Job Summary

The primary functions of this Instructional Support Technician position are to provide comprehensive technical and advisory support for all the biochemistry lab courses (total annual enrollment is over 800 students) as well as biochemistry student/faculty research activities, and serve as the Safety Coordinator for the entire Chemistry and Biochemistry Department. This includes responsibilities which require 24-hour a day support since materials often need to be fresh or at a certain growth phase, and refrigeration/environmental control systems must be maintained during periods of power outage. Additionally, the incumbent must be able to perform the duties of the other IST positions in the department as needs arise, and therefore must have working knowledge of those positions. 

Under general supervision, the incumbent of this Instructional Support Technician position, with independent application of knowledge and experience, prepares laboratories for instruction, including reagent preparation and equipment installation, maintenance, minor repair, and modification, in all cases employing a comprehensive knowledge of both scientific and technical principles. This position is responsible for purchasing the necessary materials and equipment, which are sometimes rare and unique, necessary to support teaching and research activities.

As the department Safety Coordinator this position is responsible for the maintenance of all safety compliance records and develops departmental policies and procedures that ensure adherence to the campus Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) and current prudent practice in academic laboratories.

This is a 6-month temporary per diem rehired annuitant position with the possibility of an extension.

Department Summary

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is a major academic unit within the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics that offers nearly 40,000 student credit units per year. The Department provides BS degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry, offers a Biotechnology minor, and a concentration in Polymers and Coatings. A sizeable portion of the curriculum is laboratory-based science and nearly half of the courses offered each year are lab courses. Faculty, staff and students work cooperatively on a number of research projects. Currently, there are over 300 majors in the Department. Additionally, the Department provides chemistry courses to many client departments, offering well over 7000 seats annually in these service courses. The Department is composed of 33 tenure/tenure track faculty, 13 full-time lecturers, several part-time faculty, two clerical staff and six technical support staff members.

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Must have knowledge in proper handling and storage of hazardous chemicals, hazardous chemical and biological waste, compressed gases, and cryogenic fluids.
• 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.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure, policies and procedures.

Education and Experience

• Equivalent to 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.

• 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 discipline related to the specialty area to which assigned may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $33.65 - $41.35 hourly

Classification Range: $27.76 - $48.16 hourly

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information.

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Diversity Statement

At Cal Poly, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.
Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. Cal Poly is an equal opportunity employer.

Supplemental Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.