Environmental, Earth and Sustainability Sciences Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician I)

Holyoke Community College; Holyoke (MA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A community college in Massachusetts is looking for an Environmental, Earth and Sustainability Sciences Lab Technician. The role involves preparing and maintaining laboratory equipment, assisting faculty and students in fieldwork, and ensuring compliance with health protocols. Candidates should have a degree in Environmental Science and experience with sampling and analysis equipment. This is a full-time position with a biweekly salary of $2,068.95.

Qualifications

• 12 months of full-time or part-time experience in a laboratory.
• Ability to make simple mathematical calculations and prepare statistical data.
• Ability to lift heavy items and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity.

Responsibilities

• Assist with laboratory and field activities.
• Prepare glassware, chemical solutions, and equipment.
• Supervise work-study students and interns.

Skills

Environmental sampling and analysis equipment

Good verbal and written skills

Teamwork

Computer skills including word processing and spreadsheets

Education

Associates degree or higher in Environmental Science or a closely related field

Tools

GIS/GPS

Job description

Job Details

Environmental, Earth and Sustainability Sciences Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician I) in Holyoke, MA

Employer: Holyoke Community College

Salary: $2,068.95 Biweekly

Location: Holyoke, MA

Job Type: Full-time

Job Number: AFSCME-26-50

Division: Academic Affairs

Department: STEM Admin.

Opening Date: 10/02/2025

Closing Date: 10/23/2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

About Holyoke Community College:

Holyoke Community College is housed on a multi-million-dollar, 135-acre campus, equipped with state-of-the art technology in specialized learning facilities. HCC serves over 9,000 students annually, and provides a variety of recreational and cultural activities, from sports programs to music festivals, for students and community members alike.

The college's strongest assets continue to be an innovative spirit, a sincere concern for students and a commitment to strive for even greater success. These are the values which have created a tradition of excellence spanning more than six decades, and which are enabling Holyoke Community College to meet today's challenges.

Mission: Educate. Inspire. Connect.

Values: Kindness, Inclusion, Trust, Innovation & Collaboration

Kindness, inclusion and trust are the foundation of the work that we do together. Innovation and collaboration enable us to explore and implement the ideas that will shape our future.

The Environmental, Earth and Sustainability Science Laboratory Technician is a crucial member of the Environmental Science Department who is responsible for assisting faculty members and students in both field and laboratory technical and experimental work.

• Collaborates with faculty to ensure that class laboratory and field activities are prepared, carried out, and cleaned up afterwards.
• Coordinates college field- and laboratory-related activities for courses in environmental science, sustainability, and Earth science, and oversees the work of laboratory assistants and student workers.
• Coordinates and assists in the upgrading of laboratory and field instructional procedures for environmental science, sustainability, and Earth science courses.
• Prepares glassware, chemical solutions, reagents, and microbiological materials according to Standard Methods for use in field and laboratory exercises.
• Collects and prepares samples (soil, water, organism, and plant) and quality controls from outdoor field sites according to Standard Methods.
• Maintains the laboratory and preparation room and ensures compliance with health and safety protocols.
• Supervises college work-study students, department interns, and laboratory assistants through written and oral instructions.
• Provides technical, teaching, and transportation assistance as needed to ensure well-organized and smooth functioning laboratory and field exercises.
• Calibrates, prepares, and performs routine maintenance and minor repair on all laboratory and field equipment for department faculty, staff, and student use.
• Conducts inventory of equipment and supplies, works with company representatives for quotes, and places orders as needed to provide materials for normal operation of the preparation room and support for laboratory instruction.
• Works with the department, division and Business Office to manage the department budget.
• Provides technical assistance to ensure the operational integrity of the ENV/GIS computer facility.

Required Qualifications:

• Twelve months of full-time or equivalent part-time experience as a technician or assistant working in a laboratory or classroom environment.
• Computer skills including word processing, spreadsheet, and graphing.
• Experience with environmental sampling and analysis equipment.
• Good verbal and written skills.
• Ability to make simple mathematical calculations and prepare statistical data and records of results of classroom experiments.
• Ability to make minor adjustments to audio/visual equipment and provide students technical assistance.
• Ability to carry out written and oral instructions.
• Ability to lift heavy items and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity.
• Ability to work effectively as a team player with a diverse faculty, staff, and student body.
• Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associates degree or higher from an accredited school with a major in Environmental Science or closely related field of study.
• GIS/GPS computer skills.
• An understanding of inclusive practices when working with students.

Full-Time AFSCME Unit Position:

Biweekly Rate: $2,068.95/Grade 15

Hours: 37.5 hours/week

Funding Source: State

Disability Accommodations:

Holyoke Community College is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and will ensure the availability of reasonable accommodations.

Background Check:

• Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and review of a background check which will include CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) and SORI (Sex Offender Registry Information).
• All candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States. HCC is not sponsoring H1B Visa.

Holyoke Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, genetic information, gender identity or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and college policies.