Laboratory/Technical Support Specialist and Building Manager for Natural Sciences

Laboratory/Technical Support Specialist and Building Manager for Natural Sciences

Department: Academic Affairs/Natural Sciences

Supervisor: Physics Chair

Position Summary: Texas Lutheran University invites applications for a full-time Laboratory and Technical Support/Building Manager staff position for the natural sciences. The position supports physics courses/labs including the makers- space, with additional support (as needed) for instrumentation and equipment for chemistry and biology courses/labs with general building management duties.

Job Responsibilities:

Responsibilities:

• Assisting faculty in the natural sciences as needed to maintain lab equipment and instrumentation with focus on upkeep and management of a makers space, along with introductory lab equipment and advanced lab instrumentation. Tasks will include:
  1. keeping up-to-date maintenance records
  2. communicating maintenance needs to department chair(s)
  3. keeping up-to-date inventory of equipment/instrumentation and associated supplies
  4. performing light maintenance on a variety of instrumentation and equipment and assisting in coordinating professional (external) maintenance calls (as needed)
  5. communicating equipment, instrumentation, and supplies needs to department chair(s).
• Assisting physics faculty with preparation and setup for physics teaching laboratories;
• Assisting faculty and students with training and operation of makers-space equipment, including fabrication tools, electronics tools, small CNC, and a variety of hand power tools;
• Taking responsibility for identifying building maintenance/repair issues and coordinating work with facilities staff on a regular basis.
• Professionalism:
• Maintaining a professional image.
• Keeping the work environment neat and orderly.
• Maintaining a safe environment through adherence to all safety procedures.
• Teamwork:
• Working as a team player, supporting and assisting faculty, staff, and students.
• Identifying and participating in resolution of departmental/institutional problems with continuous quality improvement as a goal.
• Demonstrating reliability and a dependable work ethic.
• Customer Relations:
• Working to make faculty, staff, students, visitors, and external constituents feel welcome and respected as individuals, treating them with courtesy and dignity.
• Exhibiting appropriate behavior in an academic setting.
• Demonstrating effective and respectful communication.
• Performing other related duties as assigned or requested.
• Qualifications:
• Education
• B.S./B.A. in science or related field, or equivalent related experience.
• Experience:
• Experience may include previous positions that included similar work responsibilities, including military service, industrial/mechanical/machinist positions, or similar academic-focused positions at the K-12 or university level.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Excellent organizing skills;
• Experience with standard science laboratory equipment and safety requirements;
• Experience with electronics troubleshooting and repair and standard machine shop instrumentation, including subtractive and additive manufacturing techniques;
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.;
• Demonstrated attention to detail to manage inventories and laboratory equipment/supplies for physics laboratories;
• Ability to work effectively with faculty;
• Willingness to work effectively with students;
• Ability to practice appropriate safety protocols and waste disposal methods;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team;
• Ability to multitask and work with frequent interruptions;
• Willingness to research and learn new skills required for maintenance and small repairs;
• General familiarity with computers, spreadsheets, and Microsoft Office products and the willingness to learn other software as needed for lab inventory management and maintenance records;
• Understanding and support of the mission and strategic plan of Texas Lutheran University

Benefits are competitive. Texas Lutheran University, an accredited university affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is located 35 miles from downtown San Antonio. Please submit an application, a resume, and the contact information for at least three professional references to:

Human Resources

Texas Lutheran University

1000 W. Court Street

Seguin, Texas 78155

FAX: (830) 372-6409

E-mail: humanresources@tlu.edu

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made. Texas Lutheran University has been consistently recognized as a “Great College to Work For” by ModernThink. Texas Lutheran University (TLU) is an official U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” selection among regional colleges in the West, ranking second on the list for “Best Value,” and fifth overall. This is the eighth consecutive year TLU has been featured on the “Best Value” rankings. Other notable recognitions include TLU’s acknowledgment as a top 20 regional college for Social Mobility—the fourth year the university has appeared in this category. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and also is subject to the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA). Texas Lutheran University is committed to enhancing diversity and inclusion across all levels of the University. Candidates who believe they can contribute to this goal are strongly encouraged to apply.