General Technician

The Biology Department at the University of Winnipeg offers courses that cover a wide variety of biological disciplines. The department includes 9 teaching labs, 3 prep labs, several research labs, a greenhouse, herbarium and has a close association with the Vivarium.

Responsibilities and workload may vary due to enrolment numbers, course schedule or the workload of the other technologists. The preparation and time required for each course is dependent on the number of lab sections per course.

**Responsibilities**:

- Refers to the lab schedule/outline to ensure adequate supplies are on hand for the planned exercises.
- Prepare and maintain media/reagents/solutions.
- Operate and maintain lab instruments and equipment and calibrate when necessary.
- Complete set-up and take-down procedures:

- Coordinate multiple student workstation set-ups, or a single set-up of different workstations in an organized and coordinated manner.
- Organizes display material to supplement biological concepts.
- Check assigned labs previous day’s set-up for issues that need addressing.
- Remove dirty glassware and transfer to the wash-up area; ensure safe disposal of waste, inspect/clean/maintain/calibrate/repair/store equipment; clean the laboratory.
- Coordinate with the Greenhouse Technologist in advance to requisition plant material for course work.
- Responsible for the efficient, well-maintained and organized operation of assigned teaching labs and shared preparation areas.
- Maintain an up-to-date lab course set-up binder with instructor lab outlines and technician set-up notes.
- Notify instructors/student demonstrators with details of any alterations to an experiment.
- Acquire, produce or maintain display material.
- Maintain inventory of various slides, specimens, models and charts.
- Maintain a variety of live algae, invertebrates and aquatic plants. Culture experimental organisms at appropriate life cycle and time to coordinate with lab schedule.
- Maintain cultures (living organisms) relocated into teaching lab (either temporarily or permanently).
- Use proper disposal protocol to discard living organisms.
- Submit requests for lab supplies.
- Comply with University safety and department policies to ensure staff and students maintain the same conditions in the laboratories.
- Routinely inspect Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety equipment for performance and replace when necessary.
- Attend safety training sessions, participate in inspections, maintain training documents and other records.
- Follow Safe Work Protocols (SWP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Critical Job Inventories and Job Hazard Risk Assessments for work areas. Creates, updates and/or reviews these documents for assigned labs and preparation areas.
- Conduct/participate in quarterly Campus Optics safety inspections for the teaching lab/prep area using with other technologists or SO personnel. Identify non-conformances and possible corrective actions in inspected areas. Correct minor deficiencies or send requests to appropriate department, i.e. Facilities. The SO will deal with major deficiencies.
- May initiate the completion of an incident/accident report, including preventive measures and corrective action taken.
- Inventory and restock first aid and spill kits.
- Complete annual chemical inventory, check expiry date, condition of chemicals and containers, and restock or evaluate the replacement quantity.
- Collect and label expired or degraded chemicals and discarded chemical waste disposal for hazard waste pick-up, ensures waste disposed of in the correct manner.
- Maintain hazardous waste records.
- Maintain current SDS binders for teaching labs and preparation areas.
- Perform annual equipment inventory: update inventory database.
- Perform minor instrument maintenance and repairs, arrange for major repairs.
- Source or research new or alternate equipment, supplies, or software for lab use.
- Participate in regularly scheduled technical staff meetings.
- Act as a resource person providing basic theory and technical advice.
- Participate in annual Graduate Student Instructor workshop.
- Collaborate with instructors on lab related items.
- Inspect, test, and validate new equipment upon arrival.
- Track orders, review requisitions/packing slips for quantity and back-order items. Scan and update on-line department files.
- Purchase supplies and submit requests for reimbursement.
- Prepare Return of Goods and Asset Disposal forms.

**Qualifications**:

- A university undergraduate degree and/or a college diploma in a relevant science discipline from a recognized institution is required (i.e. BSc, Biology or Biological Technology).
- At least 3 years of directly related laboratory/technical experience.
- Effective oral and written communication skills with the ability to demonstrate or explain detailed technical procedures.
- Ability to work independently to organize workflow to meet deadlines.
- A strong biology and chemistry ba