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Position Title: Laboratory Technician (Physical Science)

Department: Physical Science (PHS)

Division: Mathematics and Sciences (MAS)                                        

Employee Status: Continuous Part-time (up to 25 hours/week)

Group: Support Staff Association (SSA UNION)

Grade: 9 ($20.00-$21.00 hourly) 

FLSA: Non-exempt

ICCB Classification:

Issued: 

Updated: 5/16/2022; 08/02/2023; 06/2026

Application Deadline: July 12, 2026 

Rock Valley College does not offer sponsorship for employment-based visas for this position now or in the future. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to: Dean of Mathematics and Sciences

Closely Partnered with: Full-Time Physical Sciences Laboratory Manager

Supervision Exercised: Supervision is exercised over student workers

Job Summary
Perform specialized chemical lab duties as required using knowledge from a chemistry education and the experience level required for this position. These duties include the determination and preparation of the proper concentrations of a variety of chemical solutions and the best packaging and placement for students' safe usage in addition to water storage. Also required is the setup and removal of laboratory equipment for the student exercises, experiments and faculty demonstrations for the chemistry labs. Prepare and store all chemicals and solutions in a safe manner as to meet state OSHA requirements. Work closely with the faculty and full-time laboratory manager to identify and mitigate laboratory safety hazards. Excellent communication and organization skills are a must. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Additional related duties may be assigned.

1. Prepare materials and anticipate prompt setup and take down of those items and resources needed for the chemistry labs to operate appropriately, including experiments and lab practicals.
2. Prepare stock solutions and unknowns using analytical equipment (including but not limited to burette hand titration and serial dilution,). Familiarity with IR and GC operations preferred.
3. Provide laboratory solutions and chemicals in appropriately labeled containers and in amounts suitable for student use and to reduce waste and contamination.
4. Maintain and restock general laboratory utility equipment as necessary for student use.
5. Maintain and restock scientific and analytical instrumentation support materials and report low stock to full-time laboratory manager for re-ordering.
6. Repair breakdowns of small equipment (drawer locks), and facilitate glass waste removal.
7. Perform daily maintenance and rudimentary cleaning of equipment and countertops in student laboratories and storage rooms to ensure a safe and clean work environment.
8. Maintain a safe and logically ordered laboratory storage room.
9. Store chemicals in recommended cabinets or shelving by groups of compatibility.
10. Clean and wash laboratory equipment and glassware which has been cleaned improperly by the students after their use.
11. Assist the full-time Laboratory Manager in ordering chemical supplies using Colleague and assorted vendors as needed.
12. Assist in maintaining the chemical inventory database of all chemicals in stock. This must be updated at a minimum of annually.
13. Assist in updating the computer database of experiment setup sheets. This must be updated at the close of each semester to keep abreast of all changes.
14. Assist in coordinating laboratory check-in and check-out procedures.
15. Request maintenance service for needed items from Plant Operations and Maintenance or IT.
16. Conduct informational tours for prospective students as needed.
17. Assist in providing for the safe storage of in-house generated hazardous wastes. Maintain ongoing inventory lists as these wastes are generated.
18. Possess the ability to prioritize and organize work effectively, to work with minimal supervision, and to develop and maintain effective working relationships with faculty and the full-time lab manager.
19. Use tact and courtesy, and establish and maintain effective relationships with persons contacted in the course of work.

20. Regular attendance is expected and mandatory to employee success.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in life science or physical science (preferred) or Bachelor's degree in Education or related field with a major in Chemistry; must have minimum 20 hours total, including both chemistry and physics. Other qualifications include working knowledge of: adherence to proper laboratory safety practices and procedures, computers and software, analytical instrumentation operation and maintenance, spreadsheets and databases. The successful candidate must have the desire and ability to interact positively with all Physical Science faculty (Chemistry, Physics, Geology, and Physical Geography).

Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee works indoors.

Physical Demands
Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, talk and hear.