Department of Human Resources
OPSEU Job Description
Job Title:
Job Number:
NOC:
Band:
Department:
Supervisor Title:
Demonstrator/Technician
SS-042
4012
7
Biology
Chair, Biology
Last Reviewed:
January 2nd, 2001
Job Purpose
Assist in the delivery of academic services in the Biology Department by providing primary
technical support for Plants courses and ecology-based courses laboratories and field modules,
preparing laboratory manuals, assignments, and handouts, and supervising and coordinating
Teaching Assistants.
Key Activities
1. Provides primary technical support for selected Biology undergraduate labs, as
designated by the Chair of Biology. Meets with course instructors before courses begin
to agree upon contributions that will be made to each course.
2. Contributes to the upkeep, repair and organization of Biology equipment and facilities.
3. Responsible for preparation, organization, set-up and tear down for laboratory and field
exercises in Biology undergraduate courses that may include, but are not necessarily
limited to BIOL – ERSC 2260H (Introductory Ecology) , BIOL 3050H (Limnology), BIOL
3170H (Plants and their Ancestors), BIOL 3180H (Plants in Action), BIOL 3190H (Wild
Plants of Ontario), BIOL 3340H ( Herpetology), BIOL – ERSC 3380H (Advanced Ecology),
BIOL 3620H (Population Genetics). Attends, demonstrates and provides student
supervision in field sessions in undergraduate courses. Transports students in
departmental van to and from field lab venues.
4. Co-ordinates and trains Graduate Teaching Assistants and Academic Assistants in
assigned courses.
5. Provides feedback on laboratory and field exercise effectiveness, logistics, etc. to course
Instructors.
6. Tracks teaching supply inventory for assigned courses.
7. Maintains records of assignment submission, allocates marking to Markers, receives
assignments for return to students, and keeps records of assignment and other marks in
assigned courses. Maintains academic records and communication tools, including
Blackboard.
Job Number: SS-042
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Last updated: October 7, 2014
8. Prepares solutions, supplies, analytical equipment, and computer equipment
for designated undergraduate courses
9. Oversees implementation of Health and Safety regulations in designated laboratory and
field courses. Performs health and safety checks in teaching labs (e.g. eyewash stations,
first aid kits, etc.).
10. Contributes to upkeep, repair and organization of Biology equipment and facilities (e.g.
autoclave and dishwasher in prep room, pH meters, centrifuges, microscopes,
greenhouse, environmental chambers, van, boats, motors, trailers, sampling
equipment), including maintenance and repair, as well as loans of these items to
students.
11. In co-operation with other instructors, contributes to the development of lab manuals,
handouts, assignments and electronic instructional materials
12. Curate Department's herbarium and animal collections by identifying, cataloguing,
preserving, and protecting specimens
13. Invigilates undergraduate exams.
14. Participates in outreach and liaison efforts in the department.
15. Participates in any internal or external committees as agreed upon with Biology Chair.
16. Performs other duties in the Department, as required.
Analytical Reasoning
Indicate degree of complexity or difficulty of thinking and reasoning required by the job. Provide a
relevant work example that is typical of roles and responsibilities of the job (i.e. not an occasional duty).
Decision Making
Indicate the degree of freedom to exercise initiative or act independently in making day- to-day decisions.
Provide a relevant work example that is typical of roles and responsibilities of the job (i.e. not an
occasional duty).
Impact
Indicate the impact or consequence to the department or University of typical actions or decisions taken by
the job incumbent. Provide a relevant work example that is typical of roles and responsibilities of the job
(i.e. not an occasional duty).
Education
MSc in Biology or related discipline.
Experience Required
-
The equivalent of two years’ experience as a laboratory technician or demonstrator
Plant taxonomy and general ecology laboratory and field experience
Strong classification and identification skills.
Valid First Aid Certificate or willingness to obtain one.
Job Number: SS-042
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Proficient in the use of computer applications such as intermediate level word
processing (MS Word) and spreadsheets (Excel), ARCGIS (Ecology classes), R, ACCESS,
Adobe Contribute, Adobe Photoshop, and various audio and visual programs and
inventory tracking.
Valid Ontario Driver’s License – Class ‘G’ minimum.
Demonstrated skills in, and commitment to, customer service and continuous
improvement.
Responsibility for the Work of Others
Indirect Responsibility for the Work of Others:
 Teaching Assistants
 Academic Assistants
Communication
Internal:
- Students: Teach and explain course material and evaluations.
- Demonstrators (within and outside department): Develop course material.
- Technicians: Troubleshoot, repair, and replace equipment. Discuss and arrange
equipment sharing.
- Staff, Faculty, and other Instructors: Answer queries about course content, Trent policy,
and technical issues.
- Faculty: Provide Department administration and service.
- Teaching Assistants: Explain assignments and troubleshoot problem situations.
- Liaison Office on recruitment and science facility tours
- Graduate students and research assistants: instruction on equipment usage and
administration.
- Physical Resources: Identify, clarify, and arrange repairs and new projects.
External:
- Suppliers: gather information and order equipment
- Technical Staff from other Universities
- Trent Community: act as a resource
- High School teachers: act as a resource
- Trent Enrichment and science camp.
- Primary School teachers: project assistance, lectures, demonstrations.
- Parents and prospective students: act as a resource in recruitment efforts
Motor/ Sensory Skills
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Fine Motor Skills - manipulating equipment and measuring devices, keyboarding and
data entry
Dexterity - precision in manipulating equipment and measuring devices
Hearing - responding to student and faculty queries
Sight - reading reports, precision in manipulating equipment and measuring devices
Touch - precision in manipulating equipment and measuring devices
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Effort
Mental:
 Sustained concentration - marking assignments, reading new material, analyzing
problems, using software and working with analytical equipment
Physical:
 Standing, Walking - administering labs
 Lifting - Moving equipment and rearranging labs/classrooms.
Working Conditions
Physical:
 Injury - Operation of dangerous equipment
 Repetitive strain - data entry
 Injury - Exposure to dangerous materials
 Poor lighting and noise conditions
Psychological:
 Complaints - Complaints from faculty and students
 Conflicting work priorities and deadlines - labs, manuals, assignments
 Angry students upset with grades - Handling of student appeals
 Interruptions - Interruptions from students
 Lack of control over pace of work - academic term “end rush”
 Multiple competing demands - instructing in several courses.
 Variable work schedule
Job Description Approved by Human Resources (as per Article 17.1):
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Signatures - indicating that the job description has been read and understood:
Incumbent
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Immediate Supervisor:
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Department Head/ Dean:
Job Number: SS-042
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Last updated: October 7, 2014
Name (print):
Signature:
Job Number: SS-042
Date:
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Last updated: October 7, 2014