Senior Laboratory Technician, Math/Science/Engineering

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 direction from an appropriate level manager or administrator, performs complex technical work in an instructional learning environment for a highly technical or complex subject area; exercises judgment and initiative in coordinating laboratories and other instructional facilities and materials within the assigned area; provides a high level of academic assistance to assigned instructors; may oversee and provide lead direction to Laboratory Technician positions.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Positions in the Senior Laboratory Technician class are distinguished from the Laboratory Technician by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity and range of duties assigned. Employees assume greater responsibility for more technical aspects of a learning program, perform at a skill level with a considerable degree of independence, and operate complex apparatus, equipment, and machines. In addition, the Senior Laboratory Technician must possess extensive technical and academic training and experience in the assigned field, set up complex laboratories such as chemistry or biology, handle hazardous materials, oversee and manage assigned budgets, specify, order, and inventory laboratory equipment, supplies, and materials, and provide significant academic and technical assistance to assigned instructors. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to the assigned area of responsibility and are fully aware of the operating policies and procedures 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.

• Participate in the planning and implementation of laboratory exercises, experiments, and procedures; implement new or modified policies and procedures as required.
• Prepare for laboratory demonstrations; set up laboratory apparatus; assist students in the use of a variety of laboratory equipment and instruments; ensure student compliance with laboratory policies, procedures, and safety precautions; demonstrate proper care and cleaning procedures for laboratory equipment.
• Assist instructors in developing experiments and laboratory activities; develop and prepare laboratory practicum tests, study sheets, visual instructional aids, sample exercises and exams, and laboratory experiments.
• Provide assistance to students on a variety of laboratory and course-related matters; review student work in progress and assist in resolving technical experimentation problems.
• Assist instructors, staff, and students in the use of a variety of laboratory equipment, materials, and supplies in an instructional setting; monitor students involved in laboratory activities; ensure student compliance with laboratory policies, procedures, and safety precautions; demonstrate safety and emergency procedures in class and laboratory situations.
• Maintain a clean and safe learning environment; diagnose and repair malfunctioning laboratory equipment; maintain, clean, and test equipment relating to biology, chemistry, and various other experimentation and study, including microscopes, balances, lasers, cameras, vacuum pumps, optical systems, computers, hand power tools, telescopes, meters, generators, and heaters.
• Oversee and participate in the ordering and maintenance of supplies, materials and equipment; acquire and maintain an inventory of materials for instructional programs including, but not limited to, a variety of specimen collections, chemicals, laboratory supplies, glassware, books, slides and films; store, discard, and rotate materials according to standard procedures; receive, assemble, and test new equipment.
• Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for budget items; monitor and control expenditures.
• May oversee and provide lead direction to Laboratory Technician positions, part-time hourly staff, and student volunteers.
• Prepare solutions and mixtures of chemicals for assigned laboratory use; dispense and label chemicals in appropriate containers.
• Monitor and dispose of chemicals and chemical waste; identify, collect, and store unwanted and expired chemicals according to established safety guidelines and procedures.
• Maintain a deionized water purification system; maintain contracts with outside vendors; read and log usage; monitor system for maintenance needs.
• Check out and collect borrowed equipment, including microscopes, lenses, balances, power tools, magnifiers, calculators, and study sets; inspect equipment and materials for proper condition upon return.
• Provide for and maintain a suitable environment for a variety of living organisms utilized in laboratory experiments; feed, clean, and monitor organisms and maintain records of condition.
• Prepare and sterilize specialized media for growth of biohazardous microorganisms; maintain bacteria and microorganisms under safe and sterile conditions; perform proper decontamination and disposal of all microbial and fungal biohazardous waste.
• Respond to inquiries and requests for information; answer phones; relay messages for faculty and staff.
• Respond to laboratory emergencies, including injuries and chemical spills; serve as floor monitor during evacuations.
• 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:

• Operational characteristics of laboratory apparatus, equipment, and materials pertaining to assigned laboratory.
• Advanced theories and applications of the assigned scientific discipline.
• Advanced principles and practices of laboratory operations.
• Methods and techniques used in handling and disposing of hazardous chemicals.
• Proper methods of storing equipment, materials, chemicals, and supplies used within the assigned laboratory.
• Advanced mathematical principles and scientific concepts.
• Properties and safe handling of biohazardous and pathogenic materials.
• Electronics and related repair techniques.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping and filing.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Basic principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.

Ability to:

• Perform complex technical work in an instructional learning environment for a highly technical or complex subject area.
• Perform duties at an advanced skill level with a considerable degree of independence.
• Provide assistance to students on matters related to assigned laboratories.
• Provide assistance to instructors in the development of laboratory experiments and demonstrations.
• Correctly and efficiently set up laboratory equipment and materials used in exercises and experiments.
• Safely mix, dispense, and store solutions for chemistry laboratory experiments.
• Properly store and dispose of hazardous chemicals and materials.
• Troubleshoot and repair electronic, optical, and mechanical equipment.
• Anticipate resource needs of the department and individual instructors.
• Operate, understand the mechanical function of, and perform routine maintenance and repairs on laboratory equipment within assigned area.
• Interpret and apply department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
• Participate in budget preparation and administration.
• 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.

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:

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in math, science, engineering, or a related field.

Experience:

Three years of increasingly responsible experience in monitoring and implementing a laboratory program.

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; exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals, noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, noxious odors, and gases; work with laboratory equipment and apparatus; may work in, near, or with water. Moderate exposure to risks controlled by safety precautions.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a laboratory setting; stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; lift, carry, push, and/or pull moderate to heavy amounts of weight; operate laboratory equipment and apparatus requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination; verbally communicate to exchange information; may require the wearing of safety glasses or goggles, lab coat, 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

Range 130 of the CSEA Salary Schedule

Expected Assignment Details (subject to business necessity)

This position is located at the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in Saddleback College. Laboratory Technicians support the faculty in the Biology Department so that they can support our students. This position will support all courses as needed, but more focus is paid to the General Biology, Biochemistry, and Cell Biology preparation.

Work schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM) - Schedule and shift are subject to change in accordance with the department's needs.

Required Documents: Resume

Hour per Week: 40

Months per Year: 12

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.

Link: https://www.socccd.edu/board-trustees/board-policies

Required Question

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) is a shared responsibility across all roles. Briefly describe how you have helped reduce barriers, promote inclusion, or support equitable outcomes in your professional practice.