College of Science Laboratory Support Technician

Job Description:

College of Science Laboratory Support Technician

Description

Salary and Benefits

PLEASE NOTE: The starting salary placement depends on qualifications and experience and is anticipated to be in the range of $5,053.00 per month to $6,909.00 per month.

Cal State East Bay offers a broad range of benefits that includes medical, dental, vision, retirement (CalPERS), 401k, 457, 403(b), dependent and health care reimbursement accounts, life insurance, vacation and sick, 14 paid holidays, one personal holiday and tuition fee waiver.

For more information on the benefits program, please visit our benefits website. The CSU Total Compensation Calculator demonstrates the significance of our benefits package.

Classification

Instructional Support Technician III

About Cal State East Bay

Cal State East Bay's beautiful main campus is located in the Hayward hills with panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay shoreline. Situated above the city of Hayward, the campus offers an ideal setting for teaching and learning and yet easy access to the many cities along the bay. The University has a satellite campus in Concord, a professional development center in Oakland and a significant presence online. Founded in 1957, Cal State East Bay is one of 23 universities of the California State University system (CSU). Cal State East Bay is recognized as a regionally engaged and globally oriented university with a strong commitment to academic innovation, student success, engaged and service learning, diversity, and sustainability.

About the Position

Fulfilling the College of Science’s (CSCI) instructional (both stateside and PHAP) and research missions at both the Cal State East Bay Hayward campus and Concord site requires the maintenance of shared facilities/equipment and a culture of safety. This instructional support position assists the Associate Dean in this work.

This is a comprehensive position supporting the instructional laboratory sections in multiple departments within CSCI. In particular, the individual will primarily serve the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Department of Physics, with occasional support to other departments in CSCI, as needed. The majority of the courses offered in Chemistry and Biochemistry and Physics have a linked or separate laboratory component, and these departments routinely run 80-90 laboratory class sections a year. The timely and accurate preparation of lab materials for the experiments in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is the combined job of the department stockroom personnel and the incumbent of this position. The individual sought for this position will oversee operation of the Chemistry and Biochemistry stockroom, share responsibility for the daily preparation of chemical reagents and equipment for the Chemistry and Biochemistry classroom laboratory sections, and lead other Chemistry and Biochemistry stockroom staff. The timely and accurate preparation of the instructional lab equipment in the Department of Physics is the shared responsibility of the incumbent and other CSCI support staff. Thus, the individual sought for this position will share responsibility for the weekly set-up of instructional lab equipment in the Department of Physics.

Additionally, this role is responsible for the maintenance of large instruments and monitoring smaller equipment for needed repairs in CSCI. Other responsibilities include collection and proper management of hazardous waste, implementing department safety procedures, overseeing and maintaining the safe storage of hazardous chemicals, regular review of the chemical and supply inventory for re-order or disposal, as appropriate, frequent consultation with faculty teaching the lab courses, development of up-to-date lists of materials needed for relevant courses, and generally helping to provide fully functioning and supportive stockrooms to help carry out the CSCI instructional mission. Candidates must be familiar with the proper handling and disposal of a wide spectrum of chemicals, should have good computer skills, understand the safe use of common tools, and be able to lift 30 pounds.

Responsibilities

For both the Departments of Chemistry & Biochemistry, and the Department of Physics, as appropriate, prepare chemical and biochemical reagents, supplies, and equipment in appropriate amounts for instructional laboratory sections, deliver and set materials up properly prior to the start of lab sections, and remove when the class is finished:

• Using the appropriate lab manual and/or in consultation with the appropriate instructor, develop, and routinely update lists of all supplies and equipment and reagents required for each laboratory class.
• Perform calculations, weigh or measure chemicals for distribution solution preparation, label reagents, test when necessary and store all class samples under conditions where the desired properties are retained for successful use in the lab section.
• Set out the materials and equipment for each assigned laboratory section. Make sure all equipment is in good working order.
• After the lab classes are finished with an experiment, remove all materials and either store, clean, or dispose of properly.
• Re-order materials and chemicals consumed in the experiments in a timely fashion; make sure materials for upcoming experiments are in stock or have been ordered.
• Consult with laboratory instructors regularly regarding needs for upcoming experiments. Assist with whatever is needed to ensure the timely and successful implementation of those experiments.

For both the Departments of Chemistry & Biochemistry, and the Department of Physics, as appropriate, maintain departmental instruments in good working order for laboratory classes or faculty supervised student research projects; set up instruments for use prior to the beginning of the laboratory classes:

• Be able to operate all department instruments.
• Check the instruments routinely to make sure they are in good working order; make sure required materials (e.g. compressed gases) are available and regular maintenance procedures (e.g. liquid nitrogen fills) are performed as needed.
• Identify problems or malfunctions of instruments and either address these or arrange for a repair visit from a vendor technician. Host vendor or arrange for a repair visit from a vendor technician. Host vendor technicians for routine maintenance visits.
• File or keep filed instrument manuals and maintenance history in designated stockroom cabinets and digitally; make sure instrument manuals are also available on instrument computers.
• When the instrument will be used for an assigned class, test and calibrate in advance, and coordinate with the instructor; on the day of the lab class, warm up the instrument and make sure whatever is necessary for successful use by laboratory sections has been done.
• Serve as a consultant for faculty and students who plan to use an instrument for faculty supervised student research experiments.

For both the Departments of Chemistry & Biochemistry, and the Department of Physics, as appropriate, monitor overall operation of the stockrooms with the goal of providing high quality, safe and timely services for the department laboratory program:

• In consultation with the department chairs and other personnel, develop equitable lab preparation assignments for the Instructional Support Technicians and appropriate duties for the Stock Clerk and student assistants.
• Oversee maintenance of efficient and safe organization of stockroom space.
• Provide training and guidance for other staff and student assistants, as appropriate.
• Make sure student assistants have reviewed chemical safety materials (MSDS files) for chemicals handled and are aware of any hazards and proper precautions.
• Plan for completion of essential duties when stockroom or other staff are absent.
• Serve as liaison between faculty and stockrooms; regularly consult with department faculty members on laboratory curriculum and instrumentation issues.
• Bring laboratory-related problems to the attention of the faculty and recommend solutions.

For both the Departments of Chemistry & Biochemistry, and the Department of Physics, as appropriate, monitor department safety measures and participate in the collection and disposal of hazardous laboratory waste:

• Ensure proper segregation, storage, and handling of hazardous chemicals. Inform others of safety measures, as needed.
• Be aware of applicable regulations for waste disposal.
• Regularly monitor waste levels in classroom satellite sites and remove to outside storage site when appropriate. Provide fresh properly labeled waste containers, as needed.
• Keep required hazardous waste records up-to-date.
• Provide safety training for new lab instructors; host safety inspections and assist in remediating any problems noted.
• Serve on the College of Science Safety and University BEST committee and regularly consult with the campus Department of Environmental Health and Safety.

Other Duties as Assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience:

• Equivalent to four (4) years of experience providing instructional support services for a related unit or discipline, or in producing materials or supplies or repairing equipment in a discipline related to specialty area to which assigned.

OR

• Equivalent to two (2) years of college with 16 semester units in courses involving extensive use of materials, supplies, or equipment and in a discipline related to the area to which assigned may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

OR

• Equivalent to four (4) years of college with 16 semester units in courses involving extensive use of materials, supplies, or equipment and in a discipline related to the specialty area to which assigned may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles and methods related to performing support services.
• Knowledge of the principles, information, methods and techniques related to discipline to which assigned.
• Knowledge of the materials and supplies related to the curriculum, their characteristics, and uses.
• Ability to plan, organize and schedule work.
• Ability to operate and repair technical and scientific equipment.
• Ability to coordinate support service to meet a comprehensive variety of needs.
• Ability to develop off-campus resources related to the discipline for obtaining materials or equipment.

Required Qualifications

• Familiarity with the functioning of instructional Chemistry and Biochemistry and Physics laboratory classes and understand the types of procedures they involve.
• Understand and be familiar with the properties, handling, safe storage and use of laboratory chemicals and biochemicals.
• Have demonstrated organizational and planning skills; be able to coordinate support services to meet a variety of instructional and research laboratory needs.
• Possess good interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with faculty and the stockroom staff, both to convey information and to respond to suggestions or complaints in a constructive manner.
• Have experience with the operation, maintenance, and calibration of scientific analytical instruments for use in classroom instruction or research activities.
• Understand and be familiar with the safe handling and proper disposal of hazardous chemical and biochemical waste, and understand the use of MSDS information.
• Have the ability to repair or arrange for repair of small equipment; be familiar with the safe use of common tools.
• Possess good computer skills (email, word processing, internet searches, etc.).

Preferred Skills and Knowledge

• A Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, or a closely related field, experience with the proper handling and disposal of a wide spectrum of chemicals.
• Two (2) years experience providing instructional support services for physical science courses and two (2) years of experience working with instrumentation used in the physical sciences.
• Good computer skills.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds.

Condition(s) of Employment

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including LiveScan, as appropriate), that may include, but is not limited to: criminal records check, verification of academic credentials, licenses, certificates, credit history, professional references and/or verification of work history is required for employment. Cal State East Bay will issue a conditional offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Unsatisfactory results may also affect the continued employment of current Cal State East Bay employees who were conditionally offered the position.

All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate. LiveScan is conducted through the University Police Department.

EEO Statement

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal State, East Bay provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. The CSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Other Information

All California State University campuses, including Cal State East Bay, are smoke and tobacco-free. For more information, please visit our website here.

In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, the Cal State East Bay Annual Campus Security Report is available here.

Sponsorship

Cal State East Bay is not a sponsoring agency for Staff or Management positions and we are not an E-Verify employer.

Mandated Reporter

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

Advertised: Mar 07 2025 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close: Jul 07 2025 Pacific Daylight Time

Closing Date/Time: