Laboratory Technician II - Fitchburg State University

Job Description:

General Statement of Duties and Responsibilities:

Responsible for chemistry and the chemistry-related EGPHS laboratory set-up for courses, working directly with faculty in both departments to ensure solutions, chemicals supplies are available and compliant. Inventories and maintains chemicals used in prep areas, storage rooms, and laboratories for the Chemistry Program chemistry-related needs of Public Health Sciences (EGPHS). Assists the Environmental Health and Safety Officer (EHSO) with campus-wide health and safety compliance. Responsible for the inspection of laboratory and safety equipment. Assists departments listed above with chemical and equipment orders for chemistry course-related activities during the year. Assists in the disposal of chemical waste in the chemistry and EGPHS laboratories and prep areas.

Detailed Statement of Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supports the Chemistry section of the Biology and Chemistry Dept., supports the chemistry needs of the EGPHS department; Provides emergency back-up for Biology if needed.
• Prepares and appropriately labels (ex. hazardous) solutions, materials, chemicals, and supplies for Chemistry and EGPHS laboratories where chemicals are used;
• Setup laboratories according to faculty instructions. Instructions should be received with sufficient time in order to complete the tasks requested;
• Evaluates, solicits quotes, and orders consumable supplies for chemistry-related laboratories including but not limited to chemicals, solutions, glassware, hardware, safety equipment, and disposal containers;
• Monitors chemical orders for chemistry and EGPHS in reference to pending/complete orders with vendors and to ensure an adequate supply of materials;
• Maintains the cleanliness and safety of prep and storage areas according to established standards;
• Keeps updated inventories of chemicals, equipment, and supplies;
• Inspects laboratory and safety equipment;
• Maintains the cleanliness and safety of student laboratories according to established standards and procedures;
• Obtains Safety Data Sheets (SDS) from the EHSO upon request;
• Picks up supplies and specimens at local stores when needed;
• Provides technical assistance, support and training to faculty, instructors and staff in the use of chemical equipment, as needed.

Performs other related laboratory duties as assigned by the Department Chair(s).

Inventory

• Maintains a physical chemical inventory of laboratories and prep rooms.
• Maintains the chemical inventory within the Chemistry program and EGPHS dept. which includes entry of chemicals as they arrive on campus, tracking of chemicals and removal after disposal. The Chemical Inventory Database is to be reviewed on a regular basis by the technician as well as the Environmental Health and Safety Office on campus. Changes in the chemical inventory are reported to the EHSO for the purposes of database updates.
• Monitors gas cylinders, orders and receives delivery of replacement cylinders for Biology, Chemistry and EGPHS.

Equipment

• Repairs and maintains laboratory equipment or arranges repairs by outside vendors;
• Prepares quotes for new equipment and service on equipment;
• Supervises equipment repairs;
• Provides technical support to faculty;

Interfaces with equipment manufacturers regarding troubleshooting system problems;

Monitors Health and Safety Equipment in all Chemistry Laboratories

• Follows procedures and guidelines of the Chemical Hygiene Plan and any department or Fitchburg State University standard operating procedures;
• Reports any suspected unsafe working conditions, faulty emergency safety equipment or faulty fume hoods to the EHSO;
• Reports incidents to the EHSO;
• Verifies eye washes are available and operable on a monthly basis;
• Verifies first aid boxes in Biology & Chemistry labs are stocked prior to each semester.
• Maintains inventory of First Aid supplies for Chemistry, Biology and EGPHS.

Chemical and Biological Waste Disposal

• Collects and disposes of chemical waste according to established standards and procedures;
• Provides "sharp container" for use in student laboratories for proper disposal of needles, razors, and other sharp instruments. Notifies the EHSO when containers are full and can be removed;
• Provides hazardous waste containers for each laboratory experiment waste stream.
• Maintains inventory of Hazardous Waste containers for use by Chemistry, Biology and EGPHS. Arrange for removal with EHSO upon notification from the instructor when the experiment is complete or the container is full;
• Collect all expired or "no longer in use" chemicals for proper disposal and arrange for the disposal and/or removal of said chemicals with the ESO or delegate;
• Safely transport hazardous waste containers from Satellite Accumulation Areas (SAA) from assigned labs to Main Accumulation Areas on a weekly basis;
• Inspect SAAs and document assigned areas on a weekly basis.

Special Duties

• Supervises and instructs work study students in Biology & Chemistry on laboratory safety and supplies them with the necessary personal protective equipment;
• Participate as a member of departmental and University committees as necessary;
• Assists EHSO with training, hazard investigations, campus wide regulatory compliance and4. inspections in Academic Areas;
• Curate display cases in the Science Center to showcase Fitchburg State Bio/Chem Programs.

These duties are in line with the Laboratory Technician Series Classification Specification.

Requirements:

Qualifications Required at Hire (List of knowledge, skills, and abilities):

• At least two years of full-time or equivalent part-time technical or professional experience in laboratory work in a recognized chemistry, water quality, biotechnology or materials testing laboratory, or any equivalent combination of the required experience or substitutions listed.
• Knowledge of proper disposal of universal and chemical waste;
• Knowledge of techniques used to prepare reagents and solutions;
• Knowledge of calibration and routine maintenance of laboratory equipment;
• Ability to maintain accurate records;
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions;
• Ability to use computers for word processing, data entry/retrieval;
• Ability to communicate and interact with faculty, staff and students;
• Must be able to satisfactorily pass the Criminal Offender Record Information/Sexual Offender Registry Information (CORI/SORI) check and a background screening.

Qualifications Acquired on Job (List of knowledge, skills, and abilities):

• Knowledge of the function and operation of college laboratories;
• Knowledge of calibration and routine maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations regarding hazardous waste management and environmental compliance;
• Ability to understand, apply and explain policies, procedures and guidelines governing activities within the assigned department;
• Knowledge of the University Chemical Hygiene Plan and Safe Operating Procedures;
• Skill in operating state of the art specialized equipment and related software;
• Within 30 days of hire, complete 8 hours of RCRA Hazardous Waste Generator Training certification and maintain annual refresher training requirement;
• Additional safety or professional training as recommended by the ESO or Dept. Chairs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry or related field;

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, benefited, non-exempt position. The position is governed by the AFSCME/1067, Council 93 Collective Bargaining Agreement. The agreement outlines the grade and step compensation model with an annual salary of $60,119.28 which is non-negotiable in adherence with the CBA. Hours are 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The application deadline is 6/29/25.

Fitchburg State University offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 9 different pre-taxed, health insurance plan options
• competitive retirement plan
• life insurance up to 8x the annual salary
• long-term disability coverage
• dental insurance
• accrued vacation and sick days
• personal days
• paid holidays
• tuition remission for self, spouse, and dependent children and more...

Fitchburg State University is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Members of traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and the names of three professional references.

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