Laboratory Technician II - Chemical Engineering

Apply now Job no:515702
Work type:Staff Full Time
Location:UMass Amherst
Department: Chemical Engineering
Union: USA/MTA
Categories:College of Natural Sciences

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Laboratory Technician II serves as Safety Officer, Safety Coordinator, and Online Web Learning Training Manager for the Chemical Engineering department. Provides facilities and equipment maintenance, technical services, and support to departmental teaching laboratories; skilled and semi-skilled machine shop services; and mechanical and electrical construction services to the department. This position with consultation from faculty will also support and advise staff and students in teaching labs including purchasing lab materials. Responsible for chemical solution preparation and maintenance of the chemical inventory for the undergraduate laboratories.  Provides moving services as required.

Essential Functions

• Attends monthly Safety Coordinator and annual Shop Safety meetings with Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S).  Provides and schedules training for faculty, students, and staff on proper laboratory safety techniques; chemicals and hazardous material and disposal; fire safety; gas cylinder safety, usage and care; autoclave; sanitation and sterilization equipment and procedures. Maintains lab, fire, and biological training modules. Maintains and updates online training records and ensures compliance. Assists with lab safety inspections and ensures infractions have been corrected on faculty-specific safety reports. Assists with hazardous and biological material inventory and disposal. Maintains security of the labs and associated equipment. 
• Provides technical support to teaching and research labs concerning proper equipment maintenance, repair, and/or unique construction and/or modification of the latter. Disassembles, rebuild/reassembles, and tests laboratory equipment in accordance with specifications. Proficient in instruction and operation, as well as troubleshooting and repair, of undergraduate chemical engineering laboratory equipment. Provides skilled and semi-skilled machine shop services to faculty, staff, and students. Skilled in operation and use of common shop equipment and tools such as metal lathe, Bridgeport milling machine, Mig-welder, plasma-cutter, oxygen-acetylene torches, and pressure and temperature sensing equipment.  Provides services to department regarding basic carpentry, plumbing, and electrical service.
• Supervises, monitors, and provides training and mentoring to graduate teaching assistants (TA’s) in cooperation with the faculty.  Provides laboratory-based source for course rules and procedures, along with technical support, during lab classes.  Monitors class activities for proper TA procedures, including proper instruction of undergraduate students and safe practices.  Develops and supervises TA post-lab shutdown procedures.
• Purchases and maintains an inventory of supplies, chemicals, instruments, equipment, hand-outs, and instructions manuals with guidance from Undergraduate Program Director (UPD) and faculty. Replaces chemicals and reagents, estimating needs sufficiently in advance to accommodate departmental ordering procedures. Follows department budget guidelines in collaboration with the UPD.  Uses university bank card and purchasing systems (BuyWays) using university contracts when possible.  Conforms to Mass Higher Ed Consortium, Campus, University, and MA State contract regulations.  Consults regularly with principal vendor representatives to maintain familiarity with changes and trends in markets.  Conducts comparative cost analyses of all purchases to assure best pricing.  Creates and maintains an ongoing list of required off-budget instrument and equipment purchases for quick response to availability of alternative funds.
• Prepares, assembles, calibrates, operates, demonstrates, and maintains technical equipment and computers for instructional purposes. Maintains laboratory equipment and performs minor repairs when needed. Analyzes and determines when assistance is necessary for major repairs to ensure proper functioning of equipment. This is done with guidance from faculty, other technical staff, and direction by representatives from instrument manufacturers, or using instrument operation manuals. Records preparative notes to supplement the instrument manuals as deemed useful to facilitate future setup and use.
• Receives, processes, and distributes incoming department supplies and/or equipment.  Provides moving services for equipment and office furniture as required.

Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• High school diploma or equivalent with three years related experience (with trade school certificate/diploma preferred) OR Associates degree with one year related experience.
• Ability to communicate clearly with faculty, staff, students, other university personnel, and with outside vendor sales and technical representatives in an education environment.
• Ability to physically move laboratory equipment, tools, and materials when necessary, including the ability to pick up and safely move 50 lbs. of equipment, chemicals, and gases.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to give instruction in a precise, understandable manner.
• Ability to work in a courteous, collaborative, and collegial manner with faculty, other staff, students, international scholars, and visitors with diverse backgrounds and training
• Computer skills including experience with:
• Email
• Calendar systems such as iCal, Outlook, or Google
• Word processing software such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs
• Spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Ability to perform general maintenance duties (painting, and general work related to plumbing, electrical, carpentry, masonry, etc.).
• Able to perform general maintenance duties on the various equipment and items in the teaching laboratory.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Experience in a Higher Education setting.
• Knowledge of safety regulations, practices, and procedures followed in a chemical engineering laboratory.
• Ability to assess experimental procedures and streamline them to provide more efficient preparations and reduce the costs associated with instructional laboratories.
• Experience in training individuals in protocols or procedures.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Ability to lift/move up to 50 lbs.

Typical workshop/laboratory conditions

Potential hazards due to exposure to toxic gases and chemicals including acids, corrosive and flammable substances.

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday, 37.5 hours per week, 9 am – 5 pm

Salary Information

USA/MTA Grade 16

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please apply online and submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references. Search will remain open until filled.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.