EESC Lab and Field Technician

ubc; Kelowna; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

The EESC Lab and Field Technician at UBC Okanagan supports the smooth operation of teaching laboratories and undergraduate experiential learning opportunities in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. The role provides technical and operational support for teaching labs and assists with field courses and related activities.

The position is a leave replacement for a fixed term and requires coordinating equipment, safety compliance, and field/excursion support for faculty, staff, and

Responsibilities

• Prepares reagents, chemicals, materials, and instruments for laboratory experiments
• Prepares samples for a variety of undergraduate teaching labs
• Assists instructors with preparing materials required for teaching laboratories
• Sets-up and takes-down materials needed for undergraduate teaching labs
• Coordinates and manages schedules for set-up, take-down, and the use of shared material and equipment with instructors, teaching assistants, and others
• Maintains inventory of equipment and materials and purchases equipment as needed
• Ensures safe working conditions in labs in compliance with WHMIS
• Attends relevant safety and licensing courses
• Maintains equipment and assists with field excursions and student experiential learning

Job description

Staff - Union

Job Category

BCGEU Okanagan Support Staff

Job Profile

BCGEU OK Salaried - Technician V

Job Title

EESC Lab and Field Technician

Department

UBCO | Teaching Lab Support | Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences | Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science

Compensation Range

$5,358.00 - $6,142.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

October 3, 2026

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

Ongoing

This is a leave replacement for a fixed term duration.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The purpose of this position is to support the smooth operation of the teaching laboratories and undergraduate student experiential learning opportunities within the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (EESC). The position will provide technical and operational support for the teaching laboratories, and assistance with experiential learning opportunities, such as student field courses and trips. Key duties for this position include the set-up and take-down of teaching equipment associated with a variety of undergraduate EESC courses, the maintenance of lab rooms and equipment, assistance with field excursions and associated equipment and materials required, and general technical guidance and assistance for EESC faculty, staff, and teaching assistants.

Organizational Status

This position works under the general supervision of the EESC Department and Lab Program Manager. This position interacts directly with undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty, and people external to UBC (such as equipment suppliers).

Work Performed

Lab Preparation

• Prepares reagents, chemicals, materials, and instruments for laboratory experiments
• Prepares samples for a variety of undergraduate teaching labs
• Assists instructors with preparing materials required for teaching laboratories
• Sets-up and takes-down materials needed for undergraduate teaching labs
• Coordinates and manages schedules for set-up, take-down, and the use of shared material and equipment with instructors, teaching assistants, and others

Lab Operation, Safety, and Maintenance

• Facilitates access to stored equipment for faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students
• Catalogues equipment, maintains inventory of equipment and materials, and carries out purchasing of equipment for both new and restock purposes
• Maintains the equipment in teaching spaces and storage areas
• Trouble-shoots equipment failures and arranges for repair of equipment
• Assists teaching assistants in the labs with equipment operation
• Ensures safe working conditions are followed and promotes safe work practices in compliance with UBC, WorkSafeBC and WHMIS in the undergraduate teaching labs
• Conducts annual reviews of teaching labs with UBC, WorkSafeBC, and WHMIS
• Attends relevant safety and/or licencing courses

Student Experiential Learning

• Models and enforces safe field practices for students and teaching assistants
• Prepares and maintains equipment for field schools and excursions
• Signs out equipment to instructors, teaching assistants, and students, and maintains an up-to-date inventory; including repairing and/or replacing equipment as necessary
• Provides technical assistance in advance of, and/or during, field excursions
• Provides in-the-field support and coordination for field schools, including SCIE 100

Other Department Technical Support

• Oversees equipment located in the science shed and EESC sea container
• Coordinates booking and maintenance of department vehicles (two trucks)
• Assists with various technical issues that are within a reasonable skill-set
• Coordinates mineral and rock kit loans with middle and high schools in the Okanagan
• Performs other tasks as assigned by the EESC Department and Lab Program Manager

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Student, staff, faculty, and visitor safety is paramount in the EESC labs and experiential learning opportunities. Failure to follow and/or enforce safety guidelines could result in personal injury or loss of equipment. Improper time management could lead to delays in labs or field trips, and result in an adverse effect on student learning. Failure to properly manage equipment, and/or keep the equipment in operational state, could result in personal injury and/or have a negative effect on the outcome of experiments and activities conducted by students.

Frequently, quick decisions must be made to make accommodations and adjustments to labs and student experiential learning opportunities. Lack of judgement in these scenarios will have negative impact on teaching effectiveness, and may have budgetary consequences.

Supervision Received

This position works