Snail Extinction Prevention Program Laboratory Technician

Job Description

Snail Extinction Prevention Program Laboratory Technician

ID226209

Project Name

PBRC

Posted Date04/09/2026

Closing Date04/12/2026

FTE100.0%

Compensation$3597.00-$4200.00/Month

StateHawaii

IslandOahu

Job Summary

CLOSING DATE: April 12, 2026, or until filled. Job postings are removed from the RCUH Job Openings site once the recruitment process has ended.

Regular, Full-Time, RCUH Non-Civil Service position with the Center for Conservation Research and Training (CCRT), located at the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), Snail Extinction Prevention Program (SEPP), in Pearl City, Hawaii. Continuation of employment is dependent upon program/operational needs, satisfactory work performance, availability of funds, and compliance with applicable Federal/State laws.

MONTHLY SALARY RANGE: $3,597 - $4,200/Mon.

DUTIES: Assists the Snail Extinction Prevention Program (SEPP) Coordinator and SEPP Senior Lab Technician in the Captive Rearing Laboratory. Attends to captive populations of rare snails. Regular maintenance of populations includes: cleaning and disinfecting snail terraria, providing fresh leafy vegetation and cultured fungus to terraria, cleaning and disinfecting environmental chambers, lab benches, and other equipment. Reports to Senior Lab Technician any questionable functionality of equipment and low levels of lab supplies. Isolates and cultures fungus from native snail host trees used to supplement the diet of tree snails. Culturing native tree fungus requires working under a laminar flow hood, and using sterile techniques to transfer and grow fungus on sterile agar plates. Coordinates with Senior Lab Technician to ensure lab coverage. Assists with training new staff, student assistants, and interns, as well as staff from partner entities. Assists in entering data (e.g., births, deaths, amount of fungus eaten, temperature, humidity) into the laboratory database on a weekly basis. Assists in preparing annual endangered species permit reports, including making figures and writing narratives. Assists with compiling census data from other institutions participating in captive propagation of Hawaiian snails. Assists with maintaining the building and surrounding yard. Assists with education and outreach efforts, and with growing native plants to use in snail terraria. Drives vehicles or rides helicopters to various field sites, and assists SEPP staff with fieldwork as needed, or as laboratory duties allow. Fieldwork includes: surveying for rare snails across the Hawaiian Islands, collecting individuals for captive propagation, reintroducing individuals from captive propagation to the wild, assisting with in situ predator control, predator exclusion efforts, and monitoring populations. Hikes to forested areas and collects vegetation from common native snail host plants to provide both substrate for tree snails and a food source for rare native ground snails.

PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Associate's Degree from an accredited community college in Biological Sciences or a related field (e.g., Biology, Malacology, Zoology, Ecology, Botany, Natural Resource Management, Conservation, or Environmental Sciences).

EXPERIENCE: Three to five (3-5) years of experience working with scientific equipment for research and monitoring purposes in a research or diagnostic laboratory or in a natural resources management position. (Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university in Biology, Malacology, Zoology, Ecology, Botany, Natural Resource Management, Conservation or Environmental Sciences or related field, may substitute for two (2) years of experience.)

KNOWLEDGE: Sound knowledge of general laboratory techniques including: sterile technique, pipetting, weighing, glassware washing, reagent preparation and sterilizing. Sound knowledge of microbiology techniques including: isolation and maintenance of microorganisms, media preparation, plate pouring, microscopy. Sound knowledge of general laboratory hygiene.

ABILITIES & SKILLS: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Must have excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to troubleshoot. Experience working with Microsoft Office specifically Excel, Word, and Access. Must possess a valid driver's license (and if use of personal vehicle on the job is required, must also have valid personal driver's insurance equivalent to Hawaii's No-Fault Driver's Insurance) and maintain throughout the duration of employment. Post Offer/Employment Conditions: Must possess the American Red Cross Certification in First Aid/CPR (or be able to obtain and maintain the certificate following the training provided within three (3) months from date of hire and maintain throughout duration of employment). Must be able to complete basic helicopter safety course within six (6) months from date of hire. Must complete the online Hazard Communication training immediately after hire or no later than employee's initial exposure to hazardous chemicals. Must be able to complete the UH Title IX training within 30 days from date of hire, and re-certify annually. Must be able to complete the Workplace Violence Prevention training within 30 days from date of hire, and re-certify annually. Must be able to complete the UH Information Security Awareness Training (ISAT) within two (2) weeks from date of hire, and re-certify every twelve (12) months.

PHYSICAL/MEDICAL DEMANDS: Ability to hike and camp in remote areas and rugged terrain under inclement weather conditions, for up to three (3) consecutive days. Ability to lift, carry, and hike for up to ten (10) miles in mountainous conditions with a backpack weighing up to forty (40) pounds unassisted. Ability to conduct fieldwork in remote locations and rugged terrain.

POLICY/REGULATORY REQUIREMENT: As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to all applicable RCUH policies, procedures, and trainings and, as applicable, subject to University of Hawaii's and/or business entity's policies, procedures, and trainings. Violation of RCUH's, UH's, or business entity's policies and/or procedures or applicable State or Federal laws and/or regulations may lead to disciplinary action (including, but not limited to possible termination of employment, personal fines, civil and/or criminal penalties, etc.).

SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS:

Working knowledge of rearing plants or animals in a laboratory setting. Working knowledge of Hawaiian ecosystems or with Hawaiian endemic plant and animal species.

INQUIRIES: David Sischo ... (Oahu).

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Please go to You must submit the following documents online to be considered for the position: 1) Cover Letter, 2) Resume, 3) List of Professional References, 4) Copy of Degree(s)/Unofficial or Official Transcript(s)/Certificate(s). All online applications must be submitted/received by the closing date (11:59 P.M. Hawaii Standard Time/RCUH receipt time) as stated on the job posting. If you do not have access to our system and the closing date is imminent, please send additional documents to .... If you have questions on the application process and/or need assistance, please call ... or .... Please visit for more information on RCUH's Benefits for eligible employees.

RCUH's mission is to support and enhance research, development and training in Hawaii, with a focus on the University of Hawaii.

RCUH is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, marital status, reproductive health decision, citizenship, gender identity or expression, domestic or sexual violence victim status, military/veteran status, or other grounds protected under applicable federal and state laws, except as permitted by law.