Science Laboratory Technician I

Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) District announces an educational opportunity to work with students and faculty in the chemistry, physics, and biology departments. The Science Laboratory Technician I will provide technical support and serve as a resource to faculty, students and staff regarding assigned chemistry and physics laboratory functions.

This position will work closely with the Science, Technology, and Environment meta major. Understand the physical world by using the scientific methods of observation, experimentation, and analysis. Designed to deepen one’s knowledge of the natural world, and gain hands-on experience with advanced scientific tools. This meta major is ideal for students in careers such as computer science, environmental engineering, medicine, or GIS mapping.

During the summer months the Science Laboratory Technician I will also assist the Community Education department Kids’ Camps particularly with focus on the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) workshops. This position will also be involved with the Intensive Spanish Summer Institute (ISSI) which is a one-week Spanish immersion experience in early . Duties will include assisting with set-up of the event, monitoring activities during the event, and assisting with the break-down of the event. These duties will come into effect when science laboratory courses are minimal during the summer period.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
After review, suitable applicants will be invited to participate in a skills assessment stage of the screening process. These applicants will be notified by phone or email on or about Thursday, 18, 2022. Successful candidates will then be interviewed by a committee of 3 to 5 individuals; these interviews are tentatively scheduled for 26, 2022. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview. LTCC reserves the right to return to the applicant pool at any point during the recruitment process.

COMPENSATION:
Salary Range: LTCC offers a competitive compensation package that includes a starting placement salary of $39,312 to $43,417 annually, dependent on education and experience. There is potential to reach $50,368 annually, through step advancement plus longevity when appropriate. In addition to base salary, this position qualifies for extra bilingual (Spanish), masters or doctorate pay.

Benefits: Health and Welfare benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long term disability. Several plan options maintain a zero monthly premium cost from the employee and include full coverage of a gold-level medical plan that, on average, covers 80% of healthcare expenses for a standard population. LTCC also matches 25.37% of an eligible employee’s salary and contributes it into a CalPERS pension account for qualifying employees.

Work-Life Balance: This positions is 40 hours per week and 12 months per year, including summer and winter hours. Hours are expected to be Monday-Friday, generally within the hours of 8 am to 5 pm with some night and weekend requirements, hours vary according to the needs of the program. This position is eligible for overtime compensation (non-exempt) and qualify for the telecommute pilot program, which allows employees the opportunity to telecommute for up to 20% of the work week.

LTCC provides 16 paid holidays per year plus 12 days vacation (with the potential to reach 24 days through years of service) and 12 days of paid sick leave per year. Furthermore, LTCC has made a commitment to full closures during holidays and several weekends adjoining holidays to provide employees the ability to take advantage of holiday and vacation usage.

Under the direction of the Dean of Instruction, provide technical support and serve as a resource to faculty, students and staff regarding assigned laboratory functions; assist faculty with laboratory set-ups and experimental techniques and hazardous waste disposal; train and provide work direction to instructional aides in a laboratory setting.

Set up and break down laboratory experiments; determine required supplies and generate purchase orders; when necessary, obtain fresh or preserved specimans for biology and Anatomy & Physiology labs; conduct chemical calculations for solutions including molarity, percent solution, concentrations and titrations; clean glassware and properly store equipment and chemicals; properly dispose of chemicals in appropriate waste storage containers.

Serve as a technical resource to faculty and students regarding lab functions; meet with faculty to review laboratory set ups, discuss proper procedures, answer questions and provide technical support as needed; familiarize faculty and students with special equipment and experimental techniques; guide students and faculty regarding proper laboratory hazardous waste disposal.

Train and provide work direction to instructional aides regarding specific and proper experimental techniques; provide training regarding chemical compatibility, handling and proper disposal, equipment recognition and knowledge of electrical practices.

Assure compliance with safety standards; maintenance of safety equipment and maintain a safe laboratory environment; maintain knowledge of correct chemical storage; create and maintain records of chemical storage and chemical waste disposal including safety data sheets; maintain current data of chemical quantities and locations to assure compatibility; maintain inventory of physics equipment.

Research and estimate required supplies of chemicals, physics equipment, and biology supplies; issue and maintain equipment and supplies and prepare labs for instructional activities; test, adjust, maintain and perform minor repairs to equipment; troubleshoot and determine if replacement is necessary; send equipment out for major repairs.

Operate and maintain a variety of lab and office equipment including an autoclave, electronic balance, power supplies, centrifuge, computer and related software applications, calculator, copier and other equipment.

Research new ideas for laboratory exercises; test feasibility; purchase necessary equipment; perform trial runs to evaluate effectiveness of lab; label chemicals appropriately; assist other departments with proper hazardous chemical handling and removal.

Will be required to assist other instructional programs during the summer.

Other Duties:

Perform related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Any combination equivalent to: Associate’s degree in science, chemistry, biology, microbiology or related field and two years laboratory maintenance experience.

Knowledge of:

• Chemical solutions and compounds and their properties.
• Occupational safety and health rules and regulations, and their specific applications to a chemical and microbiology laboratory.
• Methods, procedures and equipment used in an instructional laboratory.
• General clerical and record-keeping techniques.
• Correct English, scientific and technical usage of grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Technical aspects of chemistry and physics.
• Proper methods of storing equipment, materials and supplies.
• Operation of a computer and assigned software.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of technical duties in providing instructional assistance and support to faculty and students in an assigned science laboratory.
• Set up, organize and oversee the operation and maintenance of the lab.
• Assure proper care and security of assigned lab equipment, specialized materials and supplies.
• Assemble, maintain and perform minor repairs on lab equipment.
• Analyze and evaluate new equipment, methods, procedures and techniques.
• Issue and receive equipment and supplies.
• Meet schedules and timelines.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working and cooperative relationships with others.
• Maintain records and prepare reports.

Additional Requirement (Licensure/Certification):

• No additional requirement.

Working Environment:

• Indoor Science Laboratory environment.
• Lifting and carrying heavy objects as assigned by the position.
• Exposure to fumes and potentially hazardous materials used in a science lab.