Senior Science Laboratory Associate, Chemistry (2023)
MiraCosta College

For full details and to apply, go to https://jobs.miracosta.edu/postings/3791

Type of Assignment: Full Time
Assignment Category: Regular Position

Position Details:
One regular, full-time, extended-day position, typically 40 hours per week, equivalent to 11 months spread over 12 months per year on the Oceanside Campus and/or the San Elijo Campus in Cardiff. The department would like to discuss a flexible work schedule with the individual selected that would be Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 am - 6:00 pm. Depending on when classes are scheduled each semester, the work schedule may include Saturdays and evenings. The person selected for this position will be subject to assignment to any district facility during any hours of operation.

This is an “extended-day” position, subject to possible fluctuations in daily working hours, and may be exempt from compensation for overtime in excess of eight (8) hours in one day. Hours worked in excess of forty (40) hours in a week period shall be compensated on an overtime basis.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT:

MiraCosta College Board Policy 7800: Employee Residency requires all classified staff, administrators, and temporary/hourly short-term employees to maintain and permanently reside in a principal place of residence in the state of California that is within two-hundred (200) road miles from the employee's regularly assigned district worksite. The purpose of the policy is to promote efficiency and continuity throughout all campus administrative functions, provide students with high quality assistance and accessibility to all academic and campus services, ensure that students receive an engaging education, and respond to emerging student needs.

The District may consider an individual request to temporarily reside outside of the State of California or outside the 200-mile limit on a case-by-case basis, not to exceed twelve consecutive months.



Salary Range: 26
Compensation: Starting at $70,905.08 or $74,794.50 per year ($34.09 or $35.96 per hour), salary range 26, step 1 or 2 on the 2023-2024 classified salary schedule. Initial step placement will be determined based on directly related experience, with annual salary step increases up to step 5. In addition, after five years of district service, employees earn a longevity stipend that increases over time.

Employees must make arrangements for the direct deposit of paychecks into the financial institution of their choice, via electronic fund transfer.



Benefits:
MiraCosta College offers an array of benefits to eligible employees.

• The district pays 100% of the cost of medical, dental and vision insurance for eligible employees and dependents
• $100,000 life insurance policy
• Up to $250 of benefit credits per month to help pay for a variety of voluntary benefit options, such as supplemental life insurance, disability coverage, and health care/dependent care flexible spending account (FSA)
• Vacation, sick leave, and up to 18 paid holidays
• State pension system retirement benefits (CalPERS)
• Free and confidential employee assistance program
• Wellness Program
• Participation in the District’s Early Retirement Program
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Tuition fee reimbursement
• Childcare Facility (Oceanside Campus)

Position Term in Months: 11 months spread over 12 months

Application Procedure:
In order to be considered for this position, you must submit the following documents directly in the online system and finish applying and receive a confirmation number by 11:59 PM on the closing date:

1. Application on which you list all relevant experience.

2. A current resume or curriculum vitae summarizing your educational background and experience.

3. A cover letter addressed to the “Screening and Interview Committee” specifically describing how your experience aligns with the Essential Duties, Other Duties, and Desirable Qualifications.

4. Transcripts of college coursework which provide evidence of meeting the minimum qualifications as stated in this job posting. Unofficial or legible photocopies are acceptable. If a degree(s) was earned, the transcripts must state that the degree was awarded. Any degree/coursework used to satisfy the minimum qualifications must be from a postsecondary institution accredited by an accreditation agency recognized by either the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation.

If your degree(s) is from a college or university outside of the United States, you must submit a detailed evaluation from a professional evaluation agency. To view a list of agencies approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, go to https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/foreign-transcript-evaluation-(cl-635). Transcripts or translations in English still require the evaluation to show the U.S. equivalence of your degree.

The screening and interview committee will review application materials for up to three to four weeks following the closing/first screening date. Applicants selected for interview will be contacted by phone; those not selected for interview will be notified by e-mail once interview candidates have been scheduled.



Basic Function:
Under general supervision, lead and participate in the work of other Science Laboratory Technicians and student assistants engaged in preparing laboratory equipment, materials and supplies to support student learning in assigned science laboratories; coordinate and manage multiple science laboratories in different building and campus locations; prepare and track laboratory budgets and prepare purchase requisitions; and provide assistance to instructors in developing laboratory demonstrations and experiments; work with faculty in preparing demonstrations, modifying lab activities and developing new experiments to support classroom learning.



Distinguishing Characteristics:
A Senior Science Laboratory Associate is distinguished from a Science Laboratory Technician in that an incumbent in the latter class prepares and maintains laboratory equipment, materials and supplies and provides assistance to instructors during lab classes.



Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

1. Participate in selecting, training and providing day-to-day lead work direction to other staff and student assistants; assign and monitor work for completeness, accuracy and conformance with district, department and legal/regulatory requirements and standards; monitor work flow to ensure that mandated deadlines are being met in an optimal manner; provide information, instruction and training on work procedures and technical/legal/regulatory and safety requirements; provide input to supervisor on employee work performance and behaviors; assist in ensuring a fair and open work environment in accordance with the district’s mission goals and values.

2. Coordinate laboratory staff schedules and coverage and the writing and maintenance of laboratory documents and records including stockroom guidelines, student locker assignments and other files.

3. Assist in managing the laboratory budget; research vendors for price and quality; prepare purchase requisitions for inventory replenishment; set up blanket purchase orders and contracts for service of equipment and instrumentation; maintain an inventory of chemicals and other materials, supplies and consumables required for laboratory use; track usage to anticipate future requirements; organize and ensure safe storage of chemicals and hazardous materials.

4. Coordinate and ensure the safety of the laboratory environment; provide instruction and demonstrate safety procedures to Science Laboratory Technicians, student assistants and students; monitor activities in the laboratory to ensure safety procedures are followed; inspect and main¬tain laboratory safety equipment such as eye washer, shower, fire extinguisher, respirator and safety kits; report the need for any repairs; maintain and update MSDS notebooks as required by law; maintain accident report guidance documents and files of accident reports.

5. Oversee the work of student assistants engaged in maintaining and ensuring laboratory cleanliness to protect the health and safety of students, faculty and staff, including cleaning and sanitizing classroom and laboratory furniture, work surfaces and equipment and washing glassware.

6. Participate in preparing, setting up, monitoring and breaking down equipment and materials for laboratory classes, exercises and experiments; create recipes, test, calculate, mix, prepare, label and store a variety of chemical solutions, reagents, media, compounds, bacterial cultures and samples; perform tissue culturing and bacterial work in a sterile environment; test processes and identify sound and safe methods to streamline preparation for lab classes; work with faculty in preparing demonstrations, modifying lab activities and developing new experiments to support classroom learning.

7. Maintain, recalibrate and repair laboratory equipment and instrumentation including micro-scopes, gas chromatographs, high-performance liquid chromatographs, spectrophotometers, FTIR, NMR spectrometer, centrifuges, sterile hoods, pipettes, pH meters, laptops and other laboratory equipment; maintain an inventory of replacement parts; arrange for major repairs by outside vendors.

8. Prepare hazardous waste labels; store and dispose of chemicals, solutions, biological speci-mens and other hazardous materials in accordance with college policies and proce¬dures and state and federal requirements; arrange for pickup of hazardous waste.



Other Duties:
1. Maintain cadavers and other specimens in excellent condition for instructional use.

2. Perform research on new equipment and recommend purchases and replacements within budget limitations.

3. Collect field samples required for assigned laboratories; manage and ensure quality control for a microscope slide inventory for lab courses.

4. Make logistical arrangements for field studies and science outings.

5. Solicit and coordinate with others to receive donations of equipment and supplies from local firms.

6. Train and oversee the work of student assistants; demonstrate tasks and lab safety procedures.

7. Maintain department shared electronic workspace records and course-specific resources.

8. Perform related duties as assigned



Knowledge Of:
1. Subject-matter areas at the graduate level in the area of assignment including, where applicable, theory, concepts, scientific fundamentals, methods and processes, tools, equipment and instrumentation used in the scientific discipline.

2. Formulas, equations, solutions, substances, weights and measures, reactions and symbols used in the assigned area of scientific specialty.

3. Methods and practices of student instruction and tutoring.

4. Use and operation of computers with standard business and specialized software and methods and procedures for diagnosing and resolving minor hardware and software problems in a classroom or laboratory environment.

5. Office practices and procedures, including recordkeeping.

6. District practices and procedures for budgeting and purchasing.

7. College environmental safety policies and procedures and safety methods and practices applicable to the assigned laboratory, including the safe mixing, storing and disposing of hazardous chemicals and biohazards in accordance with state and federal requirements.

8. Written and oral communication skills including correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.



Ability To:
1. Assist faculty and instructors in planning, organizing and preparing classroom and laboratory demonstrations, experiments and classroom/laboratory materials.

2. Demonstrate and walk students through operations of specialized instrumentation, equipment, tools, hardware and software in an assigned scientific lab.

3. Organize, set priorities and exercise sound, independent judgment within areas of responsibility.

4. Assign and inspect the work of Science Laboratory Technicians and student assistants.

5. Train, demonstrate, inspect, enforce and monitor safe work practices and safety compliance by instructors, staff, student assistants and students in a laboratory environment with hazardous chemicals and biohazards.

6. Provide effective tutoring, instruction and guidance to students in subject-matter areas applicable to area of assignment; accurately, thoroughly and clearly answer students’ subject-matter, equipment-use and technology questions.

7. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

8. Understand and follow written and oral instructions.

9. Analyze problems, evaluate alternatives and recommend or adopt effective courses of action.

10. Understand, interpret, explain and apply applicable laws, codes and regulations.

11. Present proposals and recommendations clearly, logically and persuasively.

12. Operate a computer and standard business software.

13. Use tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex issues, situations and concerned people.

14. Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, gender, sexuality and disability issues.

15. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.



Education & Experience:
To be eligible for this position, you must meet and provide evidence of the following minimum qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in the assigned scientific discipline, and two years of experience in a scientific laboratory that provided experience in the use of equipment and instrumentation in conducting scientific experiments; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Experience working with college-age students in an organized educational environment is desirable.

NOTE: For work experience, one “year” is defined as equivalent to 40 hours per week for 12 months, or at least 2,080 hours.



Desirable Qualifications:
1. At least two years’ experience working in a chemistry laboratory, preferably in an instructional setting.

2. Experience in the following: preparing experiments and prep sheets for chemistry lab course; chemical stockroom organization, upkeep, and inventory; maintaining and operating instruments for chemical analysis such as FTIR, NMR, UV-VIS spectrometry, liquid chromatography, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.

3. Working with PC computers, especially computer-based control of instruments, inventory systems, and Vernier software and technology.

4. Strong organizational skills in inventory management, budgeting, ordering chemicals and supplies, preparing experiments, maintaining lab schedules, etc.

5. OSHA HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) certification.

6. Ability to perform simple mechanical and/or electronic repairs.

7. Proficiency with MS Word, MS Excel, and other job-related software and ability to learn Workday.

8. Ability to attend faculty meetings, participate on committees, and attend conferences, classes, and/or workshops to maintain, update, and increase knowledge and skills in the chemistry field.

9. Operate District vehicles as required.

10. Ability to work and communicate effectively with instructors and students.



Licenses & Other Requirements:
A valid California driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the district’s vehicle insurance program.

Completion of annual lab safety training is required for continued employment.



Physical Effort:
The physical efforts described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Frequent standing, walking, bending and stooping; occasional lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing 50 pounds or more; ability to work at a computer, including repetitive use of a computer keyboard, mouse or other control devices; ability to travel to a variety of locations on and off campus as needed to conduct district business.



Emotional Effort:
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships involving interactions and communications personally, by phone and in writing with a variety of individuals and/or groups from diverse backgrounds on a regular, ongoing basis; ability to concentrate on detailed tasks for extended periods and/or intermittently while attending to other responsibilities; ability to work effectively under pressure on multiple tasks concurrently while meeting established deadlines and changing priorities.



Working Conditions:
Instructional lab environment; subject to equipment and chemical hazards, fumes, loud noise, dust, extreme temperatures. Subject to frequent interruptions by individuals in person or by telephone and intermittent exposure to individuals acting in a disagreeable fashion. May work at any district location or authorized facility with occasional evenings and/or weekends on an as-needed basis. Occasional local travel may be requested.



Posting Number: S23/24016P
Human Resources Contact Information: jobs@miracosta.edu or 760.795.6854
Job Close Date: 10/16/2023
Open Until Filled:
First Screening Date:

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
MiraCosta College is committed to creating a racially just campus climate. Individuals and their diverse cultures and identities are welcomed, nurtured, and validated. MiraCosta College takes institutional responsibility for closing the equity gap for disproportionately impacted populations including Latinx and Chicanx communities, Black and African American communities, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, Native American communities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) communities, veteran communities, former foster youth, adult students, and students from low socioeconomic statuses. MiraCosta will continue to serve all constituents with values rooted in equity, diversity, inclusion, and community.MiraCosta College’s Mission, Vision, Commitment, and Institutional Values & Goals – https://pa-hrsuite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/3050/docs/105281.pdf

About MiraCosta College
MiraCosta College is one of California's 115 public community colleges. The district operates two campus sites and two centers, and offers a robust online education program. Situated between San Diego and Los Angeles, MiraCosta College benefits from multicultural influences and cultural opportunities. Both students and staff enjoy a friendly atmosphere and the feeling that we are all here to help one another. MiraCosta College is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. For more details, please visit our website at https://www.miracosta.edu/office-of-the-president/board-of-trustees/_docs/3400BP-Diversity-Equity-Inclusion.pdf





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