Laboratory Technician (Part-time)

San Mateo County Community College District; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Vacation leave

Sick leave

403(b)/457 plans

Job summary

San Mateo County Community College District seeks a Laboratory Technician at Cañada College to support chemistry laboratories. You will set up equipment, prepare solutions, supervise safety, and assist faculty and students with supplies and procedures.

The role emphasizes accurate record keeping and safe handling of lab materials. Responsibilities include inventory management, equipment setup, and collaboration with instructors to maintain an efficient teaching lab.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in laboratory sciences or related field.
• Experience with lab techniques and safety procedures.
• Experience organizing and maintaining lab supplies.

Responsibilities

• Set up laboratory equipment for courses and maintain a safe lab environment.
• Maintain inventory of lab supplies using a computer database and restock as needed.
• Assist instructors and students with equipment and materials.
• Perform minor repairs and ensure proper storage and disposal of chemicals.

Skills

Oral communication

Organization

Attention to detail

Safety awareness

Inventory tracking

Education

Associate degree in laboratory sciences

Tools

Laboratory inventory software

Spreadsheet software

Job description

Campus:

Cañada College

Emphasis:

Chemistry

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Salary Schedule:

60

Grade:

26

Bargaining Unit:

CSEA

Months Per Year:

10

Hours Per Week:

18

Mandated Reporter:

Yes

Campus Security Authority:

No

This is technical work involved in organizing, coordinating, and maintaining supplies, equipment, and instructional support services for a college laboratory. Under direct supervision, the employee uses subject matter knowledge to set up laboratory experiments, prepare and organize solutions and laboratory materials as needed, demonstrate safe use of biologicals and chemicals, supplies, and equipment, store and dispose of a variety of supplies, and assist faculty in maintaining laboratory operations. Public contact is extensive, primarily involving faculty and students for the purpose of providing safety and procedural information concerning laboratory operations and supplies. A moderate degree of independent judgment and creativity is required to apply safety and other policies and procedures related to laboratory equipment and other supplies, and to resolve frequent minor and occasional major problems that arise. Consequences of errors in judgment could be costly in student and employee safety, employee time, and money; however, clearly prescribed procedures and other controls limit the risk of serious errors. A Laboratory Technician can lead the work of student assistants as assigned.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Sets up laboratory equipment for various courses


• Maintains laboratory environment in a safe, clean, and orderly condition


• Sets up and puts away equipment for instructors and students


• Creates and maintains an inventory of lab supplies using a computer database and restocks supplies as needed


• Recommends and assists faculty in the purchase of new equipment as needed; researches vendors, pricing, delivery timelines, and selects vendors as appropriate; orders new equipment, supplies, and materials as needed


• Provides support and maintenance of area-specific equipment, supplies, and other related materials


• Makes minor repairs to equipment


• Maintains an orderly environment


• Inventories, monitors, and maintains a list of instructional media used in the lab


• Performs other related duties as assigned

Knowledge Of

Employment Standards (acquired through education, training, and/or experience)

• Technical laboratory operational procedures, protocols, equipment, materials, and supplies related to a specific discipline or subject matter, biological and chemical hygiene safety and control measures, and preparation of laboratory experiments in a teaching environment


• Required laboratory procedures related to subject-specific occupational safety, cleanliness, and sanitation

Skill In

• Oral communication, including giving clear and concise instructions


• Organizing, sorting, categorizing, and accurately retrieving a variety of materials, supplies, and equipment


• Working accurately and safely under deadline pressure


• Scheduling, coordinating, and performing specialized and technical duties to assure efficient laboratory operations


• Following detailed oral and written instructions


• Using spreadsheets and a variety of other computer software to track, format, and report financial, statistical, and other detailed data


• Communicating respectfully and sensitively with people from diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds


• Detailed electronic and manual record keeping

Ability To

• Work effectively as part of a team

Job Requirements

• A combination of education and experience equivalent to completion of an Associate degree in the specific discipline or subject matter


• Experience in laboratory techniques specific to the discipline/course syllabus


• Demonstrates developing knowledge of applicable regulatory and other safety policies and procedures


• Successful training and experience in laboratory operations, including research and implementation of state-of-the-art equipment, supplies, and materials


• Experience with the organization and maintenance of online and manual records and reports


• Experience with computer data entry, modification, and retrieval, and use of a variety of software to produce routine reports, memoranda, and other written materials


• Demonstrated cultural competence, sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds of community college students, faculty and staff

Additional Information

Physical/Other Requirements

This classification requires visual comparison and acuity; manual dexterity; data analysis and comparison; oral communication to small and large groups; attention to detail; bending, stooping, pulling, pushing, reaching overhead, moving objects of moderate weight, kneeling; handling live animals; exposure to chemicals, fur, dust, odors and fumes; active listening; directive communication; flexibility, adaptability; tact; and good memory in order to perform the essential functions.

Benefits

Benefits include paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave. Optional tax-deferred flexible benefit 403(b) and 457 plans are available. If eligible, Classified employees may participate in the Public Employees' Retirement System, a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California.

EEO Statement

San Mateo County Community College District is an Equal Opportunity, Title IX, and Section 504 employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law. We seek to employ individuals who reflect our community's diversity of cultures, languages, and abilities.

Our EEO Plan, grounded in Title 5 regulations, is developed and monitored by an EEO Advisory Committee, reviewed at least every three years, and supported by regular training for all members of selection and screening committees. We collect and analyze recruitment and retention data to measure progress and identify barriers.

Annual Security Report

San Mateo County Community College District's (SMCCCD) 2025 Annual Security Report (ASR), required by the Clery Act, includes statistics for the previous three years (2022-2024) concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by SMCCCD; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from SMCCCD. The 2025 Annual Security Report also outlines various campus safety and security policies concerning crime reporting, prevention and response to sexual and gender violence, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, emergency response and evacuation procedures, and other matters.

The Annual Security Report also includes important tips to help every community member remain safe and avoid becoming a victim of crime. The 2025 Annual Security Report is now available on the Public Safety website. You can also obtain a copy of this report by contacting the Department of Public Safety at the District Office or any of the three Campuses [phone]. The report includes information about criminal activity on our campuses, emergency procedures, and resources.

Closes

08/24/2026