Instructional Lab Technician II - Biology (Temporary Assignment)

Ventura County Community College District

Salary: $31.96 Hourly

Job Type: Classified

Job Number: 2025-00603

Location: Ventura College (Ventura CA), CA

Department: VC - Academic Affairs

Closing: Continuous

This recruitment is being conducted to fill a temporary assignment and not being conducted to establish an eligibility list from which regular appointments will be made, as such this recruitment may close at any time. Employees hired in this capacity are considered at will and do not accrue property interest in the assignment and are not eligible for benefits.

There is currently one temporary vacancy located at Ventura College.

This assignment will begin during the Spring 2025 semester.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

Under the direction of a Dean and under the work direction of an Instructor, an Instructional Lab Technician II - Biology performs complex technical work related to the biological sciences; oversee the operation and maintenance of a highly technical or complex instructional laboratory including maintaining supplies and preparing labs.

WHERE YOU'LL WORK

Established in 1925, Ventura College was one of the first community colleges in California and currently has an enrollment of 14,500 students. Located approximately 60 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara, the 112-acre campus is set in the rolling hills of Ventura - so close to the ocean that there is a clear view of the Channel Islands from several spots on campus.

More information can be found on the Ventura College website.

WHO WE ARE

The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) is a public community college district serving residents throughout Ventura County. VCCCD's three colleges - Moorpark College, Oxnard College, and Ventura College - offer programs for transfer to four-year colleges and universities; career technical training, basic skills instruction; as well as community service, economic development, and continuing education for cultural growth, life enrichment, and skills improvement.

The Ventura County Community College District recognizes that a diverse community of faculty, staff, and administrators promotes academic excellence and creates an inclusive educational and work environment for its employees, contractors, students, and the community it serves. With the understanding that a diverse community fosters multicultural awareness, promotes mutual understanding and respect, and provides role models for all students, VCCCD is committed to recruiting and employing a diverse and qualified group of administrators, faculty, and staff members who are dedicated to the success of all college students.

The Ventura County Community College District does not engage in any employment practice that discriminates against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of ethnic group identification, race, color, language, accent, immigration status, ancestry, national origin, political beliefs, age, gender, sex, religion, transgender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, and/or physical or mental disability.

Representative Duties

• Prepare and set up laboratory equipment, reagents, biological media and other teaching aids for class demonstrations, practical examinations and student assignments. E
• Maintain stock rooms, laboratories, prep areas and other assigned areas in a safe, clean and orderly condition; encourage awareness of and oversee the proper use of facilities and safe practices. E
• Assure the care and feeding of live specimens including rodents, snakes, frogs, fish/aquariums, plants, algal, fungal and bacterial cultures. E
• Prepare and issue materials and equipment for student use; monitor and maintain records of materials and equipment on loan to or checked out by students and instructors. E
• Order, receive and arrange for proper storage and handling of biological specimens, chemicals and laboratory equipment; provide certain lab materials from local terrain or stores; inventory materials and assure adequate quantities are available for instructional use; monitor supply budget. E
• Perform technical microbiological preparation with extensive work in media production (tubed, bottled, plated), vital stains, special reagents and aseptic transfers of pathogens and nonpathogens on a routine basis. E
• Employ various sterilization techniques for glassware, media, equipment and apparatus. E
• Test, adjust, maintain and perform minor repairs including necessary calibrations to apparatus and equipment; send equipment out for major repairs. E
• Maintain a variety of files and records regarding instructional materials, inventories and equipment repairs; perform general clerical duties as needed. E
• Screen, select, train and provide work direction for student workers. E
• Use and operate a variety of technical equipment including autoclaves, anaerobic jars, balances, microscopes and others. Biotechnology equipment such as bioreactors, chromatography, and purification systems. E
• Work collaboratively and professionally with faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders from diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, and ethnic communities. E
• Demonstrate cultural humility, sensitivity, and equity-mindedness in working with individuals from diverse communities; model inclusive behaviors; and achieve equity in assignment-related outcomes. E
• Perform related duties as assigned.

E = Essential duties.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination equivalent to: bachelor's degree in biological sciences and two years of work experience in the field of specialty, preferably in an instructional setting.

Supplemental Information

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles, practices, procedures and equipment and terminology of Biological Sciences including microbiology
• Health and safety regulations
• Record?keeping techniques
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary
• Technical aspects of Biology and microbiology
• Oral and written communications skills
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy
• Science laboratory operation at the community college level
• Proper methods of storing equipment, materials and supplies

ABILITY TO:

• Assure the care and security of assigned equipment, specialized materials and supplies
• Assemble, maintain and perform minor repairs on lab equipment
• Demonstrate competence in biological sciences
• Issue and receive equipment and supplies
• Plan and organize work
• Train, select, evaluate and provide work direction to student workers
• Understand and follow oral and written directions
• Work independently with little direction
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working and cooperative relationships with others
• Meet schedules and time lines
• Maintain records and prepare reports
• Operate and maintain related lab equipment
• Demonstrate empathy, value, and appreciation for the experiences of students from diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, and ethnic communities
• Be sensitive to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, and promote and remove barriers to equal opportunity and participation

Working Conditions

ENVIRONMENT: Instructional biology lab environment

PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

• Hearing and speaking to communicate with students and faculty
• Seeing to observe condition of lab and behavior of students
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to set up and operate lab equipment
• Lifting and carrying heavy objects
• Pulling and pushing carts
• Reaching to grasp and move supplies

HAZARDS:

• Exposure to fumes and potentially hazardous solvents used to preserve biological specimens