Date: August 9, 2022
Title: Technical Specialist in Biology

Description: Under the supervision of the Chairperson of the Biology Department, the Technical Specialist in Biology will ensure that biology laboratories are organized, safe, and run efficiently to support student learning in the classroom and during research projects. The Technical Specialist will teach up to two introductory lab sections per semester. As an expert in lab safety and practices, the Technical Specialist will support student and faculty researchers and supervise work-study students to help them develop skills and work experiences that will translate to their FlightPath and resume. The Technical Specialist will develop and maintain hazard awareness and safety protocols in accordance with regulatory agencies (NYSDOH, DEC), work in coordination with the Chemical Hygiene Office of the College to maintain a chemical inventory (including Material Safety Data Sheets), and collect and dispose of chemical and biological waste.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the Biology Department’s supplies and equipment:
  • anticipate needs for expendable laboratory supplies (including compressed gas)
  • maintain equipment including annual service and repairs
  • assist faculty and students with locating and ordering supplies from vendors
  • following up on problems with vendors
• Prepare materials and equipment for use in teaching laboratories and assist faculty and students with laboratory procedures associated with research projects
• Teach up to two, 100-level sections of Biology Laboratory per semester
• Train and supervise 2-5 work-study employees. Student workers must learn to safely handle hazardous materials, accurately prepare solutions, and follow written and verbal directions carefully
• Coordinate lab safety, including the collection and disposal of chemical and biological waste, and the maintenance of (material) safety data sheets (SDS/MSDS) and a digital chemical inventory
• Maintain live plant and animal collections, as needed and in accordance with regulatory agencies
• Create and maintain positive relationships with all internal and external constituents
• Comply with all applicable college, federal, state, local and associational regulations
• As a representative of the College, the employee is expected to comport oneself in a professional manner at all times, both on and off campus
• Participate in significant campus activities including Welcome Weekend, True Blue Weekend, and Commencement Weekend
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Qualifications: Minimum requirements for this position are a master’s degree in biology or other scientific field from an accredited college, university, or technical school; or experience in a similar position.

• Familiarity with common biological instrumentation including autoclave, balances, pipettors, and microscopes
• Basic computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets, databases)
• Working knowledge of basic laboratory skills including preparation of chemical solutions, technical writing, and laboratory safety
• Willing to supervise and teach students with various levels of lab experience
• A knowledge of biology as it applies to a four-year college or university program
• Laboratory experience working with chemicals and hazardous materials
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Highly organized; able to prioritize and efficiently manage multiple tasks while paying attention to details
• Supervisory and teaching experience is a plus
• Ability to be flexible
• Clean driving record and valid driver’s license
• Occasional weekend work as necessary
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to see color
• Must be able to frequently lift or move packages weighing 20-50 pounds: postal boxes, five-gallon pails of hazardous waste, and bags of animal feed, bedding and potting mix

All employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to the start of their employment.

An independent, residential liberal arts college enrolling approximately 1,200 full-time undergraduates, Hartwick embraces the teacher-scholar model, with teaching excellence as the first priority, and seeks to recruit, retain and promote a diverse workforce. The College features a Liberal Arts in Practice general education curriculum and aspires to “be the best at melding liberal arts education with experiential learning.”

Hartwick operates as a community of learners where there is a very real sense of belonging and connection. By joining Hartwick, you become part of a group of people who work together, share in our successes, and a celebrate our accomplishments. All positions at Hartwick contribute to the education and development of students with the opportunity to see the impact on future leaders—what you do at Hartwick really matters.

Our beautiful 425-acre campus is located in the scenic Susquehanna River valley in Oneonta, New York—a charming town near the northern foothills of the Catskill Mountains. Hartwick offers health benefits to domestic partners of employees, flexible scheduling, opportunities to engage in athletic and cultural events (concerts, exhibits, and lectures) and tuition benefits for eligible employees and their dependents.

Hartwick College prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation/preference and gender identity/expression and is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to broadening “the understanding, awareness, and appreciation of diversity among all members of the Hartwick community.” Women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

Hartwick College is committed to providing a safe and secure educational and employment environment. Employment at Hartwick College is therefore contingent upon a successful background check on every new employee. Candidates to whom an offer of employment is made will be required to sign a Release of Information Form authorizing the College to conduct a thorough background check.

Hartwick College is committed to a diverse candidate pool, values an inclusive workforce and workplace environment, and wishes to minimize or eliminate the impact of implicit bias during the search and hiring process.

All applicants are asked to submit the following materials with their online applications:

• A cover letter;
• A resume;
• A Diversity Statement that addresses how your past and/or potential contributions to diversity will support Hartwick College’s Diversity Statement (https://www.hartwick.edu/campus-life/intercultural-affairs/diversity-at-hartwick/); and
• The names and contact information for three references, with annotation regarding how the reference is related to you and your work (at least one of your references must be from a current and/or previous supervisor).

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.