Smart Building Lab & Program Assistant - Federal Work-Study - Roxbury Community College

Roxbury Community College; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Roxbury Community College seeks a Smart Building Lab & Program Assistant to support the Center for Smart Building Technology (C4SBT). This entry-level, on-campus role assists labs, classrooms, inventory, safety procedures, and student workforce programs.

Work is part-time (up to 18.5 hours/week) with start on September 21, 2026. You will organize supplies, help with data entry, and ensure a safe, instruction-ready environment for BAS, HVAC, and related building systems under RCC supervision.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled at Roxbury Community College for the 2026-2027 academic year.
• Active Federal Work-Study award.
• Maintain SAP per financial-aid requirements.
• Complete all required student-employment and payroll documentation.
• Work only the approved FWS schedule and duties assigned by RCC supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Organize lab supplies, instructional materials, tools, and equipment for on-campus C4SBT activities.
• Assist with routine inventory, labeling, check-in/check-out records, and workspace organization.
• Prepare handouts, sign-in sheets, training materials, and room setups as directed.
• Perform basic data entry and maintain program or lab records using approved templates.
• Report equipment, safety, or facility concerns to C4SBT staff and follow posted lab procedures.
• FWS students do not independently operate specialized equipment, provide technical instruction, or perform off-campus/Madison Park experiential duties.

Skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Professional communication

Customer-service

Reliability

Willingness to learn

Education

Current RCC student (2026-2027)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Smart Building Lab & Program Assistant - Federal Work-Study

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: Center for Smart Building Technology (C4SBT)

Position Title: Smart Building Lab & Program Assistant

Developmental Focus: Explore & Build

Primary Economic Mobility Pathway: Pathway 2 - Technology, Engineering & Smart Buildings

Secondary Economic Mobility Pathway: Pathway 7 - Workforce, Skilled Trades & Career Advancement

Number of Positions: 2

Location: C4SBT campus classrooms/laboratories; Learn & Earn may also support Madison Park HVAC Lab and approved off-campus activities

Recommended Hours: Weekday, on-campus coverage based on academic schedule and department needs

Maximum Hours: 18.5 hours per week

Expected Start Date: September 21, 2026

Supervisor: Gregory Blaize

Position Summary

The Smart Building Lab & Program Assistant supports the day-to-day operations of RCC's Center for Smart Building Technology (C4SBT). This entry-level, hands-on position supports technical training laboratories, classrooms, equipment, inventory, safety procedures, facilities projects, workforce programming, outreach, and recruitment. Students work alongside C4SBT staff and instructors to maintain safe, organized, well-equipped, and instruction-ready environments for Building Automation Systems (BAS), HVAC and heat pump, energy efficiency, building science, electrical, and related technical training programs.

• Organize lab supplies, instructional materials, tools, and equipment for on-campus C4SBT activities.
• Assist with routine inventory, labeling, check-in/check-out records, and workspace organization.
• Prepare handouts, sign-in sheets, training materials, and room setups as directed.
• Perform basic data entry and maintain program or lab records using approved templates.
• Report equipment, safety, or facility concerns to C4SBT staff and follow posted lab procedures.
• FWS students do not independently operate specialized equipment, provide technical instruction, or perform off-campus/Madison Park experiential duties assigned to Learn & Earn placements.

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 the approved funding source (Federal Work-Study or Learn & Earn).
• No prior BAS, HVAC, electrical, facilities, or building-systems experience is required.
• Reliable, punctual, and able to maintain an agreed-upon work schedule.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and work under C4SBT staff/instructor supervision.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills when working with equipment, tools, inventory, and laboratory materials.
• Willingness to learn and follow laboratory safety, LOTO, PPE, and equipment-handling procedures.
• Ability to recognize and report damaged equipment, missing materials, and safety concerns.
• Basic computer skills and willingness to use Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, shared files, inventory records, and other digital systems.
• Professional communication and customer-service skills.
• Interest in smart building technology, engineering, HVAC, building automation, facilities, energy efficiency, skilled trades, STEM, workforce development, or related fields is preferred.

Additional Information:

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

• Gain foundational experience in laboratory operations and workplace safety.
• Develop equipment, inventory, PPE, and instructional-material management skills.
• Gain exposure to building systems, BAS, HVAC, energy efficiency, facilities operations, and smart-building technologies.
• Practice basic technical documentation and data collection under supervision.
• Develop administrative, outreach, recruitment, teamwork, customer-service, and professional communication skills.
• Apply safety-conscious workplace practices and appropriate escalation procedures.

Funding & Scheduling Structure

2 Federal Work-Study placement(s) are authorized for this role. Work is limited to the approved Federal Work-Study duties and schedule. The position is subject to the student's available FWS award and RCC student-employment work-hour limits, with a maximum of 18.5 hours per week.

Supervision & Performance

The Smart Building Lab & Program Assistant reports to Gregory Blaize and works under the direction of C4SBT staff and instructors. Students receive role-specific training in laboratory safety, equipment, inventory procedures, and assigned responsibilities, along with regular supervision, feedback, and professional-development opportunities. All technical activities must remain within the student's level of training and be completed under appropriate staff supervision.

Advancement

Students who demonstrate strong performance, reliability, safety awareness, technical aptitude, and increasing independence may become candidates for future intermediate opportunities in smart buildings, HVAC, BAS, facilities, energy efficiency, technical laboratory support, skilled trades, or related workforce programs when available.