Science Laboratory Technician (Biology Department)

Science Laboratory Technician (Biology Department)

Posting Number: 0001490
Location: Contra Costa College
Salary: $4,392.00 -$5,351.00 per month

Position Definition:
To operate a science laboratory and maintain equipment, tools, materials and supplies; provides assistance to faculty and students; selects, trains and supervises student assistants to work in science laboratories and storerooms.

Distinguishing Characteristics:


Examples of Duties/Essential Functions:
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Performs the timely preparation, set-up and issuing of materials, equipment and lockers for use in student laboratory demonstrations, experiments, exercises and exams.
Operates and demonstrates the use of specialized equipment and instruments commonly found in community college laboratories
Maintains a clean and safe learning environment in the laboratory, laboratory office and storage areas.
Prepares and maintains a variety of records, logs and files related to supplies and equipment.
Monitors utilization of supplies to assure a well-stocked laboratory.
Prepares and manages a supply budget.
Prepares various media, cultures, solutions, and stains.
Assembles, tests, installs, operates and maintains laboratory equipment and materials.
Notifies appropriate personnel of needed repairs, maintenance, or any hazardous condition that exist in the laboratories.
Assists faculty in the planning and implementation of experimental design and preparation of laboratory exercises.
Inspects areas for hazardous material spills.
Communicates with instructors, vendors and suppliers regarding science laboratory purchases, operations and equipment.
Provides appropriate student safety training; maintains records of training.
Collects, monitors, controls, labels, keeps detailed logs and stores and arranges for safe disposal of hazardous chemical, reagent and hazardous chemicals and biological waste.
Recruits, selects, trains and supervises assistants; schedules, assigns and reviews work to ensure optimal use of the lab.
Provides instructional guidance and assistance to individuals and small groups of science students; reinforces concepts, techniques and practical applications presented by the instructor.
Attends periodic training to maintain current knowledge of proper handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials and related record keeping requirements.
Performs general clerical duties.
Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education/Experience:
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
One (1) year of responsible experience in a college, public health, hospital, clinical or research setting performing discipline-specific tests and processes, including experience in workplace safety.
EDUCATION / LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE
Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in a discipline relevant to assigned area, or equivalent.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Red Cross First Aid and CPR certificate.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, Cal OSHA Certification.

Knowledge Of:
Methods, techniques and procedures used in the planning, development and delivery of a science laboratory program.
Subject matter and theoretical principles of assigned discipline.
Methods of gathering and presenting general statistical data.
Scientific laboratory equipment, materials, supplies, methods, practices and techniques.
Tools, materials and equipment used in the repair, calibration, and maintenance of science laboratory equipment and instruments.
Principles, practices, and environmental health and safety regulations necessary to use and dispose of hazardous materials or work with laboratory equipment.
Modern software applications (Microsoft Office Suite, etc.).
Principles of record keeping and budget administration.

Skill To:


Ability To:
Work independently with minimal supervision.
Organize and prioritize laboratory activities.
Research, adapt, and apply laboratory methods, practices and techniques common to assigned department.
Perform routine and analytical work needed to prepare equipment and materials for laboratory assignments.
Effectively and safely operate, adapt, and maintain scientific equipment.
Understand the function of, operate, demonstrate, maintain, troubleshoot, repair and calibrate technical instruments.
Perform administrative work accurately and efficiently, including budget monitoring.
Interpret and apply policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Lift, move and manipulate objects and equipment within laboratory.
Establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
Stay current with changing environmental health and safety regulations.
Safely handle, store and dispose of hazardous materials.
Demonstrate understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socio-economic, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability, and religious background of all students, faculty and staff, and with all individuals encountered in the performance of required duties.

Desirable Qualifications:
• Knowledge of the use of the AD instrument package known as PowerLab for the collection of Physiological Lab data.
• Experience with using frogs for live tissue experiments in neural conduction, skeletal muscle contraction and cardiac function.
• Ability to prepare lab solutions with correct dilutions.

• Experience with physiological labs, including using students for blood pressure, EKG, respiration and exercise physiology.
• Knowledge of anatomical terminology and experience with identifying anatomical structures on models and cadavers.
• Experience with ordering lab materials and maintaining needed stocks of chemicals and supplies.
• Experience with working with students in a lab environment
• Experience with other lab courses such as microbiology, introductory biology, organismal biology, or cell and molecular biology

Special Instructions:
This Science Lab Technician position in the Biology Department is specifically to support the Anatomy and Physiology courses. The technician will be expected to prepare solutions and equipment for the physiology laboratories. Knowledge of basic physiological lab equipment such as PowerLab, transducers, Collin’s Respirometers, EKG machines, blood pressure cuffs, pH meters and other lab equipment will be useful. Some of our labs are also based on the use of frogs for live tissue experiments, the technician will need to prepare these samples before class starts.
In the anatomy course, the technician will be preparing the laboratory models and cadaver specimens with tagged labels. A general knowledge of anatomy will be needed to accomplish these tasks.
The technician may also find the need to work across the department in other lab courses such as Microbiology, Organismal Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology and General Biology to support classes when the technicians for these courses are unavailable.
Contra Costa College serves about 10,000 students, credit and non-credit, who pursue transfer preparation, career education and foundational skills. The College’s student population reflects its surrounding diverse communities. Serving predominately African American and Latinx students, Contra Costa College is situated in a socioeconomically diverse, resilient and culturally vibrant community. As a proud Hispanic Serving Institution, we seek candidates who embrace our community, our student population, and our central work: strengthening West County by meeting our students where they are and helping them get to where they want to be.
We seek a colleague who operates with a growth mindset, a strength-based approach centered on students, and an unflinching commitment to equity, especially concerning the elimination of barriers to college access, success, and completion. The ideal candidate will be eager to help construct and maintain a culture of continuous improvement in instructional effectiveness, student service, and leadership.

NOTE: New employees will be placed at the first step which is $ 4,392, second step step $ 4,616 or third step $4,847 per month, depending on experience. Based on current salary placement guidelines, all step increases for which an employee becomes eligible shall take place on July 1st of each fiscal year. These increases will occur, on an annual basis, until the maximum step of $ 5,351 per month is reached on the salary schedule.

Contra Costa Community College District is returning to some in-person activities, in a gradual, responsive process that is following all relevant local, state, federal, and CDC guidance related to COVID-19. Applicants are advised that the Contra Costa Community College District has mandated that District employees will need to be vaccinated, test regularly, or obtain a waiver for religious or medical reasons. For those employees who receive a waiver they will be required to wear a mask and test regularly. If this employment condition is unacceptable to an applicant, they should not apply for consideration.

Job Close Date:
Open Until Filled: Yes

To apply, visit https://www.4cdcareers.net/postings/8351 jeid-41aeac36aaf78c409bb5fe22739c98a2