Laboratory Technician
This is a two year student contractor position. The student will be asked to physically prepare samples which have been submitted for chemical analysis, move and arrange boxes of samples and label sample containers. The physical preparation of samples may include a variety of tasks to include: sieving, disaggregating, crushing, pulverizing and grinding. All of the sample preparation tasks the student will be undertaking will involve established USGS techniques. The student will be trained in all aspects of sample preparation. The student will be expected to catalog archived samples. Most samples are currently located on steel warehouse shelves that stand approximately 14 feet high. The student will be asked to move and catalog samples from the active archive in Building 20 to the permanent archive in Building 810. In addition, the student will be responsible for making sample retrievals from the sample archive. Requests are made by staff scientists to retrieve samples from the archive to make supplemental analytical determinations. The student will be expected to make these retrievals, which could be hundreds to thousands of samples. When the supplemental analyses have been completed, the student will be responsible for accurately filing the samples back in the sample archive. Work hours are anytime between 8:00am-6pm Monday through Friday.
When working in the sample preparation laboratory there will be long periods of standing and repetitive actions. There is also exposure to loud noises from sample preparation equipment. Safety training is mandatory and will be provided before the student learns to operate the sample prep equipment. Personal protective gear is required and will be provided by the USGS. If cataloging samples, work may be performed independently in a warehouse environment. The work is primarily active, with long periods of standing, lifting, and climbing. The work may require long periods of sitting in front of a computer monitor. Use of ladders or scissors lift will be necessary. Training and certification in the use of ladders and scissors lift will be provided. The student will be required to observe standard workplace safety requirements. For safety purposes the student shall enter the building only during business hours or when a project member is present. The student will be required to report in upon entering on duty and when leaving duty each day.
- Compensation: Is commensurate with the level of education as follows:
$17.09 per hour for student who has a high school diploma
$18.66 per hour for student who has 1 year of college
$20.94 per hour for student who has 2+ years of college
$23.42 per hour for student who has BA/BS