Technician - Open Lab

Department: Learning Commons and Open Labs

General Statement of Job

The Open Lab Technician provides customer support and lab maintenance within the Learning Commons Open Labs department. Assists and provides technical support to patrons with the use of computers, software applications, makerspace technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), in addition to providing presentations of services and approved department technologies.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Supports patrons with the use of computers, equipment, and software applications.
• Provides excellent customer service when addressing patron needs.

• Addresses patron complaints and concerns in a professional and ethical manner.

• Applies and enforces lab rules and safety standards.
• Assists in the installation of computer, peripherals, and equipment.
• Updates and maintains computers.
• Provides patrons assistance with questions pertaining to college resources.
• Assists with the maintenance and support of laptop checkout programs.
• Provides customer support and technical assistance in the use of makerspace technologies such as but not limited to 3D printers, laser cutters, mixed reality technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) and other approved technologies.
• Provides basic guidance and technical assistance to patrons in the responsible use of college-approved artificial intelligence applications and emerging technologies.
• Assists with demonstrations, workshops, presentations, and other learning activities related to artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and makerspace technologies.
• Maintains current knowledge of department technologies and processes through departmental training(s).
• Opens and closes the open labs for the day-to-day operations.
• Maintains open labs cleaned and sanitized at all times.
• Supports the departments marketing efforts by distributing marketing materials, provides tours, and conducting presentations.
• Prepares custom lab reports.
• Distributes interdepartmental mail and sensitive documents.
• Supports and assists with the departments inventory management efforts.
Completes assigned college and departmental trainings including those that might require in state or out of state travel.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Associate's degree required; computer related field preferred.
• At least one (1) year of experience in computer lab setting or related area preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills, including active listening, conflict resolution, empathy, friendliness, and patience.
• Strong computer and digital technology skills, including knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications, Windows and Mac operating systems, computer networking, internet research, artificial intelligence tools, and other emerging technologies.
• Software knowledge in Adobe Creative Cloud (Acrobat, Photoshop, InDesign, Premier, etc.) and related software.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and complete multiple tasks with attention to detail, within stated deadlines.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Must be willing and able to work various hours, various locations, rotating shifts and weekends to support the department operations.
• Ability to travel throughout the college district using own means of reliable transportation.
• Demonstrated commitment to achieving the vision and mission of South Texas College.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of students, customers or employees of organization.
• Ability to apply practical understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Checks, Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

• Security Sensitive position: all applicants are subject to a criminal background check under South Texas College policy.
• Must have or qualify for a valid Texas driver's license and proof of liability insurance.
• Microsoft products certifications, preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
• Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand.
• Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction.
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound.
• Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
• Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.
• Standing particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, and/or extensive reading, including color, depth perception, and field vision.
• Visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned or to make general observations of facilities or structures.
• Mobility to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.