Chemistry Stockroom & Safety Technician
University of North Dakota

Job Info

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Salary/Position Classification

• $50,000 annual, Non-Exempt (Eligible for overtime)
• 40 hours per week
• 100% Remote Work Availability: No
• Hybrid Work Availability (requires some time on campus): No

Purpose of Position

To support faculty and students in the mission of the department by performing essential laboratory support functions that enable the faculty and chairperson to better focus on their primary functions. This person reports directly to the department chairperson, and indirectly to the faculty, serving as department stockroom and safety manager, and as department shipping and receiving clerk.

Duties & ResponsibilitiesStockroom & Safety Management

• Tasks involved in fulfilling the above duties/responsibilities (include description for physical and mental/cognitive demands)
• Draft, collaborate and advise in the development of lab safety policies, processes and procedures
• Implement safety polices and procedures, educate and advise faculty on policy or procedure updates
• Advise faculty on safety violations, report as necessary.
• Keep a running inventory of standard solvents, basic chemicals, and standard glassware. Ensure inventory is properly stored and inventory levels are appropriate from a safety standpoint
• Store chemicals, solvents, and chemical apparatus according to code and regulation
• Keep the stockroom neat and orderly so that meets safety and professional standards
• Uphold good rapport with vendors on and off campus
• Supervise the retrieval of SDS files for purchased chemicals, storage of SDS files, and update of SDS database
• Manage stock of the lab coats and personal protective equipment for teaching and research personnel
• Ensure safe operation of the stockroom and related activities
• Review requests for chemicals from faculty and researchers to ensure it is within what is allowable quantities per safety standards.
• Modify requests as necessary to ensure safety.
• Distribute chemicals, solvents, and chemical apparatus
• Inform faculty and/or researchers of changes to their request based on safety standards
• Maintain chemical, equipment, and apparatus inventory levels
• Maintain availability hours on a daily basis and when unavailable ensure personnel is informed when next available
• Order needed chemicals, solvents, and chemical apparatus using Jaggaer system
• Request quotes and negotiate pricing with sales representatives of scientific suppliers (vendors)
• Follow correct ordering procedures when dealing with vendors
• Use State/UND/Department Contract protocols with regard to purchasing chemicals and scientific equipment
• Respond to small spills and assist in cleanup. Notify safety when there is a large spill and assist in cleanup
• Inspect and Audit labs in conjunction with Safety
• Make necessary changes to protocols based on reviews

Supervision of Stockroom Assistants

• Tasks involved in fulfilling the above duties/responsibilities (include description for physical and mental/cognitive demands)
• Interview and hire part-time stockroom assistants
• Train stockroom assistants in the following:
  • laboratory and stockroom techniques
  • laboratory and stockroom safety protocols possible hazards,
  • proper cleaning of laboratory areas, glassware and equipment
  • preparation of laboratory areas prior to classes
  • proper maintenance of lab equipment
  • proper preparation and distribution of solutions for teaching laboratories
  • how to serve teaching labs
• Schedule stockroom assistants so that all of the hours for the teaching labs are covered with someone in the stockroom

Hazardous Waste Disposal

• Prepare waste materials for disposal / disposition
• Keep a running inventory of hazardous materials
• Ensure waste disposal containers are placed in the teaching labs, monitored and emptied
• Interface with the university safety offices with respect to hazardous chemical and waste issues
• Lead/manage disposal procedures within chemistry research and teaching facilities, partner with UND safety office as needed
• Manage and inspect the day-to-day satellite and central accumulation areas to ensure compliance

Undergraduate Lab Preparation

• Examine new labs to determine amounts and types of chemicals that need to be ordered
• Keep the student lockers filled and in good working order
• Maintain teaching labs in good working order
• Maintain teaching lab equipment in good working order and replace items with poor appearance or function
• Clean teaching labs prior to use
• Review past usage and confer with faculty to determine needs
• Prepare and supervise solution preparations for teaching labs.
• Set up a system of locker arrangements so that each student has a locker and is spread out throughout the teaching lab.
• Work with instructors to ensure copy of SDS used for lab is in the lab
• Ensure laboratory safety and compliance with hazardous material regulations
• Work with instructors and researchers to ensure safe operation of the lab (e.g., chemical management/inventory, check performance of hoods, eye wash station, waste disposal)

Packaging

• Properly package and send out of the department a number of packages each year
• Receive orders for the Chemistry department and carefully examine these orders for breakage, shortages, and if they are complete
• Keep in touch with faculty/ researchers who ordered supplies when delivered and ensure proper storage (refrigeration), if working with grad students confirm via E-mail/Teams with faculty/research group

Facilities

• Perform annual stockroom, teaching and other affiliated labs inventory includes transferring items to surplus, reporting stolen items, transferring items to other departments
• Contact person for the department regarding surplus questions
• Place work orders with the Physical Plant in order to keep teaching labs in working order
• Maintaining and stocking first aid kits in teaching and research labs on semester basis and whenever depleted

Professional Duties

• Maintain proactive communication with faculty/staff and research personnel using Teams and E-mail
• With the direction of the department chair assist other departments/programs that may use the chemistry department facilities
• Actively participate on scheduled meetings (committee, staff)
• Ensure completion of all professional training

Required Competencies

• Must have ability to work effectively with faculty and students and be a self-starter
  and work with minimal supervision.
• Requires use of computer hardware and software.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and organizational skills and ability to work in a
  detail-oriented atmosphere.
• Demonstrate ability to positively interact with staff, faculty, students, co-workers and
  public.
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills
• Demonstrate ability to multi-task and function with a high degree of accuracy
• Demonstrate ability to work individually as well as part of a team
• Work to maintain a positive environment.
• Requires use of computer hardware and software.
• Demonstrate ability to manage inventories

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree Science or Engineering. December 2024 graduates will be considered.
• Experience with working with chemicals and instruments for teaching labs
• Experience with supervision of personnel working with chemicals and instruments
• Experience with chemical disposal. Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and
  Outlook
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with UND policies and procedures
• Experience with computer software for management of stockroom
• Safety experience with chemicals and/or lab environment
• Organic course work or experience with organic nomenclature and management

To Apply

Submit resume and cover letter by the application deadline.

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