Laboratory Technician

We’re Hiring!

 Laboratory Technician

Location of Position: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, California 

Reports to: Clinical Laboratory Senior Manager

Position Classification & Expected Hours of Work, and Travel:

• This is a temporary, non-exempt, full-time position, approximately August 2025 – February 2026.
• Regular onsite work is required.
• Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
• Occasional travel to satellite facilities and/or fieldwork within California may be expected for this position.

Compensation Range: $28.00 - $29.00/hr.

Benefits:

• Holidays
• Sick Time
• Vacation
• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
  

Job Summary: 

The Laboratory Technician will undertake various laboratory procedures of a technical nature, including handling sensitive equipment to perform tests on biological specimens. They will help optimize laboratory procedures and produce reliable results that will be used in marine mammal care, treatment, and research.

Essential Functions:

Clinical Lab: 65%

• Quality Control and Assurance (QC/QA) checks of clinical laboratory analyzers.
• Operates clinical laboratory equipment, including, but not limited to hematology and serum biochemistry analyzers.
• Performs urinalysis dipstick and urine specific gravity.
• Stains cytology and blood smears.
• Performs gram stains for microbiologic organisms.
• Prepares parasitology samples.
• Tracks specimens in database in accordance with standards set forth within the organization.
• Prepares and extracts samples for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
• Assists in shipping samples for external diagnostic testing.

Histology: 20%

• Trims histology samples from necropsy cases.
• Assists in archiving slides, paraffin blocks, and formalin fixed tissues.
• Assists in shipping samples for histology.
• Assists in disposal of formalin and formalin fixes tissues.
• Inputs data into database in accordance with standards set forth within the program.

Biobank: 10%

• Assists with inventorying and archiving of the Center’s extensive biosample freezers.
• Accesses archived biosamples for various research projects.
• Inputs data into database in accordance with standards set forth within the program.

Other Duties as Assigned: 5%

• Represent and promote the Center through donor cultivation participation with the department as opportunities arise.
• Perform special projects and research as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  

Other Duties as Assigned: 10%

• Perform special projects and research as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility:

None.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Passion for marine and environmental conservation and the mission of The Marine Mammal Center.
• Basic knowledge of methods and techniques of laboratory procedures.
• Knowledge of observational skills for laboratory procedures.
• Knowledge of basic principles of mammalian anatomy and physiology.
• Ability to operate equipment safely and competently to carry out their duties.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions and priorities as set by management.
• Ability to work collaboratively and maintain open communication in a team environment.
• Ability to adapt and learn from change, challenges, and feedback.
• Basic organizational skills including attention to detail, multi-tasking, and time-management.
• Skills operating Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Word) and videoconference technology (Slack, Teams, Zoom).
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, which includes staff, volunteers, training participants, and members of the public.
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with people across cultures, ethnic groups, and identities.
• Ability to practice self-awareness and respect while engaging with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Willingness to support and participate in The Marine Mammal Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
  

Qualifications and Experience:

• This position requires a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in biological or medical laboratory science or related field; and 2 years’ experience in a laboratory setting, which can include time spent in a laboratory setting during classes or internships.
• Respirator Fit Test required which will be provided upon hire and ongoing as necessary.
• Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain standards of insurability. (Must be 21+ years old as frequently driving company vehicles is required for this position.)

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• This position requires work in a necropsy and laboratory environment, which requires use of sharp objects, working around mechanical parts, working with or near known or unknown toxic or caustic chemicals and/or biological hazards, exposure to fumes and airborne particles, and working with strong odors associated with animals and carcasses.
• This position requires work in an environment that involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials or chemicals and situations that require extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment and completion of training procedures.
• Routinely uses laboratory equipment such as Biochemistry analyzer and a Hematology analyzer, as well as centrifuges, scales, homogenizers and pipettes.
• This position operates in a professional office, laboratory, and hospital environment both indoors and outdoors with access to other parts of the facilities via outdoor pathways.
• Working in outdoor weather conditions and elements may be required for field necropsies.
• Routinely uses standard office equipment requiring repetitive motion.
• Ability to work at a desk for extended periods of time using a computer.
• Ability to drive/operate a vehicle for extensive periods of time, this includes operating large trucks to assist with transporting animals between sites.
• Ability to perform physical work requiring manual dexterity, agility, strength, and coordination including ability to move up to 50 pounds (22kg).
• Ability to crouch down and work with large carcasses.
• Ability to spend extended periods on your feet, walking, and climbing stairs (potentially in inclement weather conditions).
• Exposure and working with laboratory chemicals, including formalin.
• Exposure to sharp instruments and needles.
• Exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases, including exposure through biosamples.
• Involves strong smells associated with dead animals (carcasses) and the care of live animals.

ABOUT THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER

The Marine Mammal Center is leading the field in ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue, veterinary medicine, science, and education. 

OUR MISSION

The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

The Marine Mammal Center actively engages individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment.  We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. The Marine Mammal Center believes in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. We believe that a healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We believe in stretch versus constraint.

For more information, please visit our “About Us” page at www.marinemammalcenter.org

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume and provide a brief description about how your experience aligns with the role.

Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

In your cover letter, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc).

We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.