Job Posting

Biology Teaching Laboratories Supervisor

University of California Santa Cruz

Reporting to the Biology Teaching Laboratories (BTL) Manager, the BTL Supervisor provides technical and logistical support for instructional laboratory courses in the Biological Sciences. This position supports a broad range of courses offered by the departments of Molecular, Cell and Developmental (MCD) Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), and Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology (METX). The BTL Supervisor works closely with the BTL Manager to supervise teaching laboratory spaces, personnel and operations. The BTL Supervisor directly supports laboratory courses, and advises BTL support staff, students and instructors.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Budgeted Salary: $70,000 – $80,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 006243 (LAB INSTRUCTION SUPV 1)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

60% – TECHNICAL LABORATORY AND FIELD COURSE SUPPORT

• Apply molecular genetics, cell biology, microbiology and other methods to support biology laboratory and field courses. Act as lead support for any MCD, EEB or METX lower or upper division laboratory course offered at UC Santa Cruz. Serve as the gold standard for excellence in laboratory and field course support, and function as an advisor and primary technical resource for staff, students and instructors.
• Collaborate with instructors and colleagues to develop, analyze and modify experimental protocols. Evaluate organisms, reagents, media, chemicals, equipment, and procedural methodologies to ensure and improve experimental success. Test new protocols through a combination of experimentation, literature review and consultation with colleagues and instructors. Supervise and collaborate with four BTL staff members to address technical issues, eliminate inefficiencies and ensure student success. Prepare course materials and reagents. Order supplies, chemicals, and consumables to ensure stocks are adequate for successful course support. Maintain or supervise the maintenance of collections of living organisms for teaching purposes. Maintain detailed, clearly written laboratory notebooks and updated digital records of laboratory course protocols, materials and equipment needs.
• Enforce appropriate methods for the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials, including chemicals and biohazards, in accordance with UCSC Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) codes and guidelines. Maintain records for quarterly laboratory safety checks, chemical inventories, and promote awareness of EH&S rules and regulations. Inform staff members and student workers regard logistical or safety issues.
• Provide administrative and technical equipment support. Determine whether equipment is adequate for specific experimental needs. Assess equipment availability, condition and suitability. Address equipment needs, issues or malfunctions. Assist with instructional equipment purchases by researching literature, consulting technical documentation, assessing costs, or scheduling vendor demonstrations. Assemble, install, calibrate, test, clean, and troubleshoot equipment as needed. Schedule equipment maintenance or repairs with support personnel.

30% – TEACHING LABORATORY SUPERVISION AND TRAINING

• Supervise four BTL staff members, oversee preparatory spaces, laboratory classrooms and course support activities. Be directly responsible for hiring, determining work assignments, determining job changes, writing performance evaluations, discipline and resolution of complaints or grievances. Monitor and advise staff and student workers. Supervise and assist in laboratory space cleaning, glassware washing, autoclave sterilization and surface decontamination. Work with the BTL Manager to resolve staff issues, incidents, facilities problems, or safety concerns. Train staff in the correct application of laboratory methods and procedures. Assign and prioritize tasks to meet short-term goals. Provide staff members with appropriate assistance, direction and coordination to meet course support deadlines and overcome technical obstacles. Participate in the selection and evaluation of recruitment candidates, serve on hiring search committees and contribute to annual performance evaluations for BTL staff members. Provide constructive feedback to improve employee performance and clarify expectations when standards are not met.
• Manage placement of equipment and supplies to foster efficiency and safety. Train staff, students and instructors in the proper use of laboratory equipment. Maintain and provide standard operating procedures for teaching laboratory equipment and supervise equipment use. Work closely with instructors and teaching assistants to provide advice and guidance in practical aspects of laboratory operations. Rigorously test protocols for laboratory coursework prior to lab course exercises, with or without instructor involvement.
• Train staff and student workers to properly handle and dispose of hazardous materials. Enforce EH&S safety regulations and hazard awareness for all lab users. Update and maintain the BTL Safety Data Sheets and chemical inventory. Train staff to use the BTL chemical inventory database and ensure all lab members know how to locate safety information.

10% – ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

• Purchase supplies, course materials and equipment with corporate credit cards and through a purchase order system. Use corporate cards appropriately and complete submission of monthly statements with documentation for approval in a timely manner. Assist other staff members with these processes as needed. Keep records of materials required for laboratory courses and fine-tune purchasing to reflect changing needs while keeping costs economical. Respond to service needs, address shipping issues, and work with vendors to resolve problems. Summarize quarterly course support expenses and assist in cost analysis as directed.
• Assist with BTL equipment inventories. Keep and update records of laboratory and field course supplies, materials and equipment. Manage equipment loans. Maintain security for valuable equipment and controlled areas. In collaboration with the BTL Manager, assist with 24-hour emergency responses.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Focus of knowledge and skills in molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, ecology or evolution, as attained through coursework leading to a master’s degree or PhD.
• Highly specific knowledge of the principles of modern laboratory and field biology associated with conducting and reporting on scientific research, including reagent preparation, sterile technique, gene amplification, cloning, sequencing, microbiological methods, data analysis, results synthesis and ecological or evolutionary field studies.
• Strong biology teaching laboratory and field course support experience.
• Strong experience with the operation, maintenance and purchasing of specialized laboratory equipment and supplies.
• Solid leadership and organizational skills associated with planning work assignments, prioritizing schedules to meet strict deadlines, supervising personnel and overseeing instructional spaces.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, students, faculty and instructors.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work well with a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff.
• Ability to work a variable schedule on occasion, including early mornings, evenings and weekends.
• Solid interpersonal communication skills. Experience supervising staff members, training others in scientific procedures, overseeing their work and evaluating their performance.
• Knowledge of lab safety procedures and requirements, including recognition of chemical hazards and biohazards, and their safe handling and disposal.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Ability to perform essential physical job functions.
• The ability to ascend/descend ladders with or without accommodation.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., with or without accommodation.
• Will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Ability to respond to emergencies after hours as necessary.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to work safely in areas where hazardous materials are present or stored.
• Ability to wear a respirator in accordance with the California Code of Regulations Title 8, 5144.
• Ability to wear proper safety attire (long pants, closed-toe shoes, etc.) and personal protective equipment common in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to read signs and follow directions on labels that are written in English as well as ability to read and understand Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and the proper use of chemical compounds.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

APPLICANTION INSTRUCTIONS
View full job description and access on-line application:
https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucsc/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=11&JobOpeningId=54574&PostingSeq=1

To ensure review of application materials by the hiring unit, they must be submitted on or before the initial review date of 12 July 2023 via the Staff Employment Opportunities web site; https://jobs.ucsc.edu

Review of applications to begin on 07/12/2023