Specialist II - Lab (Physics)

South Texas College; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

South Texas College is seeking a Lab Specialist II - Physics to support faculty in the Physics Department and oversee day-to-day laboratory operations across physics, geology, meteorology, and astronomy.

Responsibilities include planning weekly lab activities, assisting instructors, preparing reagents, managing inventory, and ensuring safety per EPA/OSHA/GHS guidelines; ability to train students, collaborate with staff, and travel between campuses as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physics or closely related field, with lab-based coursework.
• At least two years of experience in a science lab.
• Experience with calibration procedures and instrumentation such as oscilloscopes and sensors.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with faculty to plan and organize weekly lab activities.
• Assists lab instructors during labs and trainings.
• Prepares reagents and assembles carts with materials for lab.
• Maintains laboratory inventory and equipment records.
• Ensures EPA/OSHA/GHS safety compliance and chemical hygiene.
• Trains students and faculty on equipment use as needed.
• Supports events and cross-trains in related physical sciences.

Skills

Communication

MS Office

Safety guidelines

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Physics or related field

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Instrumentation

Job description

Department: Physics

General Statement of Job

The Lab Specialist II- Physics provides direct support to all faculty in the Physics Department and is responsible for supporting day-to-day laboratory operations in one or more of the following areas: Physics, Physical Science, University Physics, Geology, Meteorology, and Astronomy. Maintains safety in the lab according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Global Harmonized System (GHS) guidelines, which includes but is not limited to maintaining eye wash stations, properly labeled receptacles for broken equipment and used batteries, receptacles for various waste-streams, and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) files.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities Essential Functions

• Collaborates with faculty to plan and organize weekly lab activities to ensure that instructional materials and lab experiments are available as needed.
• Assists lab instructors during regularly scheduled labs or as needed.
• Develops adequate training aids to train students and/or faculty on equipment use, as needed.
• Performs and assists in preparatory work for the labs, including reagent preparation, and preparing carts with materials for lab.
• Manages waste for the labs in compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
• Assists with completion of chemical hygiene plan for the division.
• Maintains laboratory inventory and equipment.
• Maintains accurate records related to inventory and operation of laboratory.
• Orders, receives, issues, and stores materials, parts, and supplies.
• Assists with the review of bids on materials and equipment purchases, as needed.
• Performs routine repairs on equipment and notifies proper personnel for warranty maintenance and major non-warranty repairs.
• Supports, assists, and represents the Physical Sciences and Engineering department during special events and community workshops, as needed.
• Recommends laboratory equipment and researches potential new laboratory experiments, as needed or as requested by faculty.
• Maintains equipment and lab rooms in a clean and orderly condition.
• Maintains knowledge of and practices preventive safety measures to ensure a safe learning environment.
• Identifies, addresses and reports facilities unsafe conditions.
• Cross-trains in other physical sciences (astronomy, geology, physical science, physics) to assist faculty in the other disciplines within the Physical Science and Engineering department, as needed.
• Responsible for managing the labs and may be temporarily assigned to other campuses, as needed.
• Assists with interviews, conducting reference checks, trains, and supervises the Engineering part-time staff.
• Travels throughout the college district, as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Physical Science, Geology, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, or a closely related field, with an emphasis on laboratory-based coursework. At least two (2) years of experience in a science lab is required. Experience in calibration procedures, troubleshooting equipment issues, instrumentation, such as e/M apparatus, oscilloscopes, force sensors, or other analytical tools; and conducting environmental or physical testing methodologies is preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Excellent oral, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills. Strong computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office including, but not limited to, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, the Windows environment, and internet research skills. Knowledge of the physical science field, preferably physics and/or engineering. Familiarity of a science laboratory, including safety and precautions. Ability to use specialized instruments, equipment, software and perform experiments and demonstrations in the specialty area. Knowledge of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Global Harmonized System (GHS) guidelines. Ability to prioritize, organize, and complete multiple tasks with attention to detail, within stated deadlines. Ability to adapt to constant change and periods of fast-paced, high-intensity work situations. Ability to work independently as well as a team player within department and with others. Ability to work evenings and/or weekends as needed; willing to travel throughout the college district using own means of reliable transportation. Demonstrated commitment to achieving the vision and mission of South Texas College. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to inquiries from groups of students, faculty, staff, and the general public. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Checks, Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

All applicants are subject to a criminal background check under South Texas College policy. Must have or qualify for a valid Texas driver's license and proof of liability insurance.

Physical Requirements

Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine. Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips. Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling. Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm. Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound. Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles. Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes. Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely. Standing particularly for sustained periods of time. Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles. Close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading. Close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and operation of machines, using measurement devices, and/or assembly or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes. Mobility to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another. Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to chemicals, fumes and particulates that may present health hazards if not handled according to safety protocols; standing frequently; may be required to work at multiple campus locations and various high school locations. Work hours frequently include evenings and weekends throughout the year depending on course and laboratory schedules.

Minimum Compensation

$21.00

Desired Start Date

September 24, 2026

Posting Close Date

3 September 2026 11:59pm

About Us

Founded in 1993, South Texas College offers more than 127 degree & certificate options, including associate degrees in a variety of liberal art, social science, business, math, science, technology, advanced manufacturing, and allied health fields of study. Additionally, South Texas College is the only community college in the State of Texas to offer 5 baccalaureate degrees. South Texas College has a faculty and staff of more than 2,200 to serve the college’s five campuses, two higher education centers, and one virtual campus. Since 2000, the Dual Credit Programs has served 130,000 high school students at 70 high school partners, saving families over $340 million dollars in tuition.