Science Laboratory Student Assistant - Roxbury Community College

Roxbury Community College; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Roxbury Community College is seeking a Science Laboratory Student Assistant to support RCC's science laboratories on campus. The student assists with organization of equipment, restocking consumables, and keeping labs safe and instruction-ready.

The position is part-time, Fall 2026 and Spring 2027, with up to 18.5 hours per week, and requires Federal Work-Study eligibility. Training covers safety, handling, and reporting.

Qualifications

• Must be a currently enrolled RCC student eligible for Federal Work-Study.
• Must be in good academic and disciplinary standing.
• Ability and willingness to comply with laboratory safety procedures.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to balance work schedule with academic responsibilities.
• Reliable, dedicated, and able to independently complete assigned structured tasks after training.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and organize routine laboratory supplies and instructional materials under staff direction.
• Assist with setup and breakdown of approved teaching-lab activities when directed and supervised.
• Clean, label, store, and inventory non-hazardous materials and equipment according to procedures.
• Maintain routine inventory, supply, and lab-preparation records.
• Report spills, damaged equipment, missing materials, or safety concerns to staff.

Skills

Attention to detail

Effective communication

Time management

Reliability

Job description

Roxbury Community College (RCC) is a public institution of higher education offering associate degrees, certificate programs and lifelong learning opportunities to the Greater Boston community. The Department of Education recognized RCC as a Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) and as one of the top 100 community colleges in the country for student outcomes through the Postsecondary Success Recognition Program, making it the only community college in Massachusetts with these designations.

RCC offers 24 associate degree programs, 6 credit-based certificate programs, 13 non-credit professional certification programs, 30+ lifelong learning and fitness classes, and customized incumbent worker training programs. The college hosts hundreds of civic and community events at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center each year. RCC is committed to providing all learners with the academic and non-academic support required for degree completion and long-term success.

Roxbury Community College is guided by our six core values of Accountability, Equity, Excellence, Honesty, Integrity, and Respect. RCC is also an AA/EO employer and strongly encourages applications from candidates who would enhance the diversity of its staff. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act requires all institutes of higher education to disclose campus policy statements and crime statistics. Our annual report is available at https://www.rcc.mass.edu/explore/public-safety/index.html .

Job Description:

Department: STEM - Science Laboratories

Position Title: Science Laboratory Student Assistant

Developmental Focus: Explore & Build

Economic Mobility Pathway: Pathway 5 - STEM & Applied Sciences

Location: On Campus - Building 3, Room 401 and RCC Science Laboratories

Number of Positions: 1

Maximum Hours: 18.5 hours per week

Term: Fall 2026 and Spring 2027

Position Summary

The Science Laboratory Student Assistant is an entry-level Federal Work-Study position supporting the safe, organized, and instruction-ready operation of RCC's science laboratories. The student assists the Science Labs Manager and laboratory staff with equipment and material organization, consumable restocking, basic laboratory upkeep, inventory awareness, and other structured support activities across RCC's science laboratories.

• Prepare and organize routine laboratory supplies and instructional materials under Science Labs staff direction.
• Assist with basic setup and breakdown of approved teaching-lab activities when directed and supervised.
• Clean, label, store, and inventory non-hazardous materials and equipment according to established procedures.
• Maintain routine inventory, supply, and lab-preparation records.
• Report spills, damaged equipment, missing materials, or safety concerns immediately to laboratory staff.
• Do not independently handle restricted hazardous materials, conduct experiments, instruct students, or make laboratory safety decisions.

Requirements:

• Currently enrolled at Roxbury Community College for the 2026-2027 academic year.
• Have an active Federal Work-Study award and sufficient remaining FWS eligibility before beginning work.
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in accordance with institutional and financial-aid requirements.
• Complete all required student-employment and payroll documentation before beginning work.
• Work only the approved FWS schedule and duties assigned by the designated RCC supervisor.

Required Qualifications

• Must be a currently enrolled RCC student eligible for Federal Work-Study.
• Must be in good academic and disciplinary standing.
• Ability and willingness to comply with established laboratory safety procedures.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain an agreed-upon work schedule while balancing academic responsibilities.
• Reliable, dedicated, and able to independently complete assigned structured tasks after training.

Additional Information:

Preferred Academic Background

Students in Science, Biotechnology, Mathematics, Engineering, Information Systems Technology, Radiology, or other STEM-related programs may be especially well aligned with this position. These majors are preferred rather than required unless otherwise determined by the department.

Laboratory Safety & Scope

Students must follow all RCC laboratory safety requirements, including appropriate clothing and footwear, restrictions on food and beverages, and use of gloves or other required protective equipment when handling laboratory materials. Student employees perform support and maintenance-readiness tasks only within their training and assigned scope. Technical, hazardous, experimental, or professional laboratory activities remain under the direction of authorized laboratory staff.

Federal Work-Study Compliance Notes

• This FWS assignment is part-time, on-campus student employment and is contingent upon continued Federal Work-Study eligibility and available award funding.
• FWS students may perform only the duties identified for the FWS assignment and approved by the supervisor; Learn & Earn responsibilities are not interchangeable with FWS duties.
• Students and supervisors are responsible for monitoring scheduled hours so the student does not exceed the approved FWS award or institutional work-hour limits.
• Timesheets must accurately reflect hours actually worked and be approved by the designated supervisor through the College's approved timekeeping process.

Student Learning & Professional Development Outcomes

• Develop foundational laboratory operations and safety awareness.
• Build equipment, materials, inventory, and consumable-management skills.
• Strengthen attention to detail, organization, reliability, and professional communication.
• Gain exposure to science laboratory environments and STEM-related academic operations.
• Practice appropriate reporting and escalation of equipment, supply, and laboratory-readiness concerns.

Funding & Scheduling Structure

One Science Laboratory Student Assistant placement is authorized through Federal Work-Study for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027. The position is fully on campus and supports RCC's science laboratories. The schedule is established around the student's academic commitments, laboratory needs, and Federal Work-Study eligibility requirements. The student may work no more than 18.5 hours per week.

Supervision & Performance

The Science Laboratory Student Assistant reports to Zulma Davila, Science Labs Manager, and works under the direction of authorized science laboratory staff. The student receives training on laboratory safety, equipment and material handling, assigned procedures, and role boundaries, along with regular supervision and feedback.

Advancement

Strong performers may become candidates for future intermediate STEM, laboratory, research-support, technical, or science-program positions when available and when they have developed the required coursework, technical knowledge, or experience.

ADA Compliance:

The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education - Roxbury Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education - Roxbury Community College will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Roxbury Community College only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you do not have access to a computer, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail].