Geosciences Technician

Position Summary

The Geosciences Technician supports faculty and students in teaching, research, and field-based experiential learning. This staff position combines technical support for laboratory, field, and computing resources. The position plays a critical role in ensuring that the department's field-based, experiential learning–focused curriculum is delivered safely, efficiently, and inclusively.

Review of applications will begin June 1, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

Responsibilities

Field Trip and Experiential Learning Support (30%)

• Coordinate logistics for all departmental field trips, including transportation, lodging, permits, safety planning, and accessibility accommodations.
• Support field trips with faculty, contributing disciplinary expertise and ensuring safe, effective student learning experiences.

Departmental Operations & Safety (30%)

• Serve as Departmental Chemical Hygiene and Safety Officer overseeing laboratory and field safety compliance.
• Curate and maintain departmental teaching and research collections and displays.
• Order classroom supplies and coordinate shipping/receiving of equipment.
• Support departmental functions (e.g., weekly GeoLunch, speaker events)

Technical and Laboratory Support (25%)

• Prepare, maintain (including cleaning and storing), troubleshoot, and repair laboratory, analytical, classroom, and field equipment and/or materials.
• Support senior thesis students with technical and field training and support as needed.
• Provide technical support for analytical instrumentation not currently supported by other staff positions (e.g., optical microscopy lab).

Computing and Technology Support (15%)

• Maintain and troubleshoot departmental computers, including installing/upgrading hardware, software, and printers.
• Support geospatial and computational software not maintained by LITS and used in teaching and research within the department (e.g., ArcGIS, photogrammetry, remote sensing, drone mapping).

• Perform other duties as assigned

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Geoscience, Environmental Science, or closely related field with professional experience required, Master's degree preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong organizational and logistical skills; ability to manage complex field trip planning.
• Supervisory skills for guiding student helpers or students working with department equipment.
• Strong communication skills and ability for collaborating with both faculty and students and for training students in use of departmental equipment and computers.
• Demonstrated experience with geoscience field methods, laboratory instrumentation, and/or geospatial technologies (e.g., ArcGIS, drone mapping, etc.).
• Ability to maintain computers, including installing/upgrading hardware, software, and printers.
• Willingness to keep abreast of advances in analytical and field equipment and computer systems through subscriptions, seminars, and reading.
• Demonstrated commitment to laboratory and field safety.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work as part of a team in a teaching-focused department with a diverse student body.
• Willingness and ability to prepare and maintain department collections and displays.
• Ability to work with outside vendors for purchasing, technical and general information (mechanical/electrical, operation, ratings, pricing, etc.).
• Must have a driver's license and be comfortable driving vans.

Compensation Range:

$26.00 - $29.00 per hour