Laboratory Assistant

General Function

Performs a variety of custodial and clerical tasks related to operation of the department's laboratory.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities—Essential Functions

• Organizes laboratory, work areas, equipment, and supplies; cleans work area and equipment.
• Transports materials which may include food, utensils, or animals to and from laboratory.
• Receives and stores all laboratory equipment and supplies; maintains inventory of supplies; reorders as necessary.
• Maintains and operates laboratory equipment.
• May feed, water, clean cages, and monitor health of laboratory animals.
• May assist in student lab set-up and clean up.

Reporting Relationships

Direction Received: Reports to Animal Facilities Supervisor or Chair of Department.

Direction Given: Occasional monitoring and training of student employees. May occasionally assist in training classified staff.

Minimum Requirements

Requires high school diploma or GED.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Worker Characteristics

• Knowledge of laboratory procedures
• Ability to maintain records
• Requires driver's license

Working Conditions

Physical effort usually requires considerable walking and standing with some lifting of materials weighing 25 to 50 pounds. Some exposure to unpleasant elements which are particularly disagreeable. Some element of personal risk due to handling of chemicals, extremely hot water, and/or animals.

Please note: The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular positions. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. For jobs occupied by more than one employee, the identification of non-essential functions shall be determined from the individual’s position description.