Job Details

Berkeley Lab's (LBNL) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) has an opening for a Material Handler 3 (OPEN TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY) to join their Lab Operations Team!

In this exciting role, you will handle and maintain the flow of materials, parts, supplies, and equipment. This includes performing shipping, receiving, storage and distribution tasks for a wide variety of materials. Reporting to the JGI Business Manager, this position involves operating a variety of equipment, including forklifts, hand tools, and related devices utilized in a warehouse environment. The role involves identifying and implementing solutions to problems associated with product availability, delivery, receipt, storage, and disposal. You will handle materials stored at various temperatures (including -20C, -80C, 4-8C). This role requires you to frequently interact with both internal and external customers to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of materials. You will serve as the primary point of contact in the absence of the supervisor.

The JGI's mission is to provide the global research community with access to the most advanced integrative genome science capabilities in support of the DOEs research mission to solve the world's evolving energy and environmental challenges. The JGI supports projects in genome sequencing, synthesis, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and natural products in plants, fungi, algae, and microorganisms. This position is headquartered on the Lab's main site at the Integrative Genomics Building (IGB) (Virtual Tour).

This position has an anticipated start date of January 5, 2026.

We're here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

Why join Berkeley Lab?

We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on:

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K-style plans
• A culture where you'll belong - we are invested in our teams!
• In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.
• Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers)
• Pet insurance

What You Will Do:

• Independently handle the day-to-day activities of shipping and receiving functions and oversee the receiving and shipments of Federal Express, UPS, and Airborne packages.
• Receive, distribute, store, issue, collect, sort, dismantle, segregate, and dispose of materials, laboratory reagents, equipment and supplies.
• Monitor, record, and verify movement of incoming and out-going materials, parts, supplies, and equipment using electronic systems and databases.
• Unpack boxes, crates, and pallets which include chemicals and hazardous materials, check goods against purchase orders/invoices; reject unsatisfactory items.
• Enter property, chemical, and hazardous material inventory information into the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) Chemical Management System (CMS) database.
• Use advanced knowledge of electronic systems for inventory control, receipt, and assets control.
• Deliver a variety of materials and packages to requestors, customers, and staff or place in warehouse storage.
• Prepare, package, and ship materials in accordance with applicable Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. For hazardous shipments, ensure that the materials are properly manifested and segregated in accordance with DOT 49 CFR regulations.
• Use forklifts, pallet jacks, skids, and hand trucks; may use laboratory vehicles to transport supplies.
• Maintain work and storage areas, monitoring inventory levels.
• Perform inter-site material transfer between buildings, LBNL/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), or outside vendors and suppliers.
• Maintain good housekeeping practices in receiving areas and warehouses.
• Maintain accurate and complete files.
• Ensure all material passing through Receiving is properly documented in accordance with applicable JGI, Laboratory, UC and/or DOE policy.
• Ensure all high value ($5k) and/or sensitive property arriving at JGI is bar coded in accordance with DOE requirements.

Additional Duties As Needed:

• Prepare status reports and assist with property audits.
• Assist with warehouse outlay and re-warehousing.
• Oversee use and maintenance of vehicles assigned to the IGB.
• Autoclaving and glass washing services.
• Serve as back up Property Manager and Storeroom Manager.
• Serve as a back-up Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA) in laboratories and transfer waste to the Waste Accumulation Area (WAA).

What is Required:

• A High School education (or equivalent knowledge/training) and a minimum of 2 years of related experience as a Material Handler.
• Advanced experience in receipt, inspection, distribution, storage, issue, collection, sorting, dismantling, segregation, and disposal of materials, equipment and supplies.
• Journey level experience operating a wide range of motorized and non-motorized material handling equipment (i.e., forklifts, stackers, pallet jacks, etc.)
• Must hold a valid California driver's license.
• Advanced experience applying policies and procedures in the administration of Shipping and Receiving related to warehousing and purchasing.
• Demonstrated computer experience using PC hardware and software in receiving, shipping, property, and/or inventory control including working knowledge of software applications such as spreadsheets, email, word processing, web and databases.
• Strong organizational skills with an ability to work accurately with high attention to detail.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills including the ability to provide excellent customer service in a professional service-oriented manner.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate with an interdisciplinary operations team.
• Must be able to perform the following physical requirements:
  • Lift, move, and maneuver objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
  • Bend, stoop, kneel, push, pull, and climb stairs.
  • Have color vision sufficient to accurately assess color codes.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience, training, and/or valid certification with forklift equipment.
• Experience in a scientific research laboratory environment.
• Knowledge of biology and terminology.
• Knowledge of DOT shipping methods including handling of manifests and segregation of hazardous materials in accordance with DOT 49 CFR regulations.
• Advanced product knowledge of materials used in Laboratories.

Additional Information:

• Application Deadline: For full consideration, please apply with a resume by December 22, 2025.
• Appointment Type: This is a full time, career appointment, non-exempt from overtime pay (hourly paid).
• Salary Information: This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes and is expected to pay $27.81 - $34.54 hourly, for job code 566.3. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications, and aligned with the internal peer group (if applicable, and union contract agreement).
• Background Check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work Modality: This position will be performed onsite atLawrence Berkeley National Lab located at 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720.Work schedules are dependent on business needs. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).
• Relocation Assistance: This position is eligible for relocation assistance.
• Work Authorization: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Berkeley Lab does not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Berkeley Lab is a University of California employer. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.