Lab Mechanician and Field Support

University of California - Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 103,871,000 - 124,990,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California - Santa Barbara (UCSB) is seeking a skilled shop technician to fabricate instrumentation for classroom and research use, perform repairs, and assist on field trips. The role involves mill work, lathe operations, and general shop tasks, with occasional travel to field sites.

Requires a high school diploma or GED and four years of metal shop experience, plus knowledge of tools and safety practices. Mon-Fri, 8:00 am–5:00 pm, on-site at UCSB’s Webb Hall facilities.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required with four years of metal shop experience or equivalent.
• Knowledge of and experience with basic hand and power tools.
• Knowledge of safety gear and procedures for power tools and general construction work.
• Ability to meet timelines and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Good written and verbal communication; reliable, organized, and detail oriented.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and in a diverse environment.

Responsibilities

• Organizes and completes projects involving fabrication of instrumentation for classroom and research use.
• Performs mechanical repair, light vehicle repair, woodworking, and occasional metalworking.
• Coordinates field trips and readies vehicles, equipment, and supplies; may travel up to 10 days.

Skills

Metal shop experience

Hand tools

Power tools

Safety procedures

Communication

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Deadline management

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Machine shop equipment

Lathe

Milling

Job description

Job Information

Position Number: 40077175

Payroll Title: LAB MECHN

Job Code: 008653

Job Open Date: 09/01/26

Application Review Begins: 09/17/26

Department Code (Name): GEOL (DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SCIENCE)

Percentage of Time: 100

Union Code (Name): TX - Technical Professionals

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: STEPS

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $36.27 - $37.10/hr. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $36.27 - $43.62/hr.

Work Location: 1006 Webb Hall - UCSB Campus & Field

Working Days and Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Benefits Eligibility: Full

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement: Not eligible

Employment Type: Full Time

Department Marketing Statement

The Department of Earth Science at UCSB conducts field studies in diverse regions ranging from the tallest mountain peaks of the Himalayas, the wilderness of Antarctica, to the vast undiscovered depths of the ocean floor. Our graduate and undergraduate students participate directly in the excitement of exploring terra incognita. To learn more about Earth Science, please visit: https://www.geol.ucsb.edu/.

Benefits of Belonging

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC.

Brief Summary of Job Duties

Organizes and completes projects involving fabrication of instrumentation for both classroom and research; mechanical repair, light vehicle repair, wood working, and occasional metal working. Minor plumbing and electrical repair. Repairs and maintains instructional supplies and equipment. Coordinates field trips, readying vehicles, equipment and supplies. Occasionally provides staff support on field trips, and may be in the field for up to 10 days. Manages field equipment storeroom. Assures all department facilities meet EH&S requirements. Assists in laboratory remodels.

Required Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED and four years of metal shop experience and journeyman skill in the operation of all standard machine shop equipment; or an equivalent combination of training and/or experience.
• Knowledge of and experience with basic hand and power tools.
• Knowledge of safety gear needed in the application of power tools, hand tools, general construction procedures and procedures associated with the use of various tools.
• Ability to work within timelines and juggle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate both written and verbally.
• Reliable, organized and able to pay attention to detail and prioritize.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to work in a socially and culturally diverse environment.
• Must possess effective computer skills and the ability to prioritize work, and perform a variety of tasks simultaneously under the pressure of deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1 year or more of handy-man experience including journeyman- level operation of all standard machine shop equipment.
• Understanding of safety practices and Environmental Health and Safety policies and procedures
• Knowledge of furniture and/or general construction

Special Conditions of Employment

• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• Required to hold a valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

\"Misconduct\" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Job Functions and Percentages of Time

30% - Shop Duties: Mill machining and lathe work to fabricate and maintain equipment for instruction, field, and research purposes. Mechanical repair, vehicle repair, wood working, metal working. Minor plumbing and electrical repair. Organizes and maintains machine shop and all tools and equipment; assists in set-up of shop operation.

25% - Fabrication and Instrument Maintenance: Assists in fabrication, assembly and installation of projects which require basic technical skills, including fixtures and prototypes, assembly, testing and trouble-shooting. Will work with exotic materials and abrasives on occasion. Maintains, repairs and modifies research equipment, including rock crushers, pulverizers, rock saws. Receives work orders from faculty for research-related requests, and communicates to Prin. Lab Mech and Business Officer.

25% - Field Duties: Assesses field trip reservations including vehicles, equipment and supplies. Determines that the number and type of vehicles requested are appropriate for the planned trip taking into consideration the number of participants, length of trip, and destination. Readies field vehicles and equipment, including installing radios. Occasional camp set-up in remote locations, including design and layout of camp. Provides staff support on department field trips, which may require being in the field for up to 10 days. Oversees field equipment and supplies, and assists in managing the storeroom. Coordinates reservation and checkout of supplies; organizes the storeroom; replaces and upgrades field equipment; identifies and repairs broken items; checks in all items, making sure all are in good working order and clean before restocking.

20% - General Department Duties: Laboratories and office space: Assists in laboratory remodels, including design and construction. Communicates with Facilities regarding work requests. Maintains departmental equipment and furniture inventory, moving and storing items as necessary. Organizes and curates faculty rock storage in basement. Identifies issues and makes recommendations to assure building security. Assures all department facilities meet EH&S requirements. This includes assessment and mitigation, such as bolting instruments, tanks and furniture to wall, repairing damaged electrical cords, and identifying potential safety hazards. Classrooms: Repairs and maintains classroom supplies and equipment, ie. Bruntons, microscopes, stereo viewers, slide projectors, Jacob staffs, meter sticks, measuring tapes. Cleans and preps all classrooms as required. Miscellaneous duties as assigned.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs.

As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit University of California Policy on Vaccinations - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

*Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

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Privacy Notification Statement and Notice of Availability of the UCSB Annual Security and Fire Safety Report Disclosures

Application Status

Application Status: If you would like to check the status of your application, please log into the Candidate Gateway where you applied and click on 'my activities'.