Life Sciences Lab Technician (part-time)

CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

Position Title:  Life Sciences Lab Technician (part-time)
Department:  Science Department
Reports To:  Head of Upper School

FLSA:  Nonexempt

Term:  10 months

Work:  10 – 15 hours per week, depending

Mission Statement

Through excellence in education, Charlotte Country Day School develops the potential of each student by fostering intellectual curiosity, principled character, ethical leadership, and a responsibility to serve.

Overview

Charlotte Country Day School (Country Day) is one of the largest independent, co-educational schools in the Charlotte area and one of the 15 largest in the continental United States. Enrollment is very strong, and the school is thriving. Highly regarded for the rigor of its academic program and the breadth of its offerings in the arts, athletics, community service, and leadership, Country Day is noteworthy for a long tradition of positioning itself at the forefront of curricular innovation.

A strong, forward-thinking institution, Country Day offers every child a chance to shine. The school is a diverse, inclusive community with strong academic and co-curricular programs designed for students to learn to think critically, act respectfully, and show sensitivity to the feelings and needs of others. The unique curriculum offered by Country Day prepares and strengthens students for participation in their local and global communities. With its focus on diversity, service, global study, and technology, Country Day positions students for future success in an ever-changing world. Country Day is committed to living as an authentic, inclusive community. Our pursuit of this commitment to community recognizes and affirms the richness brought by difference and discovered through commonality.

Position Details:

The Life Sciences Lab Technician plays a vital role in supporting the life science program by ensuring that laboratories are safe, well-organized, and fully prepared for instruction. This position supports courses from introductory through AP and IB levels and is responsible for laboratory preparation, safety compliance, inventory management, and equipment maintenance.

Working closely with life science faculty, the lab manager, department chair, and school staff, the technician ensures that all lab activities are prepared in advance and that materials are procured in a timely and cost-effective manner. The role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage both operational and safety responsibilities in a dynamic academic environment.

Essential Responsibilities include:

Laboratory Setup & Preparation:

• Collaborate with life science teachers to prepare and organize materials for laboratory experiments across all course levels (introductory through AP/IB).
• Maintain awareness of lab schedules and proactively prepare materials in advance to support instruction.
• Coordinate with faculty, the lab manager, department chair, and staff to ensure smooth execution of laboratory activities.
• Support additional science courses (chemistry and physics) as needed.

Inventory & Budget Management:

• Monitor and maintain inventory of equipment, chemicals, and supplies to ensure readiness for all labs.
• Assist the lab manager with ordering supplies, tracking purchases, and supporting budget management as needed.
• Coordinate purchasing to ensure timely delivery of materials and cost-effective procurement.
• Coordinate with school staff to ensure that specimen arrive as expected and are ready for labs.
• Maintain accurate records of inventory and expenditures using appropriate systems.

Equipment & Instrumentation:

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and ensure proper use of laboratory equipment and scientific instruments.
• Perform routine calibration and minor adjustments (e.g., microscopes).
• Coordinate service and repair of equipment as needed.
• Support training and implementation of new laboratory equipment.

Safety & Compliance:

• Uphold and enforce all laboratory safety protocols and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain safety documentation, including chemical inventories and Safety Data Sheets (SDS/MSDS).
• Ensure proper handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials.
• Maintain student safety records and ensure awareness of health considerations.
• Collaborate with Plant Operations and relevant staff to ensure compliance with all safety regulations.
• Promote a culture of safety in all lab environments.

Cleaning & Maintenance:

• Ensure laboratories and prep areas are clean, organized, and meet safety and hygiene standards.
• Oversee proper cleaning and maintenance of equipment and workspaces.

Communication & Collaboration

• Serve as a key point of contact between faculty, the lab manager, department leadership, and staff.
• Communicate regularly regarding lab needs, ordering timelines, and safety considerations.
• Coordinate across stakeholders to ensure high-quality lab experiences for students.

Continuous Improvement:

• Evaluate lab processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, organization, and safety.
• Ensure labs are consistently prepared to a high standard and aligned with instructional goals.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline (Biology, Chemistry, or related field) or equivalent experience in laboratory management.
• Experience managing or supporting academic science laboratories, preferably in a secondary school environment.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols, regulatory compliance, and chemical handling procedures; lab safety certification or willingness to obtain required training.
• Experience handling hazardous materials and preparing laboratory solutions, including strong acids, bases, and other regulated substances.
• Ability to manage, maintain, and troubleshoot scientific equipment, including coordinating maintenance and service.
• Experience with inventory management and procurement, including tracking supplies, managing stock levels (e.g., chemicals, glassware, classroom materials), and supporting budget-conscious purchasing.
• Experience working with budget systems and tracking departmental expenditures preferred.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel skills for data tracking, inventory, and reporting.
• Ability to work flexible hours as needed during peak periods of lab preparation and clean-up.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift, carry, and move materials, equipment, and supplies weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to use ladders or step stools to access, store, and move equipment.
• Ability to perform physical tasks such as frequent bending, lifting, and carrying of laboratory materials, chemicals, and equipment.

Work Environment:

• Work in laboratory environments with exposure to chemicals, biological materials, and laboratory equipment.

Application Process

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, current resume, and list of references with telephone numbers via the Employment Portal at https://www.charlottecountryday.org/employment. Review of materials and initial interviews will begin as applications are received. References will only be contacted for applicants that advance in the process.

This position will be open until filled.

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at CCDS will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. CCDS does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.