Instructional Support Technician - Biological Sciences

at  California State University

Job no: 541194
Work type: Staff
Location: San Luis Obispo
Categories: Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Probationary, Full Time, Education Support Professionals, On-site (work in-person at business location)
Position Description
Job Summary
Under the supervision of the Department Chair, the Instructional Support Technician III assists with the technical support, implementation, and preparation of all laboratory courses with a microbiology component in the Biological Sciences Department. The incumbent assumes responsibility for the technical assistance required to execute microbiology, immunology, molecular-related classroom exercises, and faculty and student research experiments. This includes the preparation and maintenance of specialized reagents, culture media, pathogenic and· non-pathogenic live bacteria, phages, fungi, and supplies. The incumbent will assist faculty in the development and demonstration of experiments and techniques. The incumbent also performs maintenance and support for specialized equipment, computer applications, and teaching/student research laboratories. This position assists in a variety of microbiology-related senior projects and graduate student thesis projects, and directly supervises student assistants. Additionally, this position serves as curator of the microbiology culture collections, oversees the daily operation of one central microbiology preparation room, two lower division microbiology laboratory rooms, one upper division microbiology laboratory room, and three student preparation rooms.
Department Summary
The Biological Sciences Department is the largest academic unit within the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics and is one of the largest departments at Cal Poly. There are approximately 900 undergraduate students and 50 graduate students. The department’s mission is three-fold: I) offer majors leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences, Marine Science, or Microbiology; 2) offer courses to satisfy the biology requirements for other majors; and 3) offer courses to meet general education and breadth requirements for Cal Poly’s entire student population. The department offers approximately 125 different courses to over 10,000 students annually, with the majority of courses having a laboratory component.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• Extensive knowledge of microbiology principles and practices, and the skills required for safe and aseptic preparation, maintenance, and long-term preservation of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms, reagents, laboratory equipment, and culture media.
• Strong working knowledge of the latest technology in microbiology, able to remain current in the technology, and able to apply this knowledge in the instructional laboratories and in faculty and student research.
• Strong understanding of expected laboratory experiment outcome and distinctive growth patterns of various microorganisms is essential in order to generate correct medium for successful growth and subsequent laboratory experience.
• Knowledge, ability, and skill in appropriate sterilization techniques as well as basic aspects of autoclave function, maintenance, and testing. Working knowledge of and skill to deploy, calibrate, repair and maintain equipment used in microbiology.
• Ability to take initiative, make independent decisions, and exercise sound judgment in planning, organizing, coordinating, and performing work in various situations where numerous and diverse demands are involved. Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines. Ability to work effectively in independently resolving problems and dealing with overlapping deadlines in laboratory schedules and equipment use.

Education and Experience

• Four years’ experience providing instructional support services in a related discipline, acting as a student assistant, or in procuring materials or supplies related to the discipline (two years of college with 16 semester units in courses in the related specialty area discipline may be substituted for one year of required experience OR four years of college with 16 semester units of courses in the related specialty area discipline may be substituted for two years of required experience).

Salary and Benefits
Anticipated Hiring Range: $70,000 - $86,000 annually
Classification Range: $57,744 - $100,176 annually
Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees’ Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information.
Cal Poly
Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.
Diversity Statement
At Cal Poly, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly’s values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.
Cal Poly’s commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. Cal Poly is an equal opportunity employer.

Please refer the Job description for details