Biology Laboratory Support Technician

Division of Academic Affairs

Instructional Support Technician II

*** Temporary Appointment. Appointment anticipated through June 30, 2026 with possible extension. ***

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

Under supervision, performs comprehensive support for instructional programs offered by the Biology Department at the undergraduate and graduate level, as assigned, in addition to research activities as appropriate.

Lab Operation and Maintenance:

Obtains equipment, instruments, and supplies including chemicals, living materials, disposables, supplies, and software for laboratories and research facilities. Sets out materials for laboratories and sets up and calibrates lab equipment for assigned labs. Creates preparation list protocols for assigned laboratories, references laboratory manuals, confers with instructors, researches current materials, methods, and protocols from peer-reviewed journals. Inoculates and maintains living bacterial cultures. Prepares chemical solutions and a variety of bacterial culture media. Performs inoculation and maintenance of bacterial and other cell cultures. Sets, calibrates, and troubleshoots laboratory equipment. Reviews and writes standard operating procedures (SOPs) for laboratory preparation and for equipment use. Troubleshoots and optimizes laboratory experiments at instructors’ request and performs procedures prior to instructor-led activities with students to ensure success of modifications to materials and techniques. Cleans and properly puts away materials and equipment. Provides faculty support by training them in safe and proper independent use of equipment. Collaborates with faculty to develop new instructional design for lab courses. Provides general technical support to faculty research and creative activities as appropriate. Responds to any emergent concerns regarding correct and continuous operation of building equipment and scheduling of repairs with Heating and Air and Facilities Services. This includes chemical vapor hoods and snorkels, cold rooms and refrigerators, electrical outlets, the deionized water supply, leaking pipes, etc.

Lab Safety:

Monitors for regulated substances and arranges for chemical and biological waste disposal. Follows the regulations of federal and state laws concerning laboratory, chemical, and biological safety. Collects and sterilizes biohazardous materials generated within the biology department. Responsible for record keeping of autoclave logs.

Lab Purchasing, Maintenance, and Utilization:

Schedules preventative maintenance and contract services on specialized equipment and maintains all associated records. Reviews lab manuals, evaluates appropriate products needed, prepares material lists, and acquires materials

through procurement process or ProCard. Maintains a log of all purchases by ProCard and reconciles ProCard purchases monthly. Assists other technicians with ordering materials and supplies.

Student Assistants:

Coordinates with other technicians on assigning/ distributing tasks, scheduling, and training Biology student assistants.

Participation in Biology department and technician meetings and activities.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS OF POSITION:

Equivalent to three 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 the 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 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 area to which assigned may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

Ability to communicate effectively with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community. Experience in preparing materials for university level Biology courses and labs; experience in chemical and biological hazard management. Knowledge of and willingness to follow safe laboratory procedures and all applicable rules and regulations. Ability to work with living microbial cultures, preserved animals, plant materials, and hazardous chemicals according to good laboratory safety practices. Knowledge of the laboratory courses offered in an undergraduate university-level biology program and their associated equipment and supplies. Understanding of Material Safety Data Sheets and familiarity with safe handling and proper disposal of hazardous chemical waste. Understanding and familiarity with safe use of common lab tools. Possess proficient computer skills (e.g. email, word processing, Adobe Acrobat, etc.). Strong interpersonal skills. Capable of interacting positively with students, faculty, administrators, non-technical staff and vendor representatives. Ability to work independently and adapt to new situations.

Desired: Bachelor’s degree in Biology or a related field (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Frequent/Continuous reaching within arm's distance, frequent sitting in office chair or standing for up to 5-7 hours at a time. Occasional lifting of 30-50 pounds at waist level within office and laboratory spaces. Continuous use of hands to prepare labs, operate lab equipment, computer systems, and telephone. Occasional reaching at or above waist level and shoulder level, occasional bending and/or stooping at the waist, continuous use of hands for grasping and fine manipulation. Ability to stand/walk up to 20 minutes at a time, up/downstairs, over uneven terrain, or up slopes.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

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 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

Hiring Range: $4,608 - $4,884 per month

Advertised: Oct 09 2025 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Oct 23 2025 Pacific Daylight Time

• 

• Cal State University (CSU) Channel Islands

• 805-437-8490

Show more