Location: Sewanee,TN, USA
Primary Function:
To perform a range of duties that aid the faculty in E&ES in the teaching of their lecture classes and especially their labs, and to perform other tasks that facilitate the smooth and regular operation of the department, such as budget accounting, equipment purchases, maintaining departmental social media accounts, etc.
This position receives general supervision. Broad instructions are provided and the staff member uses judgment and experience to carry out assignments. Completed assignments and finished products are reviewed by the supervisor after completion.
Position Appointment Details:
* Career Band: NE10
* Non-Exempt, Hourly
* Full-Time, 9-month position
Typical Duties & Responsibilities:
Assist in setting up and maintaining department labs and lab equipment, and keeping their proper security, with equal emphasis on all labs in the department:
l. Maintain, troubleshoot, organize, store, and repair (or have repaired as necessary) lab and office equipment. Such equipment ranges from complex mechanical/electronic equipment (drying ovens, DI water systems, pH meters, conductivity meters, copiers, etc.) to more basic items such as camping gear, field measurement tools, and misc. furniture.
2. Help to prepare, set out, clean, and/or put away equipment for Forestry and Geology field trips and laboratory/field activities, pick up field trip food supplies, drive University vans, and/or otherwise assist with lab activities.
3. Assist with general department chores, including clean-up of classrooms and labs (glassware, sample collections, equipment, etc) and maintaining Snowden bulletin boards, display cases, and electronic displays.
4. Assist with the supervision of the work-study students, scheduling their hours, and working with them as needed to accomplish tasks for faculty in the department.
5. Generally assist the chair and other faculty in Forestry and Geology and Sustainability by ordering supplies or equipment, performing clerical or budget-related work, and helping with the logistics associated with department-sponsored events such as guest speakers, meetings, and receptions at homecoming, family weekend and graduation.
6. Assist students in setting up and maintaining their class or research projects, including work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Software and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) mapping.
7. Maintain an active departmental social media presence by posting information provided by faculty (on Facebook, Instagram, etc.).
8. Help E&ES faculty monitor and maintain important outdoor research and/or teaching sites.
Judgment Required:
Judgment and discretion as to the use of established policies are required to perform the essential duties of this position.
Budgetary Responsibility:
Monitors expenditures against budget; prepares budget data for review/approval by supervisor/department head.
Machines & Equipment Used:
Large variety of lab and field equipment used in forestry, geology and environmental science.
Student Contact: Work study students, majors in the department.
Internal: Operations Committee, Faculty, Administrative department heads
External: Regents & Trustees, government officials or agencies, visitors, parents, other institutions, colleges, or companies, suppliers
Education:
Bachelor's degree, preferably in forestry, geology, natural resources, or other environmental science, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with one to three year of laboratory experience.
Job-Related Skills:
* Familiarity with computers, software, and equipment typical of forestry, geology, or environmental work.
* Basic competence with ArcGIS software preferred, willingness to learn required.
* Mechanically inclined, with the ability to use common hand tools and/or power tools, and able to lift 40 lbs.
* Ability to work independently and apply judgment and discretion in troubleshooting problems with equipment.
* Ability to discern when to get supervisors' advice, and when to tackle problems unassisted.
* Must have a good attitude and polite behavior, and be a diligent and hard worker.
Licenses/Certifications:
Possession of a valid Tennessee driver's license and the ability to drive University vehicles, including vans.
Physical Requirements:
* Must be able to stand for extended periods of time
* Must be able to navigate steep and rough terrain
* Must be able to lift between 21-50 pounds (Medium work)
* Must be able to carry between 21-50 pounds (Medium work)
Any additional requirements specific to this position:
The University of the South, commonly known as Sewanee, comprises a nationally ranked residential College of Arts and Sciences and a School of Theology. The University is strongly committed to the values of intellectual inquiry, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and living and serving in community. Situated on 13,000 acres atop Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau, Sewanee is known for its stunning natural beauty while providing easy access to Chattanooga, Nashville, and Huntsville. The University is affiliated with the Episcopal Church and seeks to help employees of all backgrounds and identities flourish.
DEI Institutional Statement:
At the University of the South, our commitment to inclusion and belonging is grounded in our core values of community, courage, flourishing, and inquiry. We seek to build a community enriched by our diversity and centered on equity, justice, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of the South is an equal-opportunity educational institution that is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive campus environment.