Instructional Support Technician II, George Wurzel Plant Sciences Building

Instructional Support Technician II, George Wurzel Plant Sciences Building

Location:

Central California:
Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo Campus

Under the general direction of the Senior Associate Dean, this position provides comprehensive technical and organizational support services for faculty and students in the George Wurzel Plant Sciences Building, which is a new research facility opening in Spring 2026. The Wurzel Building consists of seven research laboratories, two classrooms, and a growth chamber facility. The Instructional Support Technician (IST) aids in scheduling the availability of laboratory space, equipment, instruments, and facility utilization as well as coordinating maintenance needs with appropriate technicians/vendors.

The IST will support faculty and student research projects and maintain inventory and procurement of needed shared supplies. The IST helps implement and monitor appropriate safety and hygiene policies for the different functional regions of the Wurzel Building.

The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) at Cal Poly is one of the nation's premier colleges of agriculture and natural resources – and the fifth largest of its kind in the U.S. With more than 4,200 undergraduates, 16 majors, five graduate programs, and 192 dedicated faculty and staff, CAFES is a powerhouse of innovation, impact and hands‑on learning.

Our signature Learn by Doing philosophy comes alive across 10,000 acres of cropland, pastures, orchards, vineyards, and forests, as well as in specialized teaching and research facilities. From the Animal Health Center and Equine Center to the Center for Wine and Viticulture, Ag Tech Center and the new George Wurzel Plant Sciences Complex, and Marine Transportation facilities at the Solano campus, students and faculty work side by side – tackling real‑world challenges and shaping the future of food, agriculture and the environment.

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• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work independently; manage multiple concurrent assignments with fluctuating and time‑sensitive deadlines; exercise initiative and maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze operational, procedural, and technical problems and develop practical, thorough, and creative solutions; ability to evaluate, recommend, and implement proposed solutions.
• Ability to respond quickly and appropriately in emergencies due to the presence of dangerous situations or hazardous materials; knowledge of and ability to read and understand Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and other hazardous property reference materials.
• Thorough knowledge of or the ability to effectively operate and perform maintenance on technical equipment and instrumentation utilized at the facility.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply workplace safety, security, and emergency response procedures, including the safe handling, storage, and disposal of chemical, hazardous, and biohazardous materials; ability to read, interpret, and apply Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and related regulatory guidance.
• Ability to independently handle multiple priorities including projects, training, and/or guidance to others.
• Ability to manage laboratory space, and to organize and store supplies so they may be accessed quickly and easily.
• Ability to manage purchasing credit card, keep organized records, and create reports from those records.
• Ability to use tact, diplomacy, and professionalism to effectively interact with diverse individuals and groups; handle sensitive and high‑level interpersonal situations; provide high‑quality customer service; resolve conflicts appropriately; and foster a positive, cooperative, and productive work environment.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co‑workers.

Equivalent to three 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 the area to which assigned; OR equivalent to two years of college with 16 semester units in courses involving…