Position Information

Position Information

Position Title: Research Specialist Position Number: 001181 Full-time or Part-time: Full Time Department: Biological Sciences Posting Number: 0401790 SHRA/EHRA: SHRA Job Category: Professional Hiring Range: $48,200-$55,000 Minimum salary: $36,363 Maximum salary: $87,527 Overall Position Competency: Journey Description of primary duties and responsibilities:

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit:

The mission of the Department of Biological Sciences is to provide high quality, student-centered academic programs and courses in the sciences at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In addition, the department provides each student with the opportunity to broaden his/her knowledge before deciding on a specific profession and being committed to the discovery and dissemination of knowledge in the fields of Biological Sciences. Our diverse faculty prepares students through education, research, and outreach programs to become critical thinkers. We offer degrees in Biology and Forensic Science. Our highly qualified faculty are driven to prepare students for careers in government, industry, health-related professions, education, and to pursue further study in graduate or professional schools. The Department strives to develop abilities and values to serve our regional, national, international, and military communities, and create a nurturing and learning environment for students, faculty, and staff.

Primary Purpose of the Position:

The primary purpose of this position is to manage the overall operation of the labs within the Department of Biological Sciences. This position will prepare labs for biological sciences courses, maintain and order materials and supplies needed for the lab, maintain protocols and safety guidelines for the lab, and will also manage the University greenhouse that is used for Biology and Botany labs.

Description of Work Continued:

70% – Prepare labs for biological science courses.

15% – Order lab materials and supplies needed for labs and update laboratory protocols and safety guidelines.

10% – Grow plants needed for all Botany and Biology labs and manage the university greenhouse.

5% – Assist in the set-up of various student programs sponsored by the department.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Knowledge skills and abilities:

Laboratory Management: Prepares chemical solutions and reagents for Biology and related laboratories and classrooms. Setup equipment and supplies for use in classrooms and laboratories. Maintains an inventory of equipment, supplies, and related research materials for classroom and laboratory use. Makes sure all preparations and setup of equipment and supplies needed by instructors to conduct classes and labs are in place before the classes and labs begin; Maintains the preparation area in a very clean and organized manner; Checks carts of equipment and supplies regularly and frequently to make sure the equipment is working properly and the quantities of supplies are sufficient for the labs; submits requests for ordering supplies when they are low; and servicing equipment, and purchasing equipment it is no longer fixable.

Lab Safety: Maintains a clean, well-organized preparation area and storage area. Checks equipment on a regular basis to assure proper operation is maintained. Removes from service items that do not operate properly or present potential safety hazard. Trains all users in the proper handling of chemicals and equipment and the proper storage and disposal of used and outdated items. Maintains a well-organized and clean area of work by checking the operations of each piece of equipment before it is placed on a cart to be used by faculty and students. Informs quickly the faculty and students when she/he notices that a piece of equipment or chemicals have been misused. When new equipment or supplies are added, everyone is trained on their proper usage. Proper ways of waste disposal are discussed with faculty and students, and safe containers for disposal of chemicals and broken glassware are provided; Equipment with electrical connections is removed from service at the first sign of loose or frayed plugs or cords. Serves in the Lab Safety Committee and makes sure the guidelines of the Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) are followed properly.

Technical and Professional Knowledge: Keeps up-to-date changes in equipment and best-practices in laboratory management and teaching. Maintains technical knowledge and provides recommendation for equipment and supplies to meet the needs for normal instructional and research activities. Keeps up-to-date on technical changes and professional information and changes that occur; uses professional knowledge to teach the labs when instructors are absent. The technical knowledge is used to help the Dept. keep up with the latest trends in the field so that students gain the greatest impact in the learning of subject matter.

Greenhouse Management: Manage all operations of the university greenhouse. Grows and maintains plants for all labs that need them in the Dept. Help in training students in how to grow plants in controlled environment in the greenhouse and manage the spaces (1) designed for growing plants for labs and (2) designed for faculty and students research. Maintains all equipment and safety in the greenhouse.

Office Technology: The position requires knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and other applications. Additionally, the position manages materials and supplies for labs using systems and processes that are already established.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment and have one year of directly related experience in gardening and greenhouse management; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Special Instructions to Applicants: Closing Date: 05/13/2019 Open Until Filled: No Other Information

If no applicants apply who meet the required competency level and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.

EEO Statement:

Fayetteville State University is committed to equality of educational opportunity and employment and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity,sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status. Moreover, Fayetteville State University values diversity and actively seeks to recruit talented students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds.

Veteran's Statement

Fayetteville State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and seeks priority referrals of protected veterans for our openings.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you possess a bachelor's degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment and have one year directly related experience in gardening and greenhouse management? Or an equivalent combination of training and experience?
   • Yes
   • No
2. * Do you possess a bachelor's degree in plant biology, biology, or related field?
   • Yes
   • No
3. * Are you willing to attend professional seminar/conferences to keep abreast of technological advances?
   • Yes
   • No
4. * Do you have experience growing plans in controlled and non-controlled environments?
   • Yes
   • No

Optional & Required Documents Required Documents

Optional Documents