Science Lab Technician - Biology

Science Lab Technician - Biology

About the Employer

Hartnell College is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in California. Founded in 1920 as Salinas Junior College, the school was renamed Hartnell College in 1948, and the Hartnell Community College District was established the following year. The College is preparing to join with its students, employees, alums and the greater community to celebrate its Centennial, beginning in Fall 2019.

Hartnell moved into a new building on its current 54-acre site, at 411 Central Ave. in Salinas in 1936. The Main Campus is located in Monterey County, just a 25-minute drive from the scenic Monterey Peninsula and the Monterey Regional Airport. Its Alisal Campus in east Salinas, opened in 2014, houses its Agricultural Business and Technology Institute, its Sustainable Design and Construction Center, a diesel program, an automotive technology program and its computer science program. Hartnell also holds classes at its education center in King City, opened in 2002, and at numerous off-campus locations in north and south Monterey County. Thanks to a $167 million local bond measure - known as Measure T - approved by district voters in 2016, it is preparing to expand that facility and open new centers in Soledad and Castroville, as well as a new state-of-the-art building for its nursing and allied health programs on the Main Campus. Along with renovation of two classroom buildings and new landscaping, also on the Main Campus, those projects are scheduled for completion by 2021.

The College serves the Salinas Valley, a fertile agricultural region some 10 miles wide and 100 miles long, as well as part of southern San Benito County. It draws most of its annual enrollment of 17,000 students from Salinas and the communities of Bradley, Castroville, Chualar, Gonzales, Greenfield, Jolon, King City, Lockwood, Moss Landing, San Ardo, San Lucas and Soledad. Students also come from Monterey Peninsula communities and elsewhere in California's Central Coast, as well as from other states and countries. All are drawn Hartnell's academic excellence and focus on the success of students in its four-year transfer, nursing and technical programs, as well as a proud tradition in intercollegiate athletics, with 12 men's and women's teams.

Job Description / Essential Elements:

Science Lab Technician - Biology

Hartnell Community College

Salary: $5,378.00 - $6,537.00 Monthly

Job Type: Full-Time Classified

Job Number: 202400221

Location: Main Campus 411 Central Avenue, Salinas

Department: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Closing: 7/10/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

Join our team as a Science Lab Technician! Support faculty and students in hands-on Biology labs, manage day-to-day lab operations, and ensure a safe, organized, and well-equipped learning environment.

DESCRIPTION:

Under general supervision, provides instructional support to faculty and students in instructional science labs; oversees day-to-day activities of assigned labs, including setup and cleaning; orders and maintains inventory of materials and supplies; plans and prepares lab setups; ensures the safe operation of instruments, equipment, work processes and the use of hazardous materials; and performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Lab Technician, Science is distinguished from other Lab Technicians by its responsibility for performing complex and highly technical work in a natural and/or applied science laboratory environment including chemistry, biology, biochemistry, agricultural, and life sciences, geology, oceanography, and earth sciences, astronomy, physics and physical sciences, and engineering. Work typically involves mixing, storing, and disposing of hazardous chemicals and frequently involves potential exposure to biohazards. Duties must be carried out in strict compliance with all regulatory and safety requirements.

Examples of Duties

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

Plans, prepares, and sets up materials and coordinates use of shared equipment for a variety of natural and applied science classes, lab procedures, demonstrations and exams.

Provides equipment list and checks in student lockers; orients students and faculty on lab safety procedures including cleanup of chemical spills and hazardous and biological waste and disposal procedures and protocols; performs technical and instructional support duties including setup and demonstrations for lectures and practicums.

Maintains a clean, safe, and orderly learning environment, including cleaning counters and fume hoods and washing, storing, and restocking laboratory glassware and other lab supplies; cleans, sanitizes and stores laboratory equipment.

Maintains inventory of and researches equipment and supply options for labs, storerooms and instrument rooms; participates in obtaining quotes for the procurement of equipment, goods and services; purchases and picks up local supplies; coordinates product deliveries and installation of specialized equipment; orders and receives inventory and works with management and support staff to verify invoices are paid; coordinates with faculty and management to ensure purchases are authorized, processed, ordered, received, and made available for scheduled classes; assists management with monitoring department budgets.

Ensures labs are ready for use during scheduled hours and that equipment is in sound working order; autoclaves and sterilizes equipment and contaminated microbiological media following established procedures; informs on and assists faculty with lab-closing procedures; maintains safe storage and performs disposal of hazardous chemicals, biological materials and other substances in accordance with all regulatory and safety requirements.

Operates a variety of equipment and instruments related to the specialized area of assignment; inspects and maintains lab equipment to ensure safe and proper operation; calibrates, adjusts, maintains, inspects and performs routine equipment maintenance and minor repairs; reports and coordinates major repairs and maintenance.

Assists with recruiting and hiring of student-employees; assists with training program staff and student-employees; assigns, schedules and monitors student-employee work for completeness, accuracy and conformance with college, department and program legal requirements and standards.

Prepares and maintains various records and reports related to lab operations and activities as required, including inventory, damage and repair reports and safety and use records; participates in maintaining and updating lab and equipment standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Maintains a safe, orderly, and secure workplace and learning environment, including classrooms, labs, stockrooms and instrument rooms; contacts appropriate personnel to maintain or dispose of hazardous substances and biological materials according to established procedures; maintains and tests safety cabinet(s), equipment and supplies including eyewash and safety showers; completes safety inspection forms.

Other Functions as Assigned:

Tests, calculates, mixes, prepares, labels and stores a variety of chemical solutions, reagents and compounds; tests procedures and identifies safe methods for organic and inorganic lab sessions and classes.

Grows, collects or purchases biological materials and supplies; calculates volumes, measurements, and weights of media and prepares media for lab use; ensures proper storage, temperature and environment for media growth and storage.

Plants seeds and grows plants based on experimental conditions; maintains plants for long-term lab usage; maintains bacterial cultures; processes specimens.

Assists management, faculty, and program support staff for area(s) with outreach events, open houses, and meetings with industry partners as needed.

Attends conferences and trainings.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Principles, practices, procedures, and equipment for a science labs in area(s) of assignment.

Usage and operations of current and emerging instructional technologies and associated equipment, tools and materials applicable to assigned subject(s).

Care, keeping and propagation of living material and biological specimens for applicable area(s) of assignment.

Current regulations and laws pertaining to regulated substances and chemical wastes.

Proper safety techniques and precautions of the use and disposal of hazardous and/or biological materials.

Operation, calibration, maintenance and repair of common and specialized equipment and instruments.

Math at a level applicable to area(s) of assignment.

Practices of effective inventory management and District purchasing processes for applicable materials in area(s) of assignment.

Safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work being performed.

Federal, state and local laws, regulations and court decisions governing area of assignment including Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and OSHA rules and regulations applicable to laboratory storage safety.

Skills and Abilities to:

Oversee the operations of assigned labs, stockrooms, and instrument rooms including preparing and issuing materials, instruments and equipment needed by students and faculty.

Provide technical support to faculty in planning, organizing and preparing classroom and laboratory demonstrations, experiments and classroom/laboratory materials.

Provide guidance to faculty and students on the safe and proper use of course materials and equipment.

Analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend effective courses of action to management.

Maintain and repair department tools, materials, and equipment; maintain accurate inventory, maintenance, and safety records.

Assign and review the work of student-employees engaged in lab operations; demonstrate, inspect, enforce, and monitor safe work practices and safety compliance in a laboratory environment using hazardous chemicals and biohazards.

Read and understand manuals, specifications, schematic drawings and parts catalogs.

Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Operate a computer and use standard business software.

Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex and confidential student issues and situations.

Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.

Demonstrate an understanding of, sensitivity to, and appreciation for the academic, ethnic, socio-economic, disability and gender diversity of students and employees attending or working on a community college campus.

Supplemental Information

A bachelor's degree in the assigned lab area or a related field, and two (2) years of practical experience in a science laboratory; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Regular full-time, 12 months per year classified position on Main Campus. Weekly Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am -5:00 pm. but must be able to work a flexible schedule as needed (including some late evenings) to accommodate classes. The starting salary is $5,378/month (Step A). Salary range 30 on CSEA salary schedule: $5,378 to $6,537 monthly(5 Steps); District provides health benefits, which currently consist of full medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and a high percentage of coverage for eligible dependents. District-paid life, accident, and income protection insurance is provided for the employee only. Must become a Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) member.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

The following documents MUST be uploaded as attachments to your online application:

1) Resume

2) Cover letter

3) Unofficial College/university transcripts

DIVERSITY STATEMENT:

The following statement MUST be completed in your online application:

Provide a statement about yourself that specifically demonstrates sensitivity to the needs of the diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and the community at large.

FOSTERING A CULTURE OF CARE:

Caring Campus, developed by the Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC), is dedicated to creating a culture of care within community colleges. The objective of IEBC's hartnell.edu/hr/caring-campus.html program is to increase student retention and success. We understand that when students feel connected to their college, they are more likely to succeed academically.

At Hartnell College, we embrace the hartnell.edu/hr/caring-campus.htmlculture. By implementing intentional, campus-wide behavioral commitments, we enhance our existing student success initiatives and create an environment where care and support are integral.

Join us on this journey of fostering a caring environment where students thrive. Together, we can transform Hartnell College into a place where care and success go hand in hand, empowering our students to reach their full potential.

EEO STATEMENT:

Hartnell Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, race, color, language, accent, immigration status, ancestry, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, physical or mental disability consistent with applicable federal and state laws.

To apply, please visit apptrkr/6327960

Copyright 2025 Jobelephant Inc. All rights reserved.

jobelephant/

Requirements / Qualifications

For more information on Requirements/Qualifications, please contact the employer.

Comments and Other Information

For more information on Comments and Other Information, please contact the employer.