Welding Lab Technician

Mountain Gateway Community College; Buena Vista (VA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Mountain Gateway Community College is seeking a Welding Lab Technician & Instructional Aide to support the welding laboratory, assist instructors and students with hands-on instruction, and keep a safe, organized shop environment.

The position is grant-funded and contingent upon ongoing funding, with responsibilities that include preparing materials, maintaining inventories, and demonstrating welding techniques under the course instructor's direction.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of welding processes, equipment, tools, and shop practices.
• Knowledge of welding laboratory safety procedures and safe work practices.
• Ability to safely operate and maintain common welding equipment.
• Ability to prepare welding practice and testing materials accurately.
• Ability to maintain organized and accurate equipment and consumable inventories.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, instructors, and staff.
• Ability to provide clear practical demonstrations and hands-on assistance.
• Ability to work independently while following established procedures and instructor direction.
• Strong attention to safety, cleanliness, organization, and detail.

Responsibilities

• Follow and enforce all applicable shop safety rules, procedures, and practices.
• Maintain the welding laboratory in a clean, organized, safe, and orderly condition.
• Prepare welding practice materials, test coupons, and other instructional materials as needed.
• Maintain accurate inventories of MGCC welding equipment, tools, materials, and consumable supplies.
• Monitor the condition and availability of welding equipment, tools, and consumables and communicate supply needs to the appropriate personnel.
• Perform general routine maintenance and basic troubleshooting of welding laboratory equipment.
• Assist with the setup, operation, and organization of laboratory activities, demonstrations, and testing.
• Support student learning by providing practical demonstrations and hands-on assistance within the established course syllabus and under the direction of the course instructor.
• Assist students with the proper and safe use of welding equipment, tools, materials, and related laboratory resources.
• Help ensure that laboratory activities are conducted in accordance with established safety procedures, institutional requirements, and instructional expectations.
• Assist with preparation and organization of the welding laboratory for classes, testing, demonstrations, and other instructional activities.
• Report equipment malfunctions, safety concerns, damaged tools, and other laboratory issues to the appropriate instructor or supervisor.
• Maintain a professional, supportive, and student-focused environment within the welding laboratory.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Knowledge of welding processes

Shop safety procedures

Operate welding equipment

Communication with students

Attention to safety and detail

Education

High school diploma or GED

Completed welding program / vocational training

Practical welding experience

Job description

Title: Welding Lab Technician

Agency: Mountain Gateway Community College

Location: Buena Vista - 530

FLSA: Exempt

Hiring Range: $21.00 to $27.00 an hour (depending upon education and experience)

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

Job Description

The Welding Lab Technician & Instructional Aide supports the safe, efficient, and effective operation of the welding laboratory while assisting instructors and students with hands‑on welding instruction. This position is responsible for maintaining a safe and orderly shop environment, preparing materials and equipment for instruction and testing, maintaining inventory and equipment, and providing practical demonstrations and student assistance under the direction of the course instructor.

This is a grant-funded position. The position is contingent upon the availability and continuation of grant funding and is subject to the terms, conditions, and requirements of the applicable grant award. Continuation of the position beyond the current grant funding period is not guaranteed and may be dependent upon the availability of future funding.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Follow and enforce all applicable shop safety rules, procedures, and practices.
• Maintain the welding laboratory in a clean, organized, safe, and orderly condition.
• Prepare welding practice materials, test coupons, and other instructional materials as needed.
• Maintain accurate inventories of MGCC welding equipment, tools, materials, and consumable supplies.
• Monitor the condition and availability of welding equipment, tools, and consumables and communicate supply needs to the appropriate personnel.
• Perform general routine maintenance and basic troubleshooting of welding laboratory equipment.
• Assist with the setup, operation, and organization of laboratory activities, demonstrations, and testing.
• Support student learning by providing practical demonstrations and hands‑on assistance within the established course syllabus and under the direction of the course instructor.
• Assist students with the proper and safe use of welding equipment, tools, materials, and related laboratory resources.
• Help ensure that laboratory activities are conducted in accordance with established safety procedures, institutional requirements, and instructional expectations.
• Assist with preparation and organization of the welding laboratory for classes, testing, demonstrations, and other instructional activities.
• Report equipment malfunctions, safety concerns, damaged tools, and other laboratory issues to the appropriate instructor or supervisor.
• Maintain a professional, supportive, and student‑focused environment within the welding laboratory.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Working Environment

This position works primarily in a welding laboratory/shop environment and requires regular interaction with welding equipment, tools, metals, consumable materials, heat, fumes, noise, and other conditions associated with welding instruction.

The position requires adherence to all applicable institutional and occupational safety requirements, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The employee must be able to work safely and effectively in an active laboratory/shop environment and follow established procedures for the handling, storage, and use of welding equipment, materials, and supplies.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of welding processes, equipment, tools, and shop practices.

Knowledge of welding laboratory safety procedures and safe work practices.

Ability to safely operate and maintain common welding equipment.

Ability to prepare welding practice and testing materials accurately.

Ability to maintain organized and accurate equipment and consumable inventories.

Ability to communicate effectively with students, instructors, and staff.

Ability to provide clear practical demonstrations and hands‑on assistance.

Ability to work independently while following established procedures and instructor direction.

Strong attention to safety, cleanliness, organization, and detail.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Completion of a recognized welding program, vocational/technical program, or equivalent welding training.
• Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience in welding processes, equipment, shop safety, and related practices

Additional Considerations

Industry-recognized welding certifications, such as AWS Certified Welder or other relevant welding credentials.