Biology Lab Coordinator / College Laboratory Assistant 2

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; White Bear Lake (MN); On-site; USD 31,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and Century College in White Bear Lake seek a Biology Lab Coordinator / College Laboratory Assistant 2 to support biology lab instruction. You will assist faculty, prepare lab materials, and manage space and safety for all biology labs.

With a team of lab assistants and student workers, you will oversee inventory, hazardous waste handling, purchasing, and ensuring OSHA compliance, enabling smooth daily lab operations during the academic year.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Biology or closely related field.
• Background coursework and lab skills in Microbiology.
• Equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepare biology lab materials and set up lab equipment for class activities.
• Supervise storage and inventory of biology lab materials and equipment.
• Manage hazardous waste for biology labs and coordinate with campus safety.
• Coordinate purchasing and inventory of lab supplies with faculty.
• Ensure OSHA standards in the lab and address safety deficiencies.
• Train and supervise student workers and sign timesheets.

Skills

Microbiology lab skills

Education

Associate Degree in Biology

One year background coursework and lab skills in Microbiology

Equivalent combination of education and work experience

Job description

• Telework Eligible: No
• Working Title: Biology Lab Coordinator / College Laboratory Assistant 2
• Job Class: College Laboratory Assistant 2
• Agency: Minnesota State
• Job ID: 97747
• Location: White Bear Lake
• Telework Eligible: No
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Seasonal - A seasonal position is an unlimited position that works from mid-August through mid-May of each academic year.
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 10/15/2026
• Closing Date: 10/26/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Minnesota State / Century College
• Division/Unit: MnSCU Century Lakewood CC / MnSCU Century CTC Class/1
• Appointment Type: Seasonal Academic Year (Classified/Unclassified MAPE/MMA), Full-time
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Days / 6:30am - 3:00pm
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $22.27 - $31.12 / hourly
• Job Class Option: Biological Sciences
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 207 - Technical/AFSCME
• Work Area: Academic Affairs
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well‑being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Position Purpose

With limited supervision and working with a team of lab assistants, this position primarily coordinates with the biology faculty within the science department to manage instructional preparation for all biology labs. This position also oversees the safe management of lab space, supplies, and biological hazardous waste for all biology labs.

Position Responsibilities

• Support biology faculty lab instruction by completing all activities to prepare lab class materials in order that students can perform lab work. This includes the physical layout / set up of biology lab equipment, materials, and preparation of reagents. Maintain order in the biology lab work areas and clean as specified. Coordinate with other biology lab assistants and student workers to provide support for all biology lab classes.
• Supervise the orderly storage and inventory of biology lab materials, including models, bacterial and animal tissue cultures, live and preserved specimens, glassware, kits, and biological equipment. Follow individual lab set‑up directions received each semester from biology faculty. Prepare and maintain microbiological and tissue cultures according to standard operating procedures. Maintain live animal, plant, bacterial and tissue specimens as needed.
• Manage biological and chemical hazardous waste for biology labs. Oversee storage and removal of hazardous waste, including inventory of all wastes and coordinating with campus public safety personnel.
• Coordinate purchasing of lab materials with other team members and the biology faculty. Inventory supplies and follow proper purchasing procedures, including but not limited to: ordering, receiving, unpacking, storing and updating inventory of lab materials, and saving required compliance materials such as packing slips, order forms, and MSDS sheets.
• Ensure adequate OSHA standards in the lab so that accidents are minimized, including notifying biology instructors of any deficiencies. Take appropriate action in the event of an accident. Promptly repair or replace damaged or worn out equipment, or report such needs to the proper authority on campus.
• Train and supervise student workers so that their duties are satisfactorily completed. Schedule hours and sign timesheets.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate Degree in Biology; AND
• One year background coursework and lab skills in Microbiology, including but not limited to culturing microbes, microbial identification (including testing), culturing animal cells, and aseptic technique, OR
• An equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Post-secondary coursework in microbiology or a related field such as cell biology.
• Knowledge of Minnesota State’s, State, and Century College policies and procedures, including OSHA lab safety standards and hazardous waste disposal.
• Experience maintaining biology lab equipment such as incubators, centrifuges, and PCR machines.
• Experience in supply inventory and ordering.
• The applicant (the employee) should demonstrate knowledge of and an interest in diverse cultures and populations.

Minnesota State does not authorize the use of E-Verify for employment purposes, and Century is unable to consider candidates who require employment sponsorship, as the associated costs are prohibitive for the college.

About Minnesota State

Minnesota State is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing talented employees who serve our 340,000+ students each year throughout the state. We have a vibrant and diverse system of 33 colleges and universities with 15,300+ dedicated faculty and staff focused on student success.

Century College is a 2-year community and technical college in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.

As one of the largest two-year colleges in Minnesota, we serve over 18,000 credit and non-credit students every year.

We offer degrees, diplomas, certificates, and courses in general education and transfer, business, human services, health sciences, technology, engineering, applied design, industrial, and non-credit workforce training.

With various student support and student life opportunities, including athletics, student clubs and organizations, campus theatre, Multicultural Center, LGBTQ Center, Veterans Center, and much more, Century College provides a welcoming and vibrant campus community.

As a “community” college, we care about our locality. We are engaged, connected, and a resource within our local communities, including K-12 and workforce/industry partners.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax‑free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well‑being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well‑being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies

based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

Other Information

Employment information for this position can be found in its collective bargaining agreement or its plan document at http://mn.gov/mmb/employee-relations/labor-relations/Labor/.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State is an equal opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.