Instruction & Classroom Support Technician 2 - Biology & Chemistry

Position Overview

Under the general supervision of the Assistant Director of Natural Science Labs (ADNSL), the Instruction & Classroom Support Technician 2 - Biology & Chemistry will coordinate and provide professional/technical instructional laboratory support to undergraduate courses. Lab set-ups are coordinated with the faculty and are completed without direct supervision. The position interacts with the other Instruction & Classroom Support Technicians, Cascadia Science faculty, and University of Washington Bothell (UWB) employees to complete assignments. Questions regarding work/projects are directed to the ADNSL or the department responsible (i.e. Purchasing, UW Environmental Health and Safety) for specific projects as they arise. Duties include (1) procuring and preparing living and preserved specimens, chemicals, equipment, teaching aids and other materials for laboratory instruction, (2) safely maintaining and disposing of chemicals, (3) maintaining laboratory supplies and equipment, (4) preparing weekly laboratory set ups in biology and other science courses as assigned, (5) setting and maintaining the lab space calendar, and 6) attending lab classes to assist instructors. With the faculty and ADNSL, this position coordinates assigned area staffing. 

As an Instruction & Classroom Support Technician 2 - Biology & Chemistry, it is expected that the following qualities will be demonstrated daily: a high degree of understanding and empathy for all students, faculty, staff and visitors, as well as the ability to encourage the inclusion of all voices in decision-making, promoting equity in all areas, and actively working against institutionalized norms of oppression against historically marginalized people.

Essential Duties

Instructional Support:

• Prepare and set up equipment and materials for laboratory experiments using safety procedures in handling hazardous materials such as acids, bases, radiation, etc.
• Search literature to determine methods to improve laboratory techniques and the teaching of scientific principles to students.
• Assist/advise students in laboratory assignments or in discipline subject matter; write, edit or modify laboratory handouts or manuals; modify experiments; advise instructors of potential problems.
• Be available to students outside of scheduled class times to provide lab access and additional supervision.
• Operate /perform routine maintenance and repair tasks on laboratory and demonstration instruments/equipment; instruct numerous, diverse students - including work study students - as well as faculty in the use of equipment.
• Coordinate with University of Washington, Bothell staff in shared and/or overlapping spaces.
• Determine appropriate disposal method for waste generated in laboratory experiments.
• Provide direction to hourly employees or work study students.
• Develop plans for facility and equipment changes.

Lab Monitoring:

• Monitor laboratories to ensure compliance with safety policy; assist in the development of safe laboratory procedures.
• Coordinate use of area laboratory space, equipment, and chemicals.
• Supervise assigned personnel - i.e. work-study students and part time hourly employees.
• Collaborate to ensure even workload and lab responsibilities among the laboratory technicians.

Lab Supplies and Equipment Purchasing:

• Order and dispense supplies, equipment and materials; maintain records.
• Evaluate equipment specifications and make purchase recommendations. 
  Prepare cost estimates.
• Determine need for materials, equipment and instruments necessary for assigned course load; order or procure necessary items within budgetary limitations.
• Assist the ADNSL with computerized inventory of laboratory equipment, materials, and chemicals.

Safety:

• Understand and follow applicable laws, regulations, and other standards to establish and/or maintain a safe work environment.
• Share responsibility for all aspects of the laboratory coordination including instructional support, equipment purchasing, and storeroom activities.
• Recognize important factors that affect the learning environment and modify them appropriately to achieve optimum learning.
• Organize and prioritize tasks to ensure they are accomplished and meet strict deadlines as set forth in syllabus/class schedule.
• Learn and abide by Cascadia College policies and procedures.

Other Duties as Assigned:

• As needed, collaborate with other instructional support areas to coordinate support efficiency (i.e. Bock Center).
• Participate in campus-wide events as directed.
• Participate on hiring committees.
• Participate in other committees as appropriate.
• Assist faculty monitoring students and instructing students of field trips: ensuring a safe environment.
• Performs other related duties of a similar nature or level as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with major study in biology, chemistry, or related life science field OR one year¿s experience as Scientific Instructional Technician OR equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as license/certification/registration.
• Experience with managing chemical and biological wastes in compliance with State and Federal regulations.
• Demonstrated commitment to and interest in diversity, equity and inclusion and the ability to support a multicultural workplace and educational environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Combination of training, formal education and/or research, experience in a biological science field.
• Specific experience in support of chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, or environmental science laboratory curriculum.
• Demonstrated ability to support laboratory instruction in more than one area taught at Cascadia.
• Experience with Western Washington Native and Invasive Plants.
• Prior responsibility for technician support of a college-level science course.
• Experience using aseptic technique.

Knowledge of:

• Chemical use and laboratory safety.
• Self-Knowledge, development and continual learning; actively acquires new skills and competencies; accepts personal responsibility to develop talents and knowledge.

Skill in:

• Demonstrated skill in instructional laboratory support.
• Ability to seek ways to enhance student learning by improving laboratory experience.
• Problem Solving: explores varied sources for answers, using the good ideas of others to help develop solutions.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• All levels of English communication (written and orally); communication in a second language highly desired

Ability to:

• Ability to successfully work with individuals with diverse backgrounds including, but not limited to prior education history, future education goals, English proficiency, race, color, religion, sex and/or gender (including expression), sexual orientation, national origin, age, backgrounds, abilities, and national origin.
• Support and promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the work and educational environment
• Ability to investigate/research external information resources to determine proper procedures and best laboratory practices.
• Ability to work independently under minimal supervision.
• Able to operate effectively in a team, offering accountability and responsibility.
• Ability to facilitate discussions and decisions within a team structure.
• Sensitive to the needs of diverse adult and adolescent learners.

Terms of Employment:
This is a full-time, ten-month Classified position. This position works 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday; may include occasional evening responsibilities. The position is allocated to pay Range 44 under the Higher Education Salary Schedule. Initial salary placement is between the ranges of $3,811.00 - $4,299.00 per month, with yearly step increases to the maximum salary of $5,117.00 (Step M) per month (not including the 5% King County Premium Pay). This is a represented position.

Cascadia College employees receive a 5% King County Premium Pay in addition to base salary for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year.

This position has been designated as a bargaining unit position by the Washington Public Employees Association. Following a successful probationary/trial service period, employees attain permanent status.  
 

Physical Work Environment:

The College is currently in hybrid work operations, with some assignments completed in an online environment. This position is generally expected to be on-campus 4-5 days per week with the option to work remotely on occasion. Employees must provide their own remote workspace and internet access, noting the College will provide technical equipment and support for online work needs. During on-campus operations, this position will perform work in a standard office setting, use standard office equipment and physically attend meetings both on and off campus and requires the ability to communicate in person or through appropriate means. Ability to work weekends and evenings when appropriate or needed may be required.

Positions in this class typically require operating a computer, communicating, observing, and repetitive motions.

Works with high-voltage equipment that poses a risk to individuals with pacemakers or other life-saving electronic medical devices.

May be asked to assist in field work with wet or unstable ground.

Exerting between 10-30 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to transport, put, install, remove, or otherwise move objects with or without reasonable accommodation.
 

Condition of Employment

As an institution that upholds the value of diversity, equity and inclusion of every individual, Cascadia College expects its employees to embody and promote these values. Both current and prospective employees of the College are encouraged to seek deeper understanding in these areas as part of professional growth.

Cascadia College maintains a drug-free work and learning environment and prohibits smoking in all college buildings and state-owned vehicles.

Benefits
Cascadia College offers comprehensive Benefits packages to support you and your family in a variety of ways. All eligible employees, retirees, and their dependents are offered: medical, dental, and vision plan options; life insurance; long-term disability insurance; medical and dependent care reimbursement accounts; leave programs; employee assistance programs; tuition waiver; optional credit union participation; optional home/auto insurance, and retirement planning.

To learn more about the benefits offered here, please click on the Employee Benefits tab located on our Jobs at Cascadia webpage or click here: https://www.cascadia.edu/about/jobs/default.aspx

Campus Safety

In recognition of the Jeanne Clery Act, information on our campus safety can be found at www.uwb.edu/safety.

Cascadia Commitment

Cascadia College is committed to creating and supporting a diverse faculty, staff and student population. Individual differences are celebrated in a community of learners focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. Cascadia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion/creed, sex/gender, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, genetic information, marital or honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, and is prohibited from discrimination in such a manner by college policy and state and federal law. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process may make request to the Human Resources Office by calling (425) 352-8880.