Smart Building Lab & Program Assistant - Learn & Earn - Roxbury Community College

Roxbury Community College; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Learn & Earn program

Job summary

Roxbury Community College is seeking a Smart Building Lab & Program Assistant to support the daily operations of the Center for Smart Building Technology (C4SBT). This entry-level role helps run labs, maintain equipment, manage inventory, and assist with safety procedures in BAS, HVAC, and building science training.

You will work with students, faculty, and employers, participate in recruitment events, and gain hands-on exposure to smart-building systems while developing professional

Qualifications

• Must be a currently enrolled RCC student eligible for the approved funding source (Federal Work-Study or Learn & Earn).
• Reliable, punctual, and able to maintain an agreed-upon work schedule.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and work under staff supervision.
• Professional communication and customer-service skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with setup and breakdown of classrooms and laboratories for BAS, HVAC, and related courses.
• Clean, organize, and conduct basic visual inspections of equipment and instructional materials.
• Complete routine laboratory-readiness checks and ensure spaces are ready for use.
• Support PPE inventory management and PPE handling procedures.
• Assist with class preparation, orientations, employer visits, and recruitment events.

Skills

Attention to detail

Professional communication

Teamwork

Basic computer skills

Reliability and punctuality

Willingness to learn

Tools

Microsoft Office

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: 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: 1

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

Recommended Hours: Weekday, evening, weekend, and approved off-campus coverage as applicable to the role and placement site

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.

Learn & Earn Responsibilities

• Assist with setup and breakdown of classrooms and laboratories for BAS, HVAC, heat pump, building science, energy efficiency, electrical, and other C4SBT courses.
• Clean, organize, and conduct basic visual inspections of benchtop trainers, tools, equipment, and instructional materials.
• Complete routine laboratory-readiness checks and help ensure instructional spaces are clean, organized, supplied, and ready for use.
• Support established Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures under staff/instructor direction, including organization of required materials.
• Monitor PPE inventories and help ensure PPE is clean, properly stored, in good condition, and accessible.
• Identify and promptly report damaged equipment, missing components, damaged wiring, safety concerns, depleted supplies, or maintenance needs.
• Assist with documenting and identifying equipment that is out of service or awaiting inspection or repair.
• Maintain and update inventories of equipment, tools, supplies, PPE, replacement components, and instructional materials.
• Assist with receiving, unpacking, labeling, organizing, and storing new equipment and supplies.
• Support approved facilities and smart-building projects, including building walkthroughs, equipment documentation, basic data collection, and space preparation under staff supervision.
• Assist with class preparation, orientations, employer visits, information sessions, recruitment events, and C4SBT programming.
• Support outreach by posting approved flyers, updating recruitment/program materials, preparing tabling materials, and promoting C4SBT training opportunities.
• Provide basic administrative support including data entry, spreadsheet updates, document organization, scanning, filing, and program-material preparation.
• Interact professionally with students, faculty, staff, employers, community partners, and visitors.

Requirements:

• Currently enrolled at Roxbury Community College for the applicable placement period.
• Meet RCC Learn & Earn eligibility requirements for the approved placement.
• Maintain good academic standing and any enrollment requirements applicable to the placement.
• Complete all required student-employment, onboarding, and payroll documentation before beginning work.
• Work only the approved Learn & Earn schedule and duties assigned by the designated 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:

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

1 Learn & Earn placement(s) are authorized for this role. Scheduling is based on the approved experiential-learning assignment, operational needs, and the student's academic commitments. RCC-funded placements are subject to applicable 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.