Instructional Technician - Dental Hygiene, 80%

Cabrillo College; California; On-site; USD 44,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

Vision insurance

CalPERS retirement

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Cabrillo College is seeking an Instructional Technician - Dental Hygiene to provide laboratory and administrative support for the dental hygiene program. The role includes equipment setup, x-ray handling, and collaboration with instructors to ensure smooth lab sessions.

Ideal candidates have two years of college in dental assisting or hygiene and front‑office experience. The position offers strong benefits, CalPERS retirement, and a diverse, inclusive work environment.

Qualifications

• Completion of two years of college with dental coursework, or equivalent.
• Experience in a dental office front‑office and sterilization procedures.
• Understanding of diverse student populations and inclusive practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide instructional laboratory support for dental hygiene courses; set up and maintain clinic equipment.
• Import, read, and mount dental x-rays; coordinate with dental offices for questions.
• Administer and score quizzes; maintain student data and records.

Skills

Dental lab support

Equipment maintenance

X-ray handling

Safety & OSHA

Record keeping

Infection control

Education

Two years college in dental assisting or hygiene

Tools

Dental office equipment

Digital radiology

Job description

We need YOU! Cabrillo College is looking for staff to provide quality programs and services for a diverse student population, promoting ever-evolving needs as our students grow toward their individual aspirational goals. Cabrillo is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) with a special focus on enhancing the Latinx student experience. Come join our team, valuing high-level and innovative instruction, support services, a welcoming environment, and helping to change the world one student at a time!

The ideal candidate will share Cabrillo's commitment to educating its racially and socioeconomically diverse student population. Cabrillo College serves approximately 10,500+ students per term. As of the 2025 Academic Year, 71% of Cabrillo students are members of minoritized populations, identifying themselves as LatinX (49%), Multi Ethnic (20%), Asian (1%), Black Non-Hispanic (<1%), Filipino (<1%), American Indian/Alaskan Native(<1%) and Pacific Islander (<1%). In 2006, Cabrillo College was designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution, reflecting the great responsibility that the College has to the educational attainment and economic well-being of the surrounding community.

This categorically-funded 80%, 32 hours per week, 11 months per year Instructional Technician - Dental Hygiene position provides instructional laboratory and administrative support for the District’s dental hygiene instructional program and performs related duties as assigned.

Starting Salary Range: $3,914 to $4,531 per month; plus 5% annual increases up to step 7; maximum initial salary step placement on the classified salary schedule is step 4.

Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. with evenings and weekends as required. These are standard hours, but subject to change depending on clinic needs.

This salary range has been prorated here to accurately reflect this 80% assignment. Annual salary is the monthly rate x 11 months.

Classified employees are required to join the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) and, as such, contribute 8% of their monthly salary to CalPERS on a pre‑tax basis.

Position scheduled to begin as soon as possible, pending continued funding and Governing Board ratification. Salary is subject to proration based on the beginning date of assignment. Cabrillo is unable to sponsor work visas.

Benefits:

• Our prorated comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, life, short- and long-term, and vision (optional) insurance provided at a share of cost on a pre‑tax basis, CalPERS Retirement, and an Employee Assistance Program. Please see the Benefits link on the HR webpage for more information.

As a classified staff member at Cabrillo College, you will join a vibrant community of professionals and educators working together to provide a positive educational environment where our students experience diverse academic and cultural perspectives.

Duties

• Provides instructional laboratory support for dental hygiene and dental assisting course instructors and students; sets up, installs, maintains, services and arranges for the repair of dental clinic and laboratory equipment for use in classes, workshops, laboratory sessions and supplemental tutoring; imports, reads and mounts dental x-rays and follows up with dental offices to resolve any questions or issues; ensures all required equipment, materials and supplies are available for classes and other sessions in accordance with instructor requirements.
• Compiles, maintains, and updates a variety of instructional materials and exercises for instructor use; provides training to students and others on the safe use of specialized dental office equipment such as X-rays; scores quizzes and tests to assist faculty and records student data.
• Answers student questions regarding the safe use and disposal of dental office equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Performs a variety of administrative support duties for the dental instructional program; prepares purchase orders and maintains an inventory of dental and office supplies including Student Kits and clinic supplies to meet instructional requirements; obtains bids and participates in negotiating prices for dental supplies.
• Maintains a safe and sanitary learning environment for faculty and students.
• Conducts weekly spore tests of sterilization equipment and documents findings.

Other Duties

• Arranges for the pickup and disposal of sharps and pharmaceutical waste in accordance with established District and OSHA regulations and procedures.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of diverseacademic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Understanding of, and sensitivity to, the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, faculty, and staff AND
• Completion of two (2) years of college with coursework in dental assisting or dental hygiene, AND at least two (2) years of experience in a dental office performing front‑office administration and sterilization procedures OR
• An equivalent combination of training and experience.

Desirable Certifications

• Current Registered Dental Assistant certification
• A current valid X-ray Certificate
• Completion of a Board‑approved course in infection control

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, methods, and equipment used in a dental office, including digital radiology, nitrous oxide analgesia, and air compressor and vacuum systems equipment.
• Common dental materials and supplies used in a dental office.
• Health and safety practices applicable to sterilization and infection control related to the Dental Hygiene program.
• Applicable laws and regulations governing the Dental Hygiene and Assisting Program, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations.
• Study and learning techniques and strategies applicable to dental hygiene and assisting students at a level necessary to perform assigned responsibilities.
• Hazardous materials management and disposal practices and procedures.
• District policies and procedures governing purchasing and accounts payable activities.
• Modern office practices, procedures and equipment including computers and applicable software programs.
• Principles and practices of sound business communications, including correct English usage, grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Skills and Abilities to:

• Provide day-to-day administrative and technical support to instructors in carrying out their instructional responsibilities.
• Accurately, thoroughly, and clearly answer students’ subject-matter, equipment-use, and technology questions.
• Provide day-to-day technical support for computer hardware, peripherals and business and specialized equipment and software used in dental hygiene and dental assisting laboratories.
• Demonstrate safe practices and procedures in the use of specialized dental office equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, files, and databases.
• Maintain the confidentiality of student records.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Operate a computer and use standard business software.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Uphold the District’s mission, values, and objectives, including equity and Guided Pathways.
• Support an inclusive work environment that fosters diversity, respect, and engagement.

EEO Statement

Cabrillo College is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks a diverse pool of qualified applicants. The policy of the College is to encourage applications from all persons. No person shall be denied employment because of ethnicity or race, color, sex or gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, medical conditions, status or protected veteran status.

Selected candidates given a conditional offer of employment are required to submit tuberculosis screening clearance results, proof of eligibility to work in the United States, and present their Social Security card upon hire (for payroll purposes).

Cabrillo is an E-Verify employer.

Persons with disabilities who require reasonable accommodation to complete the employment process must notify Human Resources at [e-mail].