Lab Building Coordinator Assistant

Job Description:
Performs advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work for the DSHS Public Health Laboratory (PHLD) buildings. Works under the limited supervision of the Laboratory Building Operations Branch Manager with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Consults with both laboratory program and non-program staff to ensure the safe, secure, efficient and effective operation of laboratory buildings. Plans and coordinates building activities associated with the laboratory. Serves as lead worker for laboratory preventative maintenance program. Manages the accountability and disposition of inventoried laboratory property. Supports the creation of a Laboratory-wide safety culture by serving as a liaison to the Safety Office to ensure a healthy and safe workplace. Must be available before and after hours, holidays and weekends to respond to building emergencies. Performs other duties as assigned.
Essential Job Functions:
EJF 1. Performs advanced consultative services and technical assistance work. Works under the limited supervision of the PHLD Building Operations Branch Manager with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Consults with the laboratory building coordinator, laboratory staff, The Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) and contractors to ensure the safe, secure, efficient and effective operation of laboratory buildings and associated systems by performing warranty work, repairs or minor construction on the laboratory building. Submits repair, maintenance, warranty work on the building involving the laboratory staff and the organization performing the work via TFC portal requests. Analyzes the application of and variations within each of the laboratory areas and develops action plans to improve to avoid delays of laboratory testing. Provides high-level advice and counsel to laboratory management and staff by interpreting policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and standards related to the building and program. Ensures that maintenance or repairs by TFC and/or contractors do not interfere with laboratory operations. Consults and provides guidance to Laboratory staff daily on Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), electrical and plumbing problems, security issues, determining space requirements for new test equipment and reconfiguration of modular furniture. (25%)

EJF 2. Plans and coordinates activities with or in the absence of the laboratory building coordinator associated with the physical environmental and security conditions of the laboratory. Analyzes building conditions, collects and organizes data, proposes building management resources and prepares materials in response to requests for program information and reports setting forth progress, adverse trends and appropriate recommendations and conclusions; advises/reports to administrative officials regarding building conditions and utilization as affected by repair/maintenance/enhancement activities. Secures and coordinates related services such as housekeeping, heating-ventilation-air conditioning, structural and cosmetic repairs, and maintenance of safety features; with appropriate departments or outside organizations. Solicits proposals and/or bids from alternative service providers where appropriate and makes recommendations for optimal selection. Consults with Laboratory Building Operations Branch Manager, Laboratory Building Coordinator and Laboratory Management in analyzing and evaluating the budget and expenditure requests for PHLD building projects relative to funding from PHLD, TFC and legislative appropriation requests. Works closely with Lab Safety Officer and the Emergency Preparedness Branch Manager to implement emergency programs for the laboratory and to assure compliance with the NFPA Life Safety Code; ASHRAE (the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers); the BMBL (Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories), and with other federal, state and city regulations related to safety, environmental compliance, security and incident response. Provides support to the South Texas Laboratory as needed to support testing in the Harlingen South Texas Testing Laboratory. Supports the creation of a Laboratory-wide safety culture by serving as a liaison to the Safety Office to ensure a healthy and safe workplace. Must be available before and after hours, holidays and weekends to respond to building emergencies. (30%)

EJF 3. Serves as lead worker providing direction to Laboratory Maintenance Team regarding laboratory preventative maintenance and performance data to ensure compliance with program requirements. Ensures timely communication and approval by area staff of work performed prior to scheduling. Ensures all scheduled work for the laboratory building be communicated to all laboratory staff. Conducts training and provides guidance to laboratory maintenance staff in the development and integration of new or revised methods and procedures regarding the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Determines laboratory equipment trends and resolves operational problems efficiently and effectively. Performs specialized projects as requested by laboratory leadership or program as laboratory equipment changes due to technological advancements. (25%)

EJF 4. Manages the accountability and disposition of inventoried laboratory property. Works with the Asset Management Office to identify and inventory laboratory equipment. Arranges the removal and disposition of surplus, broken, or out dated equipment and furniture. Drafts changes in procedures for accountability of current and future laboratory equipment. (15%)

EJF 5. Other duties as assigned. Including but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. (5%) Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge and experience with the operation and maintenance of healthcare facilities, higher education facilities, or public health testing laboratories.
Knowledge of current Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) requirements.
Knowledge of building Life Safety requirements, HVAC and mechanical systems operations such as plumbing, deionized water, acid neutralization, chemical fume hoods and biological safety cabinets.
Knowledge of commercial building electrical systems and infrastructure.
Knowledge of air balance processes along with the ability to read/interpret Test & Balance reports along with fan & pump curves.
Knowledge of Texas Facilities Commission building maintenance policies and procedures. Knowledge of computers including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Power Point & Visio software along with Adobe Acrobat and Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD).
Knowledge of the National Environmental Balancing Bureau Standards along with the Associated Air Balance Council Standards.
Skill in organization, time management and planning.
Skills in problem solving and conflict resolution.
Excellent written communication skills.
Skill in analyzing complex information from multiple sources, researching, verifying and compiling into documents to support building needs for testing programs and/or as needed to correct building components or system failures.
Skill in reading/interpreting Test & Balance reports along with fan curves.
Skill in the successful management of construction projects as an owner’s agent or representative with both minor construction with a value of less than $50, to major construction projects with a value over $50,.
Strong work ethics and ethical approach to the management of risk liabilities.
Skill in Word Processing Software, Spread-sheets, Database, PDF, Computerized Maintenance Management Software, Computer Aided Design and Drafting & Report Writing.
Ability to document the progress of major construction projects to contract specifications, forcing resolution of non-conforming work, field installations & vendor coordination, managing environmental issues, regulatory compliance and reporting, plant management/HVAC, chilled & heating water systems, boilers, etc.), policy development, logistics planning, communicating and coordinating the dissemination of logistical information to employees and managing chaotic or emergency situations.
Ability to increase commitment in others, resolve technical difficulties, oversee projects to contract specifications, coordinate/schedule/communicate the installation of mission critical systems, their shutdown, repair, and start up.
Ability to apply as needed to understand, communicate problems with building airflows.
Ability to work independently and make technical decisions based on professional knowledge and experience.
Ability to read/interpret blueprint drawings, submittals, along with project specifications.
Ability to demonstrated leadership qualities.
Ability to implement effective customer service practices.
Ability to interact diplomatically with internal customers, purchasing, vendors and service representatives in the repair, and maintenance of medical and/or laboratory testing equipment.
Ability to communicate technical information in layman’s terms to an audience with broad range of understanding.
Ability to develop guidelines, policies and procedures.
Ability to develop effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, internal customers, vendors, contractors and representatives of TFC.
Ability to lead teams, establish goals and objectives and monitor employee progress.

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