5556 Laboratory and Stores Supervisor, Natural Sciences - West Plains

POSITION IDENTIFICATION

TITLE Laboratory and Stores Supervisor, Natural Sciences - West Plains

CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 5556

GRADE 25

CLASSIFICATION Nonexempt

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Division Chair, Science and Mathematics

GENERAL FUNCTION

The Laboratory and Stores Supervisor, Natural Sciences-WP utilizes knowledge of natural sciences to supervise the natural science stores and laboratories including assuring proper storage and disposal of reagents.   The Laboratory and Stores Specialist, Natural Sciences-WP provides solutions and reagents for the instructional laboratories by preparing solutions of specific concentrations, properly purifying reagents, and troubleshooting problems that occur with solutions.  The Laboratory and Stores Supervisor, Natural Sciences-WP trains and supervises work-study students functioning as student laboratory assistants, supports faculty in ordering equipment, chemicals, and supplies, and maintains inventory control over all materials, equipment, and supplies received and contained within the natural science storage facilities.  The Laboratory and Stores Supervisor, Natural Sciences-WP is designated an Academic Affiliate and teaches selected college courses and/or laboratory sections in the natural sciences.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Bachelor’s degree in a natural science or a related professional degree is required.

Experience:    At least one year experience is required in an industrial, commercial, government, or other laboratory setting, including educational laboratory experiences, where knowledge of chemical and physical properties is employed, including accepted methods for the safe storage, handling and disposal of chemical substances typically used in a variety of university laboratories.

Skills:    Effective interpersonal and managerial skills are required.  Computer application skills including word processing, spreadsheet, email, and internet skills, are required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.

Effort:    Must be able to lift and carry materials and objects weighing up to 40 pounds.

Other:    Must possess normal color vision and olfactory response.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
 
1. Utilizes an understanding of chemical reactivity to assure compliance with all applicable
safety regulations and standards by storing reagents in the proper manner (at room temperature, at very cold temperatures, in a nitrogen atmosphere, in a hood, etc.), safely disposing of all waste (i.e., hazardous, biological, chemical, etc.)  generated by the departments, (in coordination with the Director of Environmental Management), and keeping accurate records, including Material Safety Data Sheets, of receipt, storage, and disposition of reagents.

2. Helps to ensure an effective laboratory experience for students by providing all necessary
equipment, glassware, solutions and reagents for the instructional laboratories, preparing solutions of specific concentrations by weighing and measuring the volume correctly, mixing the solution correctly, troubleshooting and problem solving when solutions do not work as desired in the teaching laboratories, and preparing microbiology media.

3. Helps to assure laboratory safety at the university by working with the University’s Director of Environmental Management, attending seminars related to scientific laboratory operation, reagent storage, and hazardous waste disposal, and making recommendations to assure and enhance the safe operation of laboratories and chemical storage facilities.

4. Complies with established guidelines and regulations for the proper and safe storage of all equipment and glassware maintained in the department.  

5. Helps to ensure laboratory supplies (i.e., chemicals, biology samples, cleaning supplies, etc.) are in adequate supply, including transporting them to and from the Mountain Grove campus.

6. Helps to ensure an effective instructional operation by training and supervising student laboratory assistants in the safe preparation of chemical reagents and other materials and supplies as specified by instructors and in the delivery and storage of these items.  

7. Maintains active involvement in the natural sciences academic program by participating as an academic affiliate, providing instruction as assigned by the supervisor in accordance with Faculty Duties and Responsibilities section of the current Missouri State University-WP Faculty Handbook relative to teaching, and actively participating in required activities.

8. Contributes to the learning experience of students by maintaining and utilizing a current
knowledge of reagents, equipment, and new approaches to laboratory instruction.

9. Contributes to laboratory safety by providing sanitized safety goggles and other safety equipment, as prescribed by Missouri statues, to students and instructors.

10. Ensures laboratory equipment is properly maintained and functional and provides recommendations for replacement of equipment as necessary.

11. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.

12. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing
professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and  attending training and/or courses required by the Division Chair of Math and Science.

13. Contributes to the overall success of the Natural Sciences departments (Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, and Physics) by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

SUPERVISION

The Laboratory and Stores Supervisor, Natural Sciences-WP is supervised by the Division Chair of Math and Sciences on the West Plains campus in coordination with  the department head of the disciplines within Natural Sciences (Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, and Physics).  

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JANUARY 2017

JOB FAMILY 2

Factor 1: Educational Requirements of the Job

Level 7.0 - 475 Points: The job requires a college degree in a business or technical area and/or a four-year degree with specific classes in a specialized or technical area.

Factor 2: Skill Requirements - Craft and Trade Skills

Level 3.0 - 550 Points: General mechanical or technical aptitude and specific knowledge and experience in a skill, craft, or trade. The ability to perform standard procedures, operations, and/or operate specific equipment, that is required through at least two years of experience and previous training is required.

Factor 3: Managerial Responsibility

Level 1.0 - 25 Points: No responsibility for the work of others. Limited responsibility for expenses, purchases, or inventory.

Factor 4: Guidelines

Level 2.0 - 50 Points: Specific guidelines and established routines exist, but some judgment in applying guidelines and deviating from standards must be exercised. The number and similarity of guidelines and work situations requires the employee to use judgment in locating and selecting the most appropriate guidelines, references, and procedures for application and in making minor deviations to adapt guidelines in specific cases. At this level, the employee may also determine which of several alternatives to use. Situations to which the existing guidelines cannot be applied or significant proposed deviations from the guidelines are referred to a supervisor.

Factor 5: Contacts

Level 4.0 - 175 Points: The purpose is to coordinate activities involving employees, students, and/or the general public. At this level, contacts involve considerable interpersonal skill involving cooperation and coordination and may involve the organization of activities of programs requiring working relationships among several parties. While contacts may require some level of persuasion, potential for conflicts and disputes are relatively minor.

Factor 6: Work Environment

Level 3.0 - 70 Points: The work area involves moderate discomfort and/or risk such as operating heavy machinery or dangerous equipment, or frequent exposure to hazardous materials. Alternatively, the work area may be subject to environmental discomfort such as poor ventilation. Loud noises, and/or extremes of heat or cold. The work often requires wearing protective gear that may be uncomfortable. The nature of the work environment may produce moderate levels of stress.

Factor 7: Physical Demands

Level 2.0 - 60 Points: Work requires some exertion such as standing for long periods of time, considerable walking, frequent bending kneeling, reaching, and stooping. May include occasional lifting of moderately heavy objects. Work may require specific but common physical abilities.

Factor 8: Responsibility for Facilities and Resources

Level 3.0 - 70 Points: At this level would be jobs in which the incumbent has considerable ongoing responsibility for building security and public safety.

Factor 9: Complexity

Level 3.0 - 450 Points: The work includes various duties involving different and unrelated processes and methods. Decisions regarding what needs to be done depend upon knowledge of the duties, priorities, commitments, policies, and program goals of the supervisor and the department and involve the analysis of the subject, phase, or issues involved in each project or assignment, and the course of action may have to be selected from many alternatives. The work involves elements that must be identified and analyzed to discern interrelationships.