Laboratory Technician - Science

Position Summary

Under general supervision of the assigned manager/supervisor, performs specialized and technical duties in the operation and maintenance of science instructional laboratories and stockrooms including hazardous material storage, clean up, and disposal. Prepares, receives, stocks, and issues laboratory supplies, materials, and equipment; coordinates budgetary requisitions and expenditures for laboratory supplies and equipment, repairs, alterations, preventative maintenance contracts, and blanket purchase orders; and trains and directs student help.

Generates purchase orders for supplies, materials and equipment needed for laboratories; prepares instructional materials and equipment for instructor demonstrations and student use; organizes and facilitates the collection, clean-up and disposal of biohazardous or toxic chemical waste; interfaces with hazardous waste disposal vendors; adheres to state and local laws and regulations relating to health and safety and safe storage and disposal of hazardous materials;

maintains the stockroom and laboratory in a safe, clean, and orderly condition, including functional checks on safety equipment such as eyewash stations, showers, fire extinguishers and hoods; assures availability of supplies, materials and equipment needed for laboratories; provides training for instructors and new technicians on stockroom operation; prepares and issues materials and equipment for student use; cleans, sterilizes, performs minor repairs to, adjusts and maintains laboratory and stockroom equipment;

trains and provides direction to student help; operates a variety of equipment related to the science lab and stockroom; orders, receives and stores supplies, materials and equipment; communicates results of tests and analyses; prepares and maintains various records and reports related to laboratory operations, including records of storeroom expenditures and consumable material use; operates a computer for word processing, spreadsheet and database applications;

maintains supply, materials and equipment inventories and related accountability records in a scientific storeroom; controls expenditures within the assigned budget allocation; provides data for and prepares budget estimates; operates a motor vehicle as needed; meets with science faculty, Instructional Assistants and other Laboratory Technicians to assist in the design and development of experiments and demonstrations; and performs related duties as required.

Prepares and maintains microbial cultures and media; prepares solutions; handles living organisms; works with preserved organisms; moves and relocates biological models; operates autoclaves; cleans lab and stockroom glassware and equipment; uses dissecting tools.

Prepares materials for instructors including solutions, solids, unknowns and associated demonstration materials; prepares standard volumetric solutions and reagents used in labs; tests and analyzes chemical and physical properties of liquids, solids and gases; maintains a chemical library for students to check out various items needed for their labs or homework; assigns lockers each semester to the various labs; performs minor maintenance and keeps inventory on lockers and usage;

maintains breakage cards for instructors to monitor glassware breakage and shortages.

Prepares equipment and materials for instructors; assembles items for demonstration and lab use; repairs equipment using basic electronics skill; calculates data to compare with expected values; maintains sensors and probes; may work with nuclear materials.

• One year of responsible and successful work experience in a science laboratory or stockroom, or equivalent training.
• Completion of two years of college education, with 19 semester units in Biology, Chemistry and/or Physics. Education must be from an accredited institution. Additional experience or education may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required experience or education.
• Equity‑minded focus, responsiveness and sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, including those with physical or learning disabilities as it relates to differences in learning styles, and a proven ability to foster and support an inclusive educational and employment environment.

One year of experience is equal to 12 months of experience at 40 hours per week. Applicable part‑time experience will be converted to the full‑time equivalent for purposes of meeting the experience requirement. One year of education is equal to 30 semester units.