Lab Assistant 3, Fish Facility (9602C), MCB Research - 51803
University of California, Berkeley
Application
Details
Posted: 29-Apr-23
Location: Berkeley, California
Type: Full-time
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 4140468
Lab Assistant 3, Fish Facility (9602C), MCB Research - 51803
About Berkeley
At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.
The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.
We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.
At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu.
Departmental Overview
The Department of Molecular & Cell Biology (MCB) is home to undergraduate and graduate academic programs as well as Faculty Research performed by faculty organized in five divisions:
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology
Cell and Developmental Biology
Genetics, Genomics and Development
Immunology and Pathogenesis
Neurobiology
The teaching and research activities of the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) concern the molecular structures and processes of cellular life and their roles in the function, reproduction, and development of living organisms. This agenda covers a broad range of specialized disciplines, including biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, structural biology, genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, cell biology, developmental biology, tumor biology, microbiology, immunology, pathogenesis and neurobiology. The types of living organisms from which the departmental faculty draws its working materials are as diverse as its disciplinary specializations, ranging from viruses and microbes through plants, roundworms, annelids, arthropods, and mollusks to fish, amphibia, and mammals. The faculty of the department is organized into five divisions: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Cell and Developmental Biology; Genetics, Genomics and Development; Neurobiology; and Immunology and Pathogenesis.
The Departments of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) and Integrative Biology (IB) together are among the largest academic departments at UC Berkeley. By several measures (including number of faculty and students, budget, and assigned square feet), these departments are larger than many UCB colleges and schools. The two departments represent over 186 faculty FTE (including Adjuncts, Professors of the Graduate School, active emeriti and 15 HHMI professors); 150 postdocs and other research positions; 375 graduate students; 80 department staff members; and 8 recharge centers. Financial resources include approximately $51M in annual extramural funding (which accounts for over half of the total sponsored research awards in the College of Letters & Science) and over $46M other fund sources. The department has 1,800 declared undergraduate majors (the largest majors on the Berkeley campus) and a total annual enrollment in classes of ~20,000. Department personnel are currently housed in seven buildings located in three widely separated parts of the campus.
Responsibilities
Prepare fish food and feed fish. The facility will expand to hold more than 2,500 3-liter tanks. Each tank contains a variable number of fish and the amount of food fed to each tank is deduced by the employee based on the tank occupancy and animal age.
Routine maintenance of aquaria and re-circulating water system.
Perform specialized system maintenance (Clean and calibrate conductivity and pH probes; disassemble UV sterilization system and perform repairs and/or replace UV bulbs; undertake major system repairs (e.g. pump replacement, leak repair).
Record keeping. The daily SOP checklist must be filled out and data, as well as any anomalies, recorded. Conductivity and pH values, feeding times, etc. are recorded on paper. Additionally, the employee must calculate daily the number of salts and bicarbonate to add to the water to achieve the appropriate conductivity, hardness/alkalinity, and pH and these values are recorded.
Analyze fish growth, assess when stocks can be moved from nursery to main facility, and be responsible for moving stocks as appropriate.
Wash tanks and their components, sterilize nets and glassware.
Train and supervise 2 work-study students during their shifts and train and/or assist lab members on fish facility tasks as requested.
Required Qualifications
Sufficient education or experience to be trained in the duties of the position.
Must be extremely reliable and responsible.
Able to follow directions, pay attention to detail, and keep careful records.
Once trained, must be able to work independently to perform required tasks and to recognize and report operational problems, and often undertake required repairs.
Ability to handle the physical requirements of the job.
Enjoy working with animals.
Must be available to work weekends and the occasional holidays.
Education/Training:
High school diploma and/or equivalent experience/training.
Preferred Qualifications
Previous work experience with animals or in an aquatic animal facility.
Some college coursework, particularly in the biological sciences and/or equivalent experience/training.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $23.82 (step 1.0) - $25.89 (step 3.0).
This is a 12-week, 60% full-time (24 hours per week), limited (temporary) position that is eligible for UC benefits.
This position is non-exempt and paid bi-weekly.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Other Information
This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Technical Unit (TX) between the University of California and the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/tx/index.html
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.
The University of California was chartered in 1868 and its flagship campus - envisioned as a "City of Learning" - was established at Berkeley, on San Francisco Bay. Today the world's premier public university and a wellspring of innovation, UC Berkeley occupies a 1,232 acre campus with a sylvan 178-acre central core. From this home its academic community makes key contributions to the economic and social well-being of the Bay Area, California, and the nation.