Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
Under general supervision from an appropriate level manager or administrator, assists in the preparation of materials and demonstrations for an assigned instructional area; ensures adequate inventory of supplies and materials is maintained; ensures lab equipment is maintained; may provide limited and routine assistance to students within the assigned subject area; and maintains the general cleanliness of the assigned laboratory.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Positions in the Laboratory Assistant class are distinguished from the Laboratory Technician class by the depth of subject knowledge required and the level of responsibility assumed. In comparison to the Laboratory Technician, positions at this level work under closer supervision and perform more routine functions requiring less knowledge of the subject area. Laboratory Assistant positions may have a basic understanding of the functional use of specialized equipment but are not required to demonstrate the use or troubleshoot major problems. Incumbents in this class will learn to use specialized lab equipment over time and are expected to be able to operate and perform routine demonstrations and troubleshooting by the end of the probationary period. Employees at this level should have some related experience and are expected to become fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
- Assist instructors in preparing instructional materials; prepare study sheets, visual instructional aids, sample exercises and exams, and laboratory experiments, as directed; may assist in maintaining related records.
- Assist in preparing for laboratory demonstrations; set up laboratory apparatus; demonstrate proper care and cleaning procedures for laboratory equipment.
- Maintain a clean and safe learning environment; clean floors, tabletops, desks, and furniture; maintain, clean, and test assigned equipment.
- Participate in the ordering and maintenance of supplies, materials, and equipment; store, discard, and rotate materials according to standard procedures; receive, may assemble, and test new equipment.
- Respond to inquiries and requests for information or forward to appropriate departments or individuals; answer phones; relay messages for faculty and staff.
- Perform related duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
Knowledge of
- Basic principles and practices of laboratory operations.
- Basic operational characteristics of laboratory apparatus, equipment, and materials pertaining to assigned laboratory and subject area.
- Proper methods of storing equipment, materials, and supplies used within the assigned laboratory.
- Principles and procedures of record keeping and filing.
- Basic office procedures and practices, including the use of computers and applicable software applications for word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and related administrative tasks.
- Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
Ability to
- Understand and follow directions.
- Learn and apply department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
- Learn to operate a variety of specialized equipment.
- Learn the use of supplies and materials specific to the subject area.
- Assist in the preparation of instructional materials and demonstrations for an assigned subject area.
- Correctly and efficiently set up laboratory equipment and materials used in exercises and experiments.
- Properly store materials.
- Understand the basic mechanical functions of and perform routine maintenance and repairs on laboratory equipment within the assigned area.
- Maintain the cleanliness of assigned laboratory.
- Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
- Effectively monitor and maintain an adequate inventory of materials for instructional programs.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Report to work on a regular and consistent basis, as scheduled, to assigned job.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education/Training
Some college-level coursework or other technical training in a field related to the area of assignment and that provides exposure to a laboratory environment is highly desirable.
Experience
One year of experience working in a related field is highly desirable.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environment: Work is performed primarily in a laboratory setting; may be exposed to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, noxious odors, and gases; work with laboratory equipment and apparatus; may work with water. At least minimal environmental controls are in place to ensure health and comfort; limited exposure to risks controlled by safety precautions.
Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a laboratory setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate laboratory equipment and apparatus requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination; to verbally communicate to exchange information; may require wearing safety glasses or goggles, lab coats, rubber or plastic gloves, respirators, or face shields. Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction. Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
Supplemental Information
Work Schedule: TBD – Schedule and shift vary and are subject to change in accordance with the department's needs.
Hours per Week: Up to 25
Employment Conditions and Information:
This is a short-term, temporary, hourly Non-Bargaining Unit (NBU) assignment, not to exceed 160 days and 960 hours per fiscal year (July 1st through June 30th). Short-term, temporary NBU positions may only be used on an intermittent, seasonal, or project basis. Education Code Section 88003 states "Short-term employee means any person who is employed to perform a service for the district, upon the completion of which, the service required or similar services will not be extended or needed on a continuing basis.”
After successful completion of the onboarding requirements, an individual may be employed by the South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) as a short-term, temporary NBU employee. Employment will be on an “if and as needed” basis, as determined by the SOCCCD. The assignment may be shortened or extended at any time, due to departmental needs, with little to no notice. NBU employment is at-will, and either party may terminate this working relationship at any time. Neither party shall be required to provide any reason for the separation. NBU employees shall not have reemployment rights or recourse to petition to be reinstated.
NBU employees are limited to working in a single position within one department and at one worksite. ASL Interpreters and Art Models are the only exceptions to the single-worksite requirement. NBU employees may not work remotely and must be supervised while performing their assigned duties.
NBU employees are paid on a monthly basis. The payroll reporting period is from the 1st of the month to the last day of the month. NBU employees are paid on the 10th of the following month.
Example: For the following reporting period: January 1st through January 31st, the NBU employee will be paid on February 10th.
NBU employees who work more than 1000 hours per fiscal year are required to contribute to the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), through payroll deduction. The SOCCCD does not intend to employ NBU employees for more than 960 hours during any fiscal year.
General Information:
For general information about benefits, including eligibility requirements, please visit the benefits webpage on the South Orange County Community College District (“District”) website.
Link: https://www.socccd.edu/departments/business-services/employee-benefits
Retiree Benefits:
Faculty (Full-Time)
Present medical, vision, and dental benefits for those retirees who were employed full-time by the District for ten (10) years immediately preceding the date of retirement and who have reached the age of fifty-five (55), and who meet the eligibility requirements described in the collective bargaining agreement, and for the dependents of eligible retirees, shall continue until the retiree reaches the age of Medicare eligibility. The retiree may be eligible for continued benefits after reaching the age of Medicare eligibility.
For more information about retiree benefits, including eligibility requirements, please refer to the applicable collective bargaining agreement on the District website.
Link: https://www.socccd.edu/departments/human-resources/contracts-and-salary-schedules
Staff (California School Employees Association (“CSEA”))
Effective July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2026, bargaining unit members who retire from the District and the California Public Employees' Retirement System (“CalPERS”)/California State Teachers’ Retirement System (“CalSTRS”) concurrently at sixty (60) years of age or older who have been employed by the District for at least ten (10) consecutive years, during which they were health benefit eligible under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement immediately prior to retirement, shall receive the same District contribution as provided active bargaining unit members under the collective bargaining agreement, toward health benefits specified under the collective bargaining agreement, excluding long term disability and life insurance, the legal assistance program and long term care insurance, until age sixty-five (65) or until the bargaining unit member becomes eligible for Medicare, whichever is sooner.
OR
Effective July 1, 2026, bargaining unit members will receive the District offered medical, vision, and dental benefits for those retirees who retire July 1, 2026, or thereafter, who were employed full-time by the District for ten (10) years immediately preceding the date of retirement and who have reached the age of fifty-five (55), and who meet the requirements described in the collective bargaining agreement. The retiree may be eligible for continued benefits after reaching the age of Medicare eligibility.
For more information about retiree benefits, including eligibility requirements, please refer to the applicable collective bargaining agreement on the District website.
Link: https://www.socccd.edu/departments/human-resources/contracts-and-salary-schedules
Management
Medical, dental, and vision benefits in effect in the District at the time of retirement of a management team member shall continue in effect upon the employee's retirement for those employees who have been actively employed full-time and receiving full-time benefits by the District for ten (10) consecutive years immediately preceding the date of retirement and who concurrently retire from either CalSTRS and/or CalPERS. The retiree may be eligible for continued benefits after reaching the age of Medicare eligibility.
For more information about retiree benefits, including eligibility requirements, please refer to the applicable board policy and/or administrative regulation on the District website.
