Job No. 541890 Instructional Support Tech I

at  California State University

Job no: 541890
Work type: Staff
Location: Bakersfield
Categories: Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Temporary, Full Time, Student Services, On-site (work in-person at business location)
Position Description
CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Instructional Support Technician I

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE – Equivalent to two years of experience providing instructional support services for a unit or discipline, acting as a student assistant, or in producing materials or supplies related to the discipline.
or
Equivalent to two years of college with 16 semester units in courses involving extensive use of materials, supplies, or equipment and in a discipline related to the area to which assigned may be substituted for one year of the required experience.
or
Equivalent to four years of college with 16 semester units in courses involving extensive use of materials, supplies, or equipment and in a related discipline may be substituted for the experience

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES (SKA’S) –

• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Ability to operate technical equipment related to different biology courses.
• Ability to adjust and perform simple maintenance of technical and scientific equipment.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of procedures and techniques, applicable to courses in cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology.
• Ability to evaluate the materials and supplies used.
• Ability to learn to adjust and make minor repairs on scientific equipment.
• Ability to operate scientific or highly technical equipment and to interpret results.
• Ability to plan activities and prepare schedules.
• Ability to use methods, techniques and skills related to the discipline in preparing specialized materials.
• Knowledge of equipment utilized in these courses.
• Knowledge of common safety procedures for handling and storage of chemicals used in laboratory preparations along with handling both bio-hazardous and hazardous chemical waste.
• Ability to apply independent judgment, discretion, and initiative to address problems and develop practical, thorough and, at times, creative solutions.
• Ability to perform some technical work in modifying materials from the purchased state.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner.
• Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills and competence with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
• Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure.
• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
• Must be able to work overtime, occasional holidays and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment possessing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.
  PHYSICAL DEMANDS: MEDIUM WORK – up to 40% of the activities involve sitting, standing, squatting, kneeling or walking; lifting heavy weight objects limited to 50 pounds; may involve pushing and pulling objects within the weight limits.

Biology Laboratory Course Support

• Organize and schedule the preparation and provision of biological materials, supplies, and technical and non-technical equipment for laboratory courses by collecting materials from a supplied list for each laboratory from storage. Organize delivery to individual teaching laboratories according to the course schedule.
• Prepare subcultures and maintain stocks of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, insects, and other living organisms used in laboratory courses.
• Maintain organisms by performing aseptic techniques, and maintaining environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and light to support optimal growth and health of the organisms.
• Assist faculty in developing new instructional activities and demonstrations by acting as a resource person for materials and equipment utilization.
• Provide technical assistance and support to students and faculty on individual experiments/projects by providing requested materials and equipment as needed, at the lead direction of the Instructional Support Technician III.
• Support the Biology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry departments by recognizing course commonalities related to materials and equipment needed to maintain efficiency in gathering and supplying the materials and equipment for various labs. Communicate any supply bottlenecks to supervisor.

Biology Laboratory Maintenance & Inventory

• Assist with general maintenance of the biology greenhouse including weeding and cleaning as directed. Communicate to supervisor when additional supplies are needed.
• Adjust and calibrate technical equipment (if possible) as directed by supervisor.
• Describe equipment needs or problems when required to Instructional Support Technician III &/or Equipment Technical Support.
• Conduct inventory annually or per term of equipment and accessories with additional smaller inventories as needed. Communicate any inventory inaccuracies to the supervisor for corrective action.
• Maintain the electronic inventory database.

NSME Safety Emergency Support

• Support university safety protocols by following specific procedures and aiding others in following them when needed. Attend safety training and meetings. Collect and organize laboratory safety agreements completed by students and instructors.
• Collaborate with the NSME Safety Officer by coordinating cleaning of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and laboratory equipment as needed and by coordinating the collection and storage of laboratory safety agreements completed by student and instructors.
• Serve as a member of the campus emergency response team and maintain a general awareness of and report any safety/emergency issues that arise.
• Participate on and attend the monthly NSME Safety Committee. Attend additional meetings for specific issues as needed.