Laboratory Technician, Horticulture

Chabot Las Positas Community College District; Dublin (CA); On-site; USD 374,000 - 394,000; Part time

Job summary

The Chabot-Las Positas Community College District seeks a Laboratory Technician, Horticulture at Las Positas College in Livermore, California. This 0.5 FTE position supports instructional laboratories, maintains equipment, and assists students and instructors in horticulture labs.

Work involves handling living plants, chemicals, and laboratory tools with attention to safety; schedule is 20 hours weekly with potential evenings as needed.

Qualifications

• Education/Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade plus two years of college coursework in the field.
• Experience: Two years of increasingly responsible experience working with materials and equipment in the field.

Responsibilities

• Assist instructors in developing instructional materials and demonstrations for the subject area.
• Set up laboratory tools and equipment; ensure safety policies are followed.
• Provide assistance to students on lab and course-related matters.
• Maintain a clean and safe learning environment; perform routine equipment maintenance.
• Train and provide work direction to student workers.

Skills

Laboratory setup

Safety procedures

Record keeping

Communication skills

Supervise student assistants

Education

High school diploma + 2 years college

2 years experience with materials and equipment

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Databases

Job description

Laboratory Technician, Horticulture

Position Type: Classified

Position Code: 3CTE09

FTE: 0.5

Pay Rate (or Annual Salary): $2,795.75 - $2,942.71/month

Job Location: Las Positas College, 3000 Campus Hill Dr.,Livermore, CA 94551

Department: Science, Technology, Engineering, andMathematics

Job Summary

Las Positas College provides an inclusive, learning-centered,equity-focused environment that offers educational opportunitiesand support for completion of students' transfer, degree, andcareer-technical goals while promoting lifelong learning. At LasPositas College we know that equity will be achieved by changingthe impacts of structural racism, ableism, homophobia, andsystematic poverty on student success and access to highereducation, achieved through continuous evaluation and improvementof all services. We believe in a high-quality education focused onlearning and an inclusive, culturally-relevant environment thatmeets the diverse needs of all our students and staff.

Equity is parity in student educational outcomes; it placesbelonging for students of color and disproportionately impactedstudents at center focus. Our prized and emerging equity effortsinclude Puente, Umoja, ConnectUp, Brother 2 Brother, Sister 2Sister, Black Student Union, Presidential Task Force on Systemicand Institutionalized Racism, the Presidential Speaker Series,Black Education Association, UndocuAlly Taskforce, curriculumreviews and a linguistic justice curriculum.

Located in Livermore, Las Positas College is becoming aninstitution that reflects the diversity in California. We are alearning-centered institution focused on excellence and studentsuccess, and are fully committed to supporting all Tri-Valleyresidents in their quest for education and advancement.

Joining Our College Community

We seekequity-minded applicants who demonstrate they understand thebenefits diversity brings to an educational community. We look forapplicants who:Value and intentionally promote diversity andconsciousness of differenceDemonstrate cultural humility and anongoing desire to improve cultural competenceAre dedicated toaddressing issues of social justiceAccept their shared role andresponsibility in addressing opportunity and achievement gapsexperienced by studentsHave experience and success in closingstudent equity gaps and engaging in equitable practices, or areknowledgeable and enthusiastic about implementing practices thatachieve these goalsActively seek to identify, disrupt, and removeinstitutional and/or systemic barriers that adversely impacthistorically marginalized communitiesEmpower the underrepresentedand underservedFoster students' potential to become global citizensand socially responsible leadersBelieve that all people have theright to an education and work environment free from fear,harassment, or discrimination.

The Chabot-Las Positas Community College District is seeking aLaboratory Technician, Horticulture for Las Positas College inLivermore, California.

Under general supervision, provide difficult instructional supportassistance at the paraprofessional level to students and faculty toensure effective and efficient teaching/learning in the area ofassignment; assist in the preparation of materials anddemonstrations for an assigned instructional area; operate anddemonstrate use of specialized equipment, supplies, and materials;provide assistance to students within the assigned subject area;ensure that instructional laboratory facilities, instruments, andequipment are effectively, efficiently, and safely maintained; andmay provide lead direction to student assistants.

Positions in the Laboratory Technician Class may be assigned avariety of assignments from those duties listed within theREPRESENTATIVE DUTIES section or a combination of those and otherrelated work functions. Even though the same general level ofdifficulty and responsibility is found within each position,positions assigned to different disciplines are not interchangeableand each position has its own particular qualification requirementseven though they are derived from a general minimum qualificationssection. Each position is a separate and distinct classification asdefined in Section 88001 of the Education Code of the State ofCalifornia.

Representative Duties

The following duties are typical for this classification.Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may berequired to perform additional or different duties from those setforth below to address business needs and changing businesspractices.

• 1. Assist instructors in developing instructional materials withinthe assigned subject matter; prepare study sheets, visualinstructional aides, sample exercises and exams, and laboratoryexperiments; may assist in maintaining related records.
• 2. Prepare for laboratory demonstrations; set up and assiststudents in the use of a variety of laboratory tools, equipment andinstruments; ensure student compliance with laboratory policies,procedures and safety precautions; demonstrate proper care andcleaning procedures for laboratory tools and equipment.
• 3. Provide assistance to students on a variety of laboratory andcourse related matters; review student work in progress and assistin resolving problems.
• 4. Maintain a clean and safe learning environment; clean floors,table tops, desks and furniture; perform routine and minor repairson laboratory equipment; maintain, clean and test assignedequipment; ensure safety of laboratory and stocks; perform securityinspection.
• 5. Maintain and perform routine maintenance and lubrication ofequipment as necessary and ensure all power equipment supportingthe living organisms is operable.
• 6. Maintain proper storage of hazardous waste; monitor and disposeof chemicals and chemical waste; maintain and file appropriatematerial safety data sheets.
• 7. Care for living plants, animals and cultures as assigned; followprocedures for the care of living organisms including proceduresfor handling contamination, disease, or pests.
• 8. Prepares displays on bulletin boards.
• 9. Participate in the ordering and maintenance of supplies,materials and equipment; store, discard and rotate materialsaccording to standard procedures; receive, assemble and test newequipment.
• 10. Respond to inquiries and requests for information; answerphones; relay messages for faculty and staff.
• 11. May assist in the design and implementation of new laboratoryequipment.
• 12. Train and provide work direction to student workers asassigned.
• 13. Perform related duties as required.

Minimum Education and Experience

Any combination of the following would provide a typical way toobtain the required knowledge and abilities.

Education/Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented bytwo years of college level course work in the assignedinstructional field.

Experience: Two years of increasingly responsible experience working withmaterials and equipment in assigned instructional field.

Minimum Qualifications

The following generally describes the knowledge and abilityrequired to enter the job and/or be learned within a short periodof time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of

• 1. Operational characteristics of laboratory apparatus, equipmentand materials pertaining to assigned laboratory and subjectarea.
• 2. Theories and applications of the assigned subject matter.
• 3. Principles and practices of laboratory operations.
• 4. Proper methods of storing equipment, materials and supplies usedwithin the assigned laboratory.
• 5. Standard federal and state laws that affect safety and healthwith particular reference to the assigned laboratoryactivities.
• 6. Emergency first aid procedures.
• 7. Operation, maintenance, repair, and calibration of technicalequipment.
• 8. Principles and methods of preventive maintenance.
• 9. Methods, materials, practices and tools of equipmentrepair.
• 10. Principles and procedures of record keeping and filing.
• 11. Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computersand applicable software applications such as word processing,spreadsheets, and databases.
• 12. Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• 13. Basic inventory and purchasing processes and procedures.

Ability to

• 1. Assist in the preparation of instructional materials anddemonstrations for an assigned subject area.
• 2. Correctly and efficiently set up laboratory equipment andmaterials used in exercises and experiments.
• 3. Operate and demonstrate the proper use of specialized equipment,tools, supplies and materials.
• 4. Provide assistance to students on matters related to assignedlaboratories.
• 5. Apply the techniques of precise measurement and notation.
• 6. Perform mathematical calculations and take measurements withaccuracy and precision.
• 7. Safely store, label, re-stock, and dispose of chemicals andhazardous waste according to established procedures.
• 8. Analyze laboratory procedures and make constructive suggestionsfor improvement.
• 9. Safely and effectively maintain and repair a variety ofequipment related to assigned subject matter.
• 10. Operate, understand the mechanical function of and performroutine maintenance and repairs on laboratory equipment withinassigned area.
• 11. Maintain the cleanliness of assigned laboratory.
• 12. Interpret and apply department policies, procedures, rules andregulations.
• 13. Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
• 14. Maintain an adequate inventory of materials for instructionalprograms.
• 15. Perform routine record keeping and report writing duties
• 16. Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• 17. Supervise student assistants.
• 18. Work independently and collaboratively.
• 19. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and inwriting.
• 20. Establish and maintain effective working relationships withthose contacted in the course of work.
• 21. Work with and exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of thevaried racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation, academic,socio-economic, and disabled populations of community collegestudents.

Desirable Qualifications

• 1. Knowledge of horticultural practices for ornamental and/or cropplant species.
• 2. Experience with greenhouse, shade house, nursery, or landscapemaintenance operations, including routine plant care and facility upkeep.
• 3. Familiarity with irrigation systems and the safe operation andmaintenance of horticultural hand and power tools.
• 4. Ability to support instructional activities through thepreparation of materials, equipment, and horticultural learning environments.

Job Work Schedule: 20 hours/week, Monday – Thursday, 10:00a.m. – 3:00 p.m., hours may vary depending on department needs,occasional evening and Friday and weekends required as needed, 12months/year.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enableindividuals with disabilities to perform the essential jobfunctions.

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a laboratory setting; exposure topotentially hazardous chemicals, solvents, noise, dust, grease,smoke, fumes, noxious odors, and gases; work in or withwater.

Physical

Primary functions requiresufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a laboratorysetting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; tooccasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift,carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; tooperate laboratory and office equipment requiring repetitive handmovement and fine coordination including use of a computerkeyboard; to verbally communicate to exchange information; mayrequire the wearing of safety glasses or goggles and rubber orplastic gloves.

Posting Number: AS858P

Open Date: 10/15/2026

Close Date: 11/05/2026

Open Until Filled: No

Notification to Applicants

The Chabot-Las Positas Community College District reserves theright to close or not fill any advertised position

It is the policy of this District to provide equalopportunity in all areas of employment practices and to assure that there shall be nodiscrimination against any person on the basis of sex, ancestry, age, marital status,race, religious creed, mental disability, medical condition (including HIV andAIDS), color, national origin, physical disability, family or sexual preferencestatus and other similar factors in compliance with Title IX, Sections 503 and 504of the Rehabilitation Act, other federal and state non-discriminationregulations, and its own statements of philosophy of objectives. The District encouragesthe filing of applications by both sexes, ethnic minorities, and thedisabled.

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