Student Lab Technician

Socket.dev; Penticton; On-site; CAD 25,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Okanagan College in Penticton seeks a student lab technician to support the BC BTAC by organizing and maintaining equipment and supplies for day-to-day operations.

Under supervision, you will prepare equipment for analytic tests, ensure safe operation of instruments, and maintain records and procedures, including ISO 17025, WHMIS, MSDS, and TDG compliance. This role requires lab experience and adherence to biosafety standards.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be enrolled in a post-secondary program at Okanagan College.
• Science program enrollment preferred.
• Prior work experience in a science laboratory and familiarity with SOPs is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Prepare equipment and materials for analytic tests.
• Ensure safe and correct operation of equipment.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and glassware, computers, microscopes, and other lab gear including GC, GCMS, HPLC, PCR.
• Perform lab safety inspections.
• Maintain records for regulatory compliance (ISO 17025, WHMIS, MSDS, TDG).
• Adhere to biosafety and chemical safety practices per PHA Canada guidance.
• Ensure proper storage of chemicals and safe handling and disposal of hazardous waste.
• Maintain records of lab inventory and test results.
• Protect confidential client data.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Computer literacy

Teamwork

Communication

Organization

Detail-oriented

Lab reagent prep

Equipment handling

Color vision

Record keeping

Safety compliance

Education

Post-secondary enrollment

Science program preferred

Tools

Laboratory equipment (GC, GCMS, HPLC, PCR)

Job description

When you join Okanagan College, you’re joining a team that’s transforming lives and communities.

Every course you create, every student you support and every connection you build, it all matters.

Be a part of a vibrant campus community, where the work you do everyday truly makes a difference.

Desired Start Date: September 14, 2026

Position End Date: April 30, 2027

Salary range: $18.42 - $23.51

Bargaining Unit: BCGEU Support

Closing date: September 30, 2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

This position is in accordance with LOU #1 Student Employees (BCGEU Collective Agreement). It is a support non-regular student position with flexible hours. Students are paid by submitting bi-weekly timesheets.

For this position, candidates must be enrolled in a post-secondary program at Okanagan College. Candidates enrolled in a science program preferred. Prior work experience is an asset, including working in a science laboratory and familiarity with laboratory standard operating procedures.

Part-time hours available: the specific schedule of work can be discussed with the hiring manager.

Due to the nature of the work, candidates must be able to work in Penticton at the BC BTAC location. This is not a hybrid/remote position.

Your Opportunity

Under the supervision of the Manager, BC BTAC, the student lab technician assists with activities related to organizing and maintaining equipment and supplies in the laboratory for the provision of the BTAC's services and day-to-day operations.

Duties of the Student Lab Technician

1. Preparing equipment and material for analytic tests, assisting with preparation of solutions, media, and cultures.
2. Ensuring the safe and correct operation of equipment.
3. Maintaining science laboratory and equipment such as glassware, computers, microscopes, and other lab equipment (GC, GCMS, HPLC, PCR, and electrophoresis).
4. Lab safety inspections
5. Maintaining appropriate records and documentation for regulatory compliance (ie ISO 17025, WHMIS, MSDS, and Transportation of Dangerous Goods).
6. Complying with standard biosafety and chemical safety practices as defined by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
7. Ensuring safe storage of chemicals and the safe collection, transportation, handling, and disposal of hazardous and glass waste.
8. Maintaining records of lab inventory and lab test results.
9. Maintaining confidential client data.
10. Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities

Skills and abilities for this position include proficiency in the use of computer software applications, working effectively in a team and independently, effective written and verbal communication skills, well-developed organizational skills, detail-oriented, proficiency in cleaning and making reagents in a lab, ability to lift and move equipment/supplies (up to 30 pounds), ability to distinguish colour to interpret colourimetric tests, ability to keep accurate and complete records.

Our Values

Students first: Creating meaningful life-long educational opportunities of the highest quality for alumni, current, and future students is at the heart of everything we do.

Community: We are one College. We enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to work with, learn from, and support everyone we encounter collaboratively and collegially.

Respect: We welcome, embrace, and celebrate that which make us unique in creating an environment in which every individual is valued, affirming our commitment to human dignity for all.

Courage: We are courageous in our actions in areas that contribute to positive change in our communities and beyond. We have the courage to be vulnerable. We are truthful, sincere, and act ethically with honesty and fairness.

Relationships: We steward meaningful relationships built on a foundation of reciprocity. We are compassionate, empathic, and care for the holistic well-being of students, employees, community members, and the land.

Distinction: We choose activities in which we can achieve excellence and positively impact society.

Okanagan College is committed to increasing the equitable and inclusive participation of marginalized people in all aspects of college life. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black People, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, people with disabilities and people with diverse gender identities or expressions. People with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].