Laboratory/Safety Technician

Below is our job description for this position. Please also review the Important Instructions & Additional Information section below, which contains valuable information about our application process.

Basic Function

Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, assemble and dismantle chemistry laboratory experiments; maintain, monitor and store a variety of chemicals; coordinate and monitor the disposal of hazardous waste materials.

Representative Duties

Assemble and dismantle chemistry laboratory and classroom experiments; assist in the development and evaluation of laboratory manuals; develop, implement and maintain a laboratory safety program in compliance with standard regulations; recommend procedural improvements.

Issue chemistry laboratory equipment to students and staff; inspect equipment upon return; track and report breakage debts; collect and deposit breakage payments from students; maintain related records.

Estimate need for and prepare special reagents and precise chemical solutions for laboratory classroom use; maintain related records; assist in the coordination of the use of laboratory facilities; assure the availability of supplies and equipment.

Maintain laboratory environment in a safe, clean and orderly condition; control and maintain hazardous waste materials produced during laboratory experiments; assure proper chemical storage and hazardous waste disposal.

Perform campus-wide hazardous materials safety assessment; assist in the training process of college personnel and students regarding hazardous materials usage; respond to hazardous spills on campus; determine need for professional response; coordinate the legal disposal of hazardous waste.

Assist in monitoring compliance with environmental and labor regulations regarding hazardous materials; secure permits related to the legal storage and use of hazardous materials.

Inventory and order new chemicals, supplies and equipment for the chemistry laboratory and stockroom; submit justifications and cost estimates; monitor and control expenditures.

Organize stockroom; adjust, clean, maintain and perform minor repairs to equipment; coordinate laboratory equipment maintenance and servicing; maintain related records.

Prepare and maintain various records and reports including hazardous waste reports related to laboratory and stockroom operations and activities as required.

Train and provide work direction to students workers and assigned staff; assign and review work; participate in the selection of new employees.

Operate a variety of equipment related to the specialized area of assignment.

Attend and participate in a variety of meetings as assigned.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination equivalent to: Bachelor's degree with course work in chemistry, physics, physical science or a related field and two years of increasingly responsible laboratory experience.

Knowledge & Abilities

KNOWLEDGE OF
Operation, preparation and maintenance of a chemistry laboratory.
Principles and practices of chemical storage.
Laws, rules and regulations related to assigned activities.
Advanced principles of chemistry and physics.
Materials and equipment used in experiments.
Health and safety regulations.
Principles and practices of providing work direction and training.
Record-keeping and report preparation techniques.
Curriculum, goals and objectives of the department.
Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
Oral and written communication skills.
Proper methods of storing equipment, materials and supplies.
Proper methods of hazardous waste disposal.
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
Technical aspects of field of specialty.
Inventory methods and practices.
Operation of a variety of equipment related to the specialized area of assignment including a computer.

ABILITY TO
Assemble and dismantle chemistry laboratory experiments.
Interpret, explain and apply laws, rules and regulations related to hazardous materials.
Safely clean up and dispose of hazardous materials.
Properly assemble and store chemistry equipment, materials and supplies.
Prepare special reagents and precise chemical solutions Issue and receive equipment and supplies.
Maintain equipment in proper working order.
Perform light repairs to equipment.
Maintain records and prepare reports related to work performed.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Train and provide work direction to others.
Assign and review the work of others.
Meet schedules and time lines.
Work independently with little direction.
Operate a variety of equipment related to the specialized area of assignment including a computer.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Important Instructions & Additional Information

Complete applications received by the "assured consideration date" above are guaranteed to be reviewed by Human Resources. If you apply after this date, there is no guarantee that your application will be reviewed. However, we still recommend that you apply because recruitments remain open and are posted until filled. The District and/or College reserves the right to extend time limits and/or repost or restart recruitments at any point.

Completed applications must include the following.

• Completed online application for employment
• Current resume
• Letter of interest (cover letter)
• List of 5 (five) professional references (entered in online application)
• Copy of legible transcripts (if required for the position)

It is the applicant's responsibility to redact or remove any personally identifiable information from all documents prior to uploading. This includes Social Security Numbers, Date of Birth, photos, etc.

International or Foreign Degrees

Applicants with international or foreign degrees from colleges or universities outside of the United States must have their coursework evaluated by a professional association that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, INC. (ACEI). A copy of the evaluation must be submitted with your online application.

Accommodations

Applicants who require reasonable accommodation to participate in the selection process should contact Human Resources to make the necessary arrangements. (For more information, see our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equal Employment Opportunities website.)

Discrimination Free Work Environment

Discrimination based on race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation of any person, military and veteran status, or the perception that a person has one or more of these characteristics is illegal and violates Kern Community College District policy.

The Kern CCD Equal Employment Opportunity Plan guides the development, implementation, and monitoring of the District's efforts to foster equal employment opportunities and workplace diversity.

See our Discrimination-Free Work Environment webpage for more information.

Work Authorization

Kern Community College District does not provide sponsorship for authorization to work in the United States. Work authorization should be established at the time of application submission.

E-Verify

The Kern Community College District participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, please visit e-verify.gov.

Helpful Links

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Benefits

Faculty Minimum Qualifications/Equivalency Process

Full-time permanent employees (20+ hours per month) are eligible for health benefits:

• Health

• Dental

• Vision

• Life Insurance

• Long-term Disability

In addition to the above benefits, the District also offers a robust voluntary benefits selection:

• Flex 125

• Additional products and services through American Fidelity

• Supplemental Voluntary Life Insurance

• Tax Shelter Annuities

The District participates in CalPERS Retirement System and Social Security benefits for Classified and Management employees. Employees covered under the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), are vested 100% after five years of full-time service credit.

The District participates in the State Teacher's Retirement System (STRS) for faculty. Employees covered under the State Teacher's Retirement System (STRS), are vested 100% after five years of full-time service credit.

The following classifications are eligible for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health benefits at the employee expense offered through SISC:

• Permanent Employees (19 hours or less)
• Adjuncts
• Temporary Hourly
• Professional Experts