SUPERVISING LABORATORY SERVICE WORKER

Code: 01936 State Competitive Range: S16 (FY 2027) Work week NE: FLSA coveredOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $53,281.62 - $77,370.62/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under the direction of a supervisory officer in the State Department, institution or agency, performs and supervises the operation, maintenance and cleaning of various types of complex laboratory equipment: preparing media and reagents, handling specimens, supplies and equipment and/or caring for laboratory animals; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Supervises and assists in the operation of complex laboratory equipment.
• Supervises and assists in the sterilization of laboratory equipment and supplies.
• Supervises and assists in the cleaning and maintenance of laboratory machines and equipment of varied types, including: automatic autoclaves, automatic pipettes plugging and unplugging machines, turbomatic washing machines, electronic dryers, large ovens, automatic liquid filling machines, automatic bottle capping equipment, industrial labeling machines, high vacuum autoclaves, and cage washers.
• Supervises and assists in the carrying of various sized packages of supplies and equipment throughout the laboratory areas.
• Monitors the ordering and processing of supply orders as required.
• Supervises and assists in the proper inspection of glassware and other materials and equipment for breakage, cleanliness and fitness for use.
• Supervises and assists in the preparation and sterilization of sample and complex media for laboratory use through the operation of automatic bench top sterilizer and formatic system.
• If required, supervises and assists in the care of laboratory animal cases and in the maintenance of animal rooms.
• Supervises and assists in the disposal of laboratory wastes in accordance with established sanitary procedures.
• Assist with administrative reports, surveys, budget preparation.
• Maintains essential records and files as required.
• Supervises the work operation and has responsibility for employee evaluation and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.

Experience

Five (5) years of experience in a laboratory including but not limited to the weighing, mixing and dispensing of simple and complex media for laboratory use, the operation of laboratory equipment and sterilization, and/or the care of laboratory animals, and maintenance or related cleaning services.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Thorough knowledge of and familiarity with the laboratory equipment commonly used in a complex, modern laboratory.
• Thorough knowledge of the types of animals commonly used in a laboratory and their proper care.
• Thorough knowledge of and familiarity with mechanical laboratory equipment operated manually or by steam, electricity, water and/or air.
• Thorough knowledge of the general and special safety precautions to be observed in a laboratory.
• Thorough knowledge as to the formulation of simple and complex media and to the procedures required for their preparation.
• Ability to understand, remember and carry out oral and written directions and to learn quickly from demonstrations and oral and written instruction.
• Ability to instruct and supervise subordinate laboratory service workers in the proper operation and maintenance of complex laboratory equipment.
• Ability to instruct and supervise subordinate laboratory service worker in the proper care of laboratory animals and their quarters.
• Ability to instruct and supervise the formulation and processing of simple and complex media.
• Ability to instruct and supervise safety and sanitary precautions to be taken in laboratory work.
• Ability to convince subordinate laboratory service workers of the need to take plains and to be consistently careful in cleaning, sterilizing and handling laboratory equipment.
• Ability to work harmoniously with associated and others.
• Ability to supervise and assist in the lifting and carrying of bulky and heavy packages of laboratory supplies, material and equipment.
• Ability to instruct in and supervise the compliance with safety procedures in the laboratory according to established methods.
• Ability to instruct and supervise subordinate laboratory service workers in all assigned areas of endeavor.
• Ability to evaluate the propensity of subordinate laboratory service workers and to delegate the direction of unit operations accordingly.
• Ability to prepare factual reports.
• Ability to maintain essential records and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.