines and respond to changing demands.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with minimal supervision.
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Ability to assume responsibility, deal effectively with problems, and exercise independent judgment when making decisions.
- Ability to express oneself clearly and effectively in written and oral form and request clarification when needed.
- Ability to train and supervise student workers.
- Ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues, staff, and students.
- Ability to focus and the confidence to work under pressure in a frequently fast paced and noisy environment.
- Ability and willingness to assist with maintenance of common chemistry equipment.
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| Posting Salary: |
$25-27 per hour; Excellent Benefits
The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer. USD: Human Resources: Benefits
The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.
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