Biology Stores Coordinator

Appointment: Regular, full-time (1.0 FTE) position.

Work Location

This position is based in Tacoma, WA. This is an on-campus role only.

Position Summary

The Biology Stores Coordinator supports the Biology Department in delivering safe and effective laboratory and research experiences for students and faculty. This role involves overseeing laboratory preparation, maintaining equipment and living specimens, managing departmental budgets and inventories, and ensuring compliance with environmental health and safety standards. The Coordinator also supervises student employees and works collaboratively with faculty, staff, and campus partners to ensure smooth day-to-day operations in teaching and research laboratories.

Essential Job Functions And Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain equipment, media, and supplies for teaching labs, independent projects, faculty research, and field trips.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot scientific instrumentation; coordinate service and repair contracts.
• Purchase and manage supplies, monitor departmental budgets, and provide cost estimates for equipment and laboratory operations.
• Supervise, train, and coordinate student employees; coordinate job related activities with a part-time Assistant Biology Stores Coordinator.
• Advise faculty and students on waste disposal and safety procedures; collaborate with Environmental Health & Safety to maintain compliance with regulations.
• Maintain living specimens, departmental greenhouse, and animal facilities, ensuring proper care and compliance with established guidelines.
• Manage chemical tracking, hazardous and infectious waste disposal, and autoclave operations.
• Consult with faculty and students on independent and senior thesis projects, providing training and assistance with supplies and equipment.
• Apply academic preparation (minimum bachelor's degree, with preference for advanced degree) in support of departmental operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including response to emergencies or urgent needs outside regular work hours.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position is responsible for the supervision of 1-5 student staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a science-related field required; master's degree or higher preferred.
• Experience in purchasing and basic tracking of expenditures.
• Experience with sterile technique, media preparation, and culture maintenance.
• Training or experience with fresh and saltwater aquaria, small mammal and retile care, and plant care.
• Proficiency in word processing, database management, spreadsheets, internet research, and Microsoft Office software.
• Background in chemical hygiene and hazardous waste management.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds (with additional help, if needed).
• Ability to respectfully work, communicate and provide leadership within a diverse campus community
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of scientific instrumentation with the ability to troubleshoot and maintain equipment.
• Knowledge and experience with microscopes, autoclaves, cryogenic equipment, compressed gases, and other common laboratory equipment.
• Knowledge of chemical safety, sterile technique, hazardous waste handling, and biohazard management.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and managerial skills; ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to adapt to changing timelines and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective communication skills to work with students, staff, faculty, and external vendors.
• Ability to learn additional related tasks.
  
  

Compensation And Benefits

It is anticipated that the successful candidate will be hired between $25.45 - $27.30 per hour. The rate for an experienced employee in this role may go up to $29.20 per hour, and starting salary will be based on experience level. Decisions about starting salaries are made based on the extent and relatedness of the candidate's education and experience and on internal equity and market considerations.

Puget Sound offers a generous benefits package for eligible staff employees, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement plan options and 403(b) contributions
• Paid vacation, sick leave, floating holiday, campus holidays and bonus holidays
• Education benefits, such as full tuition for eligible employees and their families
• Access to university facilities and entertainment (fitness center, pool, library, concerts, lectures and more!)
  
  

Please note

• Positions that work less than .75 FTE (1,560 hours per year) do not qualify for long-term disability or education benefits.
• Positions that work less than .50 FTE (1,040 hours per year) will accrue paid sick leave but are not eligible for additional benefits.
• Temporary positions that work at least .50 FTE (1,040 hours per year) will be eligible for benefits.
  
  

This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

For more information on Puget Sound's non-exempt staff benefits package, visit: Summary of 2025 Benefits for Staff Members in Non-Exempt Positions.pdf

For the Campus Holiday and Bonus Day Schedule, visit: https://www.pugetsound.edu/human-resources

Application Deadline

Review of applications will begin immediately. Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient number of qualified candidates have been identified.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Letter of Interest
  
  

Applications submitted without the required attachments will not be considered.

All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of all required background checks.

University Diversity Statement

We Acknowledge

• The richness of commonalities and differences we share as a university community.
• The intrinsic worth of all who work and study here.
• The investigation and reflection enhance that education upon multiple perspectives.
  
  

We Aspire

• To create respect for and appreciation of all persons as a key characteristic of our campus community.
• To increase the diversity of all parts of our university community through a commitment to diversity in our recruitment and retention efforts.
• To foster a spirit of openness to active engagement among all members of our campus community.
  
  

We Act

• To achieve an environment that welcomes and supports diversity.
• To ensure full educational opportunity for all who teach and learn here.
• To prepare citizen-leaders effectively for a pluralistic world.
  
  

Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. To learn more please visit: https://pugetsound.edu/about-puget-sound-0/mission-core-values/institutional-equity-diversity

The University of Puget Sound is an equal opportunity employer.

Please note that we generally do not sponsor applicants for work visas for staff positions. Therefore, we generally require applicants for staff positions to be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.