Instructional Technician-Biology

Instructional Technician-Biology (53.3% of full-time) Position Information

Position Title:

Instructional Technician-Biology (53.3% of full-time)

Campus:
West Valley College

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The Biology Department is seeking a talented individual to fill the position of Instructional Laboratory Technician for the Biology preparatory space. West Valley College, though just minutes from the heart of the Silicon Valley, is in a beautiful park-like setting on 143 wooded acres. Our staff and faculty are among the most qualified in the state and our students appreciate the college for its friendly staff and supportive atmosphere.

Under direction of an assigned supervisor, the Instructional Technician-Biology’s primary responsibility will be to care for live animals and plants, fresh and saltwater aquaria, greenhouse, green room, wet and dry preserved animal and plant specimens used in instruction. Additional assigned tasks will be carried out in coordination with instructional laboratory technicians, faculty, staff, and student lab assistants, working as a member of a collaborative team to support an instructional science laboratory.

Duties will include animal and plant husbandry, maintenance of aquaria, green room and greenhouse, stockroom and equipment maintenance, preparation of materials and supplies; maintenance of records and inventories of supplies and materials, coordinate with vendors, order and receive supplies; preparation, set up and clean-up of laboratory course materials and equipment; facilitate student learning by providing assistance to faculty and students;

select, hire, train, coordinate and supervise student assistants to work in science laboratories and storerooms. The candidate will also work on projects to proactively improve laboratory operations.

Applicants who possess the knowledge, skills, and life experiences to address the cultural and educational needs of a culturally diverse student population are encouraged to apply.

53.3% of full time, 20 hours per week, 12 months per year, with anticipated start date of May 2026. Schedule may change to include some evening or weekend hours, as needed. This position is represented by the West Valley-Mission Classified Employees Association (WVMCEA), Office, Technical & Business Services Employee Unit.

Work Location:

Biology Department, West Valley College, Saratoga, CA

Anticipated Hiring Range: $3,513.05 – $3,822.50 monthly (salary shown is prorated for 53.3% of full-time, WVMCEA Salary Schedule, Range 56, Steps A-C).

Benefits include:

• Employer-contributed medical, dental and vision for employee, spouse, and/or dependents (prorated for employees working less than 100% of full-time).
• Employer-paid long term disability for employee.
• Employer-provided life insurance.
• 14 paid holidays, plus 1 floating holiday annually; paid non-workdays between Christmas and New Year.
• 12 days vacation leave accrued annually; rate increases step-wise up to maximum 22 days vacation leave accrued annually. (prorated for employees working less than 100%).
• 12 days sick leave accrued annually (prorated for employees working less than 100%).
• Personal necessity leave and personal business leave.
• Educational growth incentive program from $45 to $225 monthly.
• $1000 longevity award annually after 10 years of service and $1,500 longevity award annually after 15 years of service.
• CalPERS retirement.
• Position is union affiliated.

Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Education:
  
  Equivalent to an Associate’s degree from an accredited college with major coursework in biological sciences or a related field.
• Experience:
  
  Two years of responsible experience in the biological disciplines.

AND

Understanding of, and sensitivity to the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, faculty and staff.

The ideal candidate will also demonstrate the following desired qualification(s):

• Experience and knowledge in animal husbandry. Ability to care for live animals, fresh and saltwater aquaria, as well as, wet and dry preserved animal specimens.
• Experience and knowledge in greenhouse maintenance. Ability to oversee greenhouse and greenroom operations and care for live plants, and preserved plant herbarium specimens.
• Knowledge of major principles of biological disciplines depending upon area of assignment, including zoology, botany, ecology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology.
• Knowledge of taxonomy of major lineages; methods and techniques used in the care of various life forms and plants.
• Ability to:

• Work as a member of a collaborative team, including staff, faculty, and mentoring or training students, maintaining respectful, effective, cooperative, and…