Instructional Support Tech III

Full-time, on-site position.

Anticipated hiring range: $5,044 – $5,353 monthly (CSU classification range: $5,044 – $7,348).

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• CalPERS retirement participation
• CSU tuition waiver
• Up to 24 vacation days per year
• Sick leave with unlimited accrual
• 15 paid holidays per year

About the role

Under general supervision of the Dean of the College of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering (NSME), and with daily lead direction from the Associate Dean, NSME GO Director, and Department Chair, the Instructional Support Technician III provides comprehensive instructional, technical, operational, and safety support services for the Environmental Studies Area (ESA), NSME greenhouse facilities, and school-wide laboratory operations. The incumbent coordinates and maintains facilities, living collections, environmental support systems, specialized equipment, materials, and resources that support instructional programs, faculty and student research, conservation education activities, and community engagement initiatives. The position serves as the primary coordinator for ESA and greenhouse operations, ensuring continuous functionality, maintenance, and availability of facilities and resources used in teaching, research, and public education programs. Additionally, the incumbent serves as the NSME Safety Officer, coordinating safety compliance, hazardous materials management, laboratory safety training, inspections, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

ESA & Greenhouse Operations, Technical Support, & Research Services

• Oversee and coordinate daily operations of the Environmental Studies Area (ESA) and NSME greenhouse facilities, ensuring facilities remain functional, safe, and available to support instructional activities, student projects, faculty research, and community engagement programs.
• Maintain and monitor living collections, including native plant species, greenhouse specimens, tortoise habitat resources, and the ESA cactus and succulent collection, ensuring appropriate environmental conditions and continuous care.
• Monitor, inspect, test, adjust, and perform minor maintenance on greenhouse equipment, environmental control systems, irrigation systems, and related infrastructure; identify operational deficiencies; coordinate equipment repairs, replacements, facility improvement projects, and contractor services; serve as the technical liaison with Facilities Management, vendors, and service providers.
• Perform routine inspection, adjustment, calibration, testing, and minor maintenance of greenhouse equipment and environmental control systems; coordinate repairs and communicate technical specifications and equipment issues.
• Develop and implement operational schedules, maintenance plans, and facility use procedures that maximize utilization of the ESA and greenhouse facilities while minimizing downtime of equipment and systems.
• Support faculty and students utilizing the ESA and greenhouse facilities for laboratory instruction, independent study projects, field-based learning activities, and faculty and student research initiatives.
• Assist faculty and instructional staff in preparing materials, specimens, equipment, and resources required for biology laboratories and other instructional activities.
• Coordinate logistics and facility use for conservation education programs, K-12 outreach activities, community organizations, and campus users, including scheduling events, reserving facilities, and communicating program information.
• Develop, prepare, and distribute educational, interpretive, and instructional materials supporting ESA conservation education programs and outreach initiatives.
• Assist faculty with the development and delivery of training programs for school personnel, youth program leaders, volunteers, and other community partners participating in ESA educational programs.
• Serve as liaison with K-12 schools, conservation organizations, media representatives, campus departments, community groups, and the Kern County Turtle and Tortoise Club to support educational programming, habitat activities, and collaborative initiatives.
• Procure materials, supplies, equipment, and services required for ESA and greenhouse operations; identify and obtain specialized resources needed to support instructional and research activities.
• Assist with planning and administration of operational budgets, grants, gifts, donations, and special projects; monitor expenditures, reconcile accounts, prepare billing requests, and track revenues and expenditures associated with ESA and greenhouse activities.
• Maintain inventories of equipment, supplies, and living resources; conduct periodic audits and maintain electronic inventory management systems and operational records.
• Maintain accurate operational, financial, programmatic, inventory, and facility records in both electronic and paper formats.
• Recruit, train, schedule, and provide lead work direction to student assistants, interns, volunteers, and other support personnel engaged in ESA and greenhouse activities.
• Serve on the Center for Environmental Studies Committee and implement approved recommendations, initiatives, and projects supporting ESA operations and programming.
• Ensure greenhouse facilities are maintained in a clean, organized, and research-quality condition through regular sanitation, preventative maintenance, and facility upkeep activities.

NSME Lab Safety & Compliance Coordination

• Maintain required HAZWOPER and other safety certifications and training necessary to support laboratory, greenhouse, and hazardous materials operations.
• Serve as a member of the NSME Emergency Response Team and assist with emergency preparedness, response planning, and incident coordination.
• Serve as the NSME Safety Officer and implement recommendations of the NSME Safety Committee in collaboration with Safety & Risk Management (SRM).
• Assist SRM with implementation and ongoing compliance of mandated safety requirements, policies, and procedures, including those established under Executive Order 1039 and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Coordinate and monitor annual safety training compliance for students, faculty, staff, laboratories, and operational areas within NSME.
• Collect, audit, maintain, and retain required laboratory safety documentation and student safety training records in accordance with university and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct periodic laboratory, greenhouse, storage area, and facility safety inspections to assess compliance with safety regulations, hazardous materials requirements, protective equipment standards, waste management procedures, and housekeeping expectations.
• Collaborate with the NSME Safety Committee, faculty, staff, and SRM to identify, communicate, and resolve safety concerns and compliance deficiencies.
• Assist the campus Chemical Hygiene Officer in communicating OSHA, EPA, and other regulatory updates affecting NSME instructional and research operations.
• Assist with maintaining Safety Data Sheet (SDS) databases, chemical inventories, hazardous materials records, and safety management systems including VelocityEHS and Risk and Safety Solutions.
• Coordinate periodic reviews of departmental chemical inventories and assist with chemical management, storage, handling, and disposal activities.
• Manage the NSME 90-day hazardous waste accumulation area and maintain required hazardous waste records and documentation.
• Coordinate standardized safety signage, labeling, and hazard communication efforts throughout NSME facilities.
• Procure, distribute, monitor, and maintain safety equipment, personal protective equipment, chemicals, supplies, and related materials necessary to support safe laboratory and greenhouse operations.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation related to safety inspections, compliance activities, hazardous materials management, training programs, and corrective actions.

Requirements

Equivalent to one of the following:

• Four years of experience providing instructional support services for a related unit or discipline, or in producing materials or supplies or repairing equipment in a discipline related to specialty area to which assigned.
• 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, substituting for one year of the required experience. Applicant must upload transcripts to application.
• Four years of college with 16 semester units in courses involving extensive use of materials, supplies, or equipment and in a discipline related to the specialty area to which assigned, substituting for two years of the required experience. Applicant must upload transcripts to application.

Qualifications

• Valid CA driver’s license or ability to obtain by date of hire.
• 40 hours or more of HAZWOPER training.
• Successful completion of pre-employment physical exam and background check.

Skills

• Regular and reliable attendance.
• Knowledge of principles and methods related to performing support services.
• Knowledge of principles, information, methods, and techniques related to the assigned discipline.
• Knowledge of materials and supplies related to the curriculum, their characteristics, and uses.
• Ability to plan, organize, and schedule work.
• Ability to operate and repair technical and scientific equipment.
• Ability to coordinate support services to meet a comprehensive variety of needs.
• Ability to develop off-campus resources related to the discipline for obtaining materials or equipment.
• Knowledge of common safety procedures for handling and storage of chemicals and bio-waste and handling hazardous waste.
• Knowledge of Safety Data Sheet program management.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a 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 within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information clearly and understandably.
• 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 objectives and meet deadlines.