Summary/Objective

The Laboratory Assistant will demonstrate a strong commitment to the principles of laboratory science, including adherence to standard methods and operating procedures, attention to detail in the generation and documentation of results, and maintaining a safe working environment. Responsibilities include assisting R&D/Lab Services staff with the completion of routine water quality and diagnostic services (e.g., sample collection, glassware and media preparation) and experiments involving trout and salmon (e.g., daily care for experimental animals, sample collection, data recording) in support of a large commercial aquaculture operation.   

Essential Functions

Responsibilities include:

• Exhibiting familiarity with and adherence to laboratory safety standards and other safety guid-ance
• Monitoring inventories of laboratory consumables
• Cleaning glassware, completing routine maintenance/calibration of laboratory equipment
• Assisting with collection and analysis of samples to determine water quality or for re-search/disease diagnostic purposes (e.g., field collection of water samples, fish dissec-tions/necropsies)
• Providing daily care to experimental animals consistent with animal welfare standards to ensure the generation of valid data (e.g., observation, feeding, removing mortalities, water quality, record-ing data)
• Records-keeping related to documentation of daily fish care, test results, maintenance/calibration of laboratory equipment, etc.  
• Always working to produce products people can trust by recognizing poor quality and communi-cating with management.
• Providing prompt, friendly and courteous service to internal and external customers.
• Continually pursuing sustainability of our natural resources with every decision, decreasing waste and being conscious of individual choices
• Advocating positive change within our team, empowering one another
• Completing other duties as required

Competencies

Familiarity with laboratory science and use of standard operating procedures

Competency with Microsoft Office program suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Attention to detail, critical thinking, safety, and continual improvement

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities

Work Environment

This job occasionally involves work in an outdoor environment and may involve exposure to inclement weather conditions

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• This job is occasionally physically demanding and requires the ability to lift 50 pounds.  
• Alternately walking and sitting for long periods of time is required. 
• The ability to bend, squat, kneel, step, reach, lift, push, pull, see, hear and talk are required.  
• Fine motor skills associated with laboratory work (e.g., necropsy procedures, chemical handling, operation of analytical equipment) are required.  

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position, which could include occasional work on Saturdays or Sundays

Travel

Local travel is required

Required Education and Experience

• The ability to speak, read, understand and follow directions with or without reasonable accommodations
• Knowledge of routine laboratory practices
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, animal science, or a related field
• Experience working in a biological or aquaculture laboratory setting

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

None

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.