Physical Science Assistant Series

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Employees in this series perform technical duties that support research or instructional programs in the physical sciences.

DESCRIPTIONS OF LEVELS OF WORK

Employees at this level prepare, operate, maintain, and repair equipment or materials used routinely in research or instructional projects undertaken in the physical sciences. They work under general supervision from a designated supervisor.

A(n) Physical Science Staff Assistant typically -

1. sets up experiments, demonstrations, displays, or equipment;
2. prepares materials for use in the laboratory or in classroom instruction;
3. makes routine measurements of the physical characteristics of materials being studied;
4. records data;
5. classifies or catalogs specimens and other materials;
6. plots and draws graphs from prescribed calculations and available data;
7. performs specified arithmetic computations that may involve formulas, using standard conversion and reference tables;
8. solves routine technical problems on the basis of previous experience;
9. operates and maintains laboratory equipment, machinery, instruments, or displays;
10. fabricates and repairs simple laboratory equipment, instruments, or displays;
11. maintains laboratory area in a clean and orderly condition;
12. maintains laboratory files, collections, or reference library as required;
13. assists in the management of laboratory’s stock of equipment, supplies, and other materials;
14. performs other related duties as assigned.

Employees at this level assist in the planning, design, development, and implementation of scientific procedures, equipment, or materials related to research or instructional projects undertaken in the physical sciences. They work under direction from a designated supervisor.

A(n) Physical Science Technical Assistant typically -

1. assists in the development of new methodologies and adapts new procedures to scientific problems;
2. assists in the design, development, construction, and demonstration of specialized equipment or materials;
3. performs or is responsible for the performance of complex laboratory tests or experiments in the physical sciences;
4. classifies or catalogs specimens and other materials;
5. provides sketches or simple drawings used in the construction of new equipment;
6. secures, records, and tabulates data;
7. manages the laboratory’s stock of equipment, supplies, and other materials, recommending the purchase of items to a superior and requisitioning approved items;
8. maintains, adjusts, or repairs laboratory equipment or is responsible for the performance of these duties;
9. maintains or supervises the maintenance of the laboratory’s files, collections, or reference library;
10. trains and supervises laboratory workers of lower rank;
11. participates in staff conferences or planning sessions;
12. performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. One (1) year (12 months) of experience in physical science laboratory techniques and/or field work (specific physical science to be determined by the requirements of the position to be filled).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

1. Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
2. Ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. Any one or any combination totaling three (3) years (36 months) from the following categories:
   1. college course work in physics, chemistry, geology, or a closely related field to the position as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent (specific physical science to be determined by the requirements of the position to be filled):
      • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
      • Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
      • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
      • Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
   2. work experience in physical science laboratory techniques and/or field work (specific physical science to be determined by the requirements of the position to be filled).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

1. Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
2. Ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.