Specialist: Laboratory - Biology/Microbiology

Specialist: Laboratory - Biology/Microbiology

Salary

$21.88 - $24.60 Hourly

Location

Northwest Campus - 7600 N Shannon Rd, Tucson, AZ

Job Type

Staff

Job Number

2026-HR-IR-H10932-00374

Department

MC-Science Division

Opening Date

09/21/2026

Closing Date

11/4/2026 5:00 PM Arizona

Grade

3

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Were excited you are considering a position with us. We welcome and celebrate the expansive experiences and contributions that all members of our campus community bring to the table, whether shaped by career history, academic study, or community engagement.

Were committed to a fair and transparent hiring process. For more information about working at Pima Community College, visit the Pima Careers page.

All employees are expected to live and work within the state of Arizona as a condition of employment. All selected candidates are subject to a successful completion of a background check.

The data we collect during the application process is used to evaluate your qualifications for the role youre applying for. All data is handled with strict confidentiality and in accordance with our privacy policy.

Position Summary

The Lab Specialist - Biology/Microbiology provides highly skilled technical support to faculty, students, and co-workers across multiple disciplines.

Key responsibilities include organizing, preparing, and breaking down biology/microbiology classroom experiments and related exercises. Oversee the upkeep of prep lab and classroom spaces. Maintains inventory of supplies, equipment, and other materials needed for the daily operations of the lab and assigned space. Trains lab technicians to assist in experiment preparation/breakdown and prep lab/classroom maintenance, and safety procedures. Completes assigned technical duties as a biology/microbiology laboratory specialist.

The work schedule for this position is variable and subject to change each semester or as operational needs arise, and may include evenings and/or weekends. While based at the Northwest Campus, specialists may occasionally be reassigned to other campuses as needed.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Creates instructions for how to prepare, set up, and break down experiments. Maintains experiment prep sheets, schedules, and inventories using the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Compiles and analyzes reports, statistics, and recommendations for laboratory experiments. Writes and maintains chemical and media recipes, including disposal of chemical and biochemical protocols
• Provides training to science lab staff on standard laboratory techniques and protocols as directed by the Science Laboratory Supervisor. Practices appropriate lab safety procedures and looks for ways to minimize lab hazards. Cross-trains in other Division of Sciences disciplines (astronomy, chemistry, engineering, geology, and physics)
• Responsible for biology/microbiology microorganism cultures
• In partnership with the Chemistry Lab Specialist, handles and reports on hazardous waste disposal in accordance with institutional and governmental guidelines and keeps SDS files up to date
• Participates and coordinates the preparation and cleanup of materials and equipment for lab experiments in Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Geology, Physics, Microbiology, and other assigned areas
• Assesses classroom needs and acquires material and equipment for classrooms. Purchase of materials/equipment as approved. Receives, verifies, and enters order information into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
• Collaborates with Science Faculty and Sciences Laboratory Supervisor to research, design, test, and refine classroom experiments while assessing the necessary materials and equipment
• Responsible for the operational readiness of the lab, through utilizing and maintaining specialized equipment to prepare experimental materials, providing technical support, and troubleshooting as necessary. Ensures safety, consistency, and compliance by developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and maintaining detailed equipment service logs
• Coordinates the cleaning and stocking of classrooms, prep areas, and the Learning Lab. Identifies and oversees the beginning-of-semester and end-of-semester tasks
• May provide lab supervision as delegated by the Laboratory Supervisor, including dayto-day direction of lab technicians and student workers activities and tasks when the Laboratory Supervisor is unavailable
• Actively participate in the Division of Sciences Laboratory Specialist Biology and Microbiology Working Groups
• Participates in professional development and continuing education to stay current with field advancements and safety standards
• Participates in community outreach events supported by the Division of Sciences
• Performs all other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor

Job Requirements/Qualifications

• Associate degree in a closely related field of study and
• One to three years of related experience in a science laboratory

or

• An equivalent combination of certification, education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in microbiology, molecular biology, or a closely related natural science field of study
• Three to five years of laboratory-related experience in an institution of higher learning

Additional Information:

This is an operational and technical support role - not a research or teaching position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Comprehensive understanding of standard biology and/or microbiology or molecular biology practices, instructional laboratory equipment, and safety protocols (BSL-1/BSL2)
• Applied knowledge of aseptic techniques, contamination control principles, nucleic degradation factors, and hazardous waste disposal regulations
• Demonstrates hands-on experience in core microbiological workflows (culturing, preparing bacterial smears, staining, and biochemical testing), and/or molecular techniques (DNA extraction, PCR, and gel electrophoresis)
• Proficiency in operating, calibrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting autoclaves, micropipettes, microscopes, pH meters, centrifuges, electrophoresis equipment, and spectrophotometers (e.g., Nanodrop)
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations governing science laboratory compliance and safety
• Knowledge of internal and external customer service principles and practices
• Skill in organizing daily laboratory tasks, assigning prep duties to laboratory technicians and student workers, and guiding the workflow execution to ensure quality and completion
• Skill in performing exact mathematical calculations required for reagents, buffers, and media
• Skill in diagnosing equipment malfunctions or laboratory protocol errors, analyzing root causes (such as low extraction yield or PCR inhibition), and identifying viable, effective solutions
• Skill in conveying technical instructions, safety guidelines, and laboratory preparation details clearly and effectively to faculty and laboratory staff
• Skill in consulting and communicating directly with supervisor and instructional faculty to confirm experimental requirements, review modification protocols, and align lab prep specifications prior to execution
• Ability to coordinate multi-section prep schedules, prioritize daily tasks, and manage multiple projects simultaneously to ensure instructional experiments and demos run on time
• Ability to function effectively both semi-independently to support daily laboratory operations, while working collaboratively within a team environment.

Physical Requirements:

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a non-traditional work environment with staff contact and frequent interruptions.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a nontraditional setting; to remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods of time; to frequently position self to perform duties; to move, transport, and/or position light to moderate (up to 20 pounds) amounts of weight; to operate office equipment including use of a computer keyboard; to operate various equipment required to perform duties; and to effectively communicate to exchange information. May be exposed to various hazardous conditions, such as infectious diseases, chemicals, or moving mechanical parts.

Vision: Ability to see in the normal, visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Ability to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

If you require assistance, or a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities, please do not hesitate to contact Pima Community College Human Resources.

Human Resources Contact Information:

• Phone: (520) 206-4624
• TTY: (520) 206-4530
• Email: hr@pima.edu

Pima Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals.

Comprehensive Benefits for a Meaningful Career

Pima Community College is proud to offer a robust benefits package that supports the health and well-being of our employees.

Full-time employees are eligible for a wide range of benefits, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Retirement plans and deferred compensation options

• Flexible spending accounts

• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage

• Generous paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave

Temporary employees who work twenty (20) or more hours per week for more than nineteen (19) weeks in a fiscal year are required to participate in one of the following retirement plans: Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) or the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP).

To explore the full range of benefits and plan options, please visit our Benefits Page

01

Did you graduate from high school or receive a GED Certificate?

• Yes
• No

02

This position does not provide sponsorship for an employment visa. Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for an employment visa?

• Yes
• No

03

You must be 18 years or older to apply for this position. Are you at least 18 years of age?

• Yes
• No

04

All employees are expected to live and work within the state of Arizona as a condition of employment. Do you currently reside in or plan to relocate to Arizona?

• Yes
• No

05

Some questions in this section are used to evaluate eligibility and determine whether an applicant meets the minimum qualifications for the position. Your responses should be accurate and complete. These questions are intended to assess job-related qualifications.

• Yes, I understand
• No, I would like to withdraw my application from this process

06

Please select your highest level of education.

• High School Diploma or GED
• Relevant Certificates or Vocational Degree
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Terminal or Doctoral Degree

07

How many years of experience do you have maintaining the inventory of supplies, equipment, and other materials needed for a labs daily operations?

• Less than 1 year
• 1-3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5-7 years
• 7-9 years
• 10+ years

08

Describe a project or major lab prep where you had to work semi-independently while staying closely aligned with the department's overall schedule and team. Be specific with your answer.

09

How do you handle a situation where two faculty members teaching different sections of the same course have conflicting requests for how a lab experiment should be set up? Be specific with your answer.

10

If youre the Biology/Microbiology Lab Specialist, how do you handle being told you need to spend the afternoon sorting mineral samples or covering for the Physics/Engineering Specialist who is out on annual leave?

Required Question

Employer Pima Community College District (AZ)

Address 4905 East Broadway Blvd.

Building D, Room 102

Tucson, Arizona, 85709-1180

Phone (520) 206-4624

(520)206-4500

Website https://pima.edu/pima-jobs/contact-us.html