Instructional Assistant – Environmental and Natural Sciences

Description

Sierra College has a strong commitment to the achievement of equity and inclusion among its faculty, staff, and students and values the rich, diverse backgrounds that make up the campus community. A strong candidate for this position must have the understanding and ability to successfully support individuals with varying backgrounds. This includes persons with disabilities, various gender identities, and sexual orientations, as well as individuals from historically underrepresented communities and other groups. Our District is committed to providing strategies for success and proactive student-centered practices and policies focused on eliminating equity gaps to ensure the District provides an inclusive educational and employment environment focused on strategies for success and equitable outcomes for all.

Summary Description
Under general supervision from assigned manager and in collaboration with instructional faculty, provides instructional support to the Environmental Sciences and Sustainability department and other natural science programs (i.e., agriculture, etc.), requiring in-depth knowledge of subject area, environmental sustainability standards and practices, and associated use of technology, computers, software, and equipment; provides technical and instructional assistance to support laboratory, field, and classroom activities; and provides purchasing, inventory, and maintenance duties for laboratory, field, and classroom supplies, materials, and equipment.

Need Help With Your Online Account?

• Use the online Help Guide or contact theNEOED Applicants Support Line at 855-524-5627if you need assistance with your online applicant account.
• Applicant Support is available between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

If you have any questions about this position, please contact the Human Resources Department at hr@sierracollege.edu .

Examples Of Functions and Tasks

Representative Duties
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
Provides instructional support primarily for the Environmental Sciences and Sustainability (ESS) department, and secondarily for other natural sciences programs, including providing technical and instructional assistance to students with special projects, field trips, homework, and classroom, laboratory, and field presentations, demonstrations, and other instructional activities; proctors exams and quizzes; collaborates with faculty to set up demonstrations; assists with curriculum planning and coordination; assists with layout and production of instructional materials, including graphics and presentation audio-visual aids; researches, learns, and shares information regarding new techniques and methods with District staff; assists with class projects; provides ongoing times and locations for formal tutoring sessions (online and/or on-site); hosts additional lab time and tutoring sessions for student projects, examinations, and study, as needed.Provides instructional support in online teaching environments, including Learning Management Systems (LMS), purchasing and assembling take home lab kits, and coordinating distribution activities.Prepares, monitors, and cleans-up materials and supplies for classroom, laboratory, and field activities; collects laboratory schedules from, interacts with, and coordinates laboratory, field, farm, and greenhouse preparation for activities with department faculty; cultivates and maintains specimens and cultures to meet classroom requirements; arranges for donations; prepares and disposes of chemical solutions, biological waste, and specialized materials; arranges preserved dissection materials or bio-technical microscopic materials for classroom, laboratory, and field use.Performs equipment maintenance and set-up; inspects, maintains, and performs minor repairs to equipment, including hydrologic flow meters, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), soil/air/water quality meters, aquaria, and greenhouse and farm apparatus; participates in processes to upgrade or replace equipment and resources; tests, calibrates, adjusts and provides technical support precision scientific instruments, tools, and laboratory equipment; arranges for servicing, packaging, shipping, and repair of equipment, as needed.Maintains, inventories, and organizes the department facilities, including stockroom, indoor and outdoor classroom spaces, and project areas; maintains, repairs, and manages inventory and distribution of department apparatus, equipment, and supplies; collects and curates biological collections and specimens; arranges for timely receipt of and maintains purchased living and perishable specimens for labs; inspects incoming shipments and distributes or stores in proper locations; designs, organizes, and maintains department storage facilities; prepares listings of unneeded hazardous materials and arranges for pickup and removal from District premises; updates Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and other safety-related documentation for hazardous materials.Provides initial computer technical assistance, training, and support to faculty, staff, and students; installs, removes, maintains, and assists with troubleshooting of department computer hardware and software; assists with set up of department computer systems; maintains department databases; requests or arranges for assistance, servicing, or repair of department computer equipment from District Information Technology Services (ITS) staff or other resources.Provides administrative support for department; responds to inquiries regarding departmental operations or refers inquiries to appropriate staff; assists in the maintenance of assigned natural area(s); monitors, coordinates, and facilitates use of department facilities, resources, and collections for access and security; prepares or assists with preparation of department reports and correspondence; maintains department records, including warranties, licenses, and operating information for equipment and software.Participates in the preparation and administration of assigned budget(s); researches and purchases assigned contracts, materials, and supplies and determines future needs; works with vendors to obtain quotes; requests purchase orders; inventories supplies and instructional materials, including biological specimens and chemical reagents; discusses new products or special needs with vendors and District staff; works with District staff to obtain laboratory, lecture, field, or other supplies; maintains expenditure records and prepares reports; advocates for the needs of the department; creates prioritized lists of needed equipment for administration; provides input regarding annual budget development.Curates teaching specimens and collaborates with Sierra College’s Natural History Museum and Museum Director and staff; performs duties related to natural science displays and specimen curation, including preparing, collecting, and maintaining specimen inventory and exhibits.Prepares, loads, and transports department materials between campuses, specialized study sites, or off-site locations; may be required to operate District vehicle for transport.Arranges student transportation to and from field trips, including completing and submitting vehicle reservation requests, confirming vehicle reservations, and coordinating with Facilities staff.May perform basic first aid, as needed.Provides onboarding support, general work training, guidance, supervision assistance, and directs activities of students, temporary employees, or District staff.Performs related duties that support the overall objective of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience Guidelines
Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the required above knowledge and abilities is qualifying. Examples of ways to obtain the above knowledge and abilities could include, but are not limited to, the following:

Education/Training

• Two years of college with major coursework in the environmental sciences, natural sciences, or related scientific fields.

Experience

• Two years of increasingly responsible experience in environmental sciences, natural sciences, or related scientific fields.

License/Certificate - Possession of, or ability to obtain within a reasonable timeframe, each of the following:

• Valid California Driver’s License.
• First Aid Certificate.
• Hazardous Materials Awareness Certificate.

QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Theories, concepts, principles, techniques, protocols, and applications of environmental sciences, ecology, agriculture, and other related natural science disciplines such as aquatic ecotoxicology, fluvial geomorphology, soil science, environmental horticulture, and green chemistry.
• Laboratory procedures, equipment, tests, research techniques, and experiments in environmental and natural sciences.
• Operational characteristics of laboratory apparatus, equipment, and materials.
• Principles and techniques used in the repair and calibration of scientific instruments.
• Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations regarding specimen collection and storage, instruction, and support of students, including, but not limited to, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Fish & Game Code (FGC) sections 1002, 1002.5, and 1003.
• Basic inventory, bookkeeping, and purchasing processes and procedures.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.

Ability to:

• Perform general technical and operational duties in support of the Environmental Sciences and Sustainability department and other related natural science programs, including, but not limited to, operating and maintaining laboratory and field equipment, computers, and tools; maintaining and organizing supply inventory and storage facilities; adhering to environmental sustainability standards; proctoring tests; and supporting classroom, field, and lab activities.
• Maintain and care for living specimens, including, but not limited to, aquatic invertebrates (i.e., freshwater zooplankton and brine shrimp), fish (i.e., salmonids), diverse algal cultures, a variety of plants, and small farm animals (i.e., chickens).
• Properly mix, utilize, store, and dispose of chemical reagents and materials.
• Read and interpret diagrams, schematics, and technical manuals.
• Apply scientific principles to practical applications; analyze data and solve problems.
• Adapt to changing technologies and learn the functionality of new equipment and systems.
• Practice safety precautions, techniques, and procedures, including safe lifting techniques, laboratory and field protocols, and safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials.
• Plan and organize work to meet schedules and changing deadlines.
• Perform record keeping functions, including project documentation with progress and outcome updates and/or reports to stakeholders.
• Utilize office procedures, methods, and equipment effectively, including computers, technology, and applicable software applications sufficiently to perform the duties of the classification, including those used in the fields of Environmental Sustainability and other related natural sciences, and Learning Management Systems (LMS).
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Make arithmetic calculations of average to above average difficulty.
• Follow oral and written directions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Provide onboarding support, general work training, guidance, supervision assistance, and direct activities of students, temporary employees, or District staff.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work independently and collaboratively.
• Apply District policies and procedures.

Physical Demands and Working Environment
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment:Work is performed indoors in an education center/classroom/laboratory setting and outdoors in the field; exposure to dusts, mists, fumes, noxious odors, wet/damp surfaces, extreme heat or cold, moderately high levels of noise, chemicals and caustics, and allergenic plants and materials; risk of insect and animal stings and bites; risk of exposure to blood borne and/or other pathogens; work with laboratory equipment and apparatus. Moderate exposure to risks controlled by safety precautions.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office and/or indoor/outdoor education center/classroom/laboratory setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to walk, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate laboratory and office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination, including use of a computer keyboard and mouse; to verbally communicate to exchange information; and requires the wearing of personal protective equipment, including safety glasses or goggles, lab coats, rubber or plastic gloves, respirators, or face shields.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; and to operate assigned equipment.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Supplemental Information

WHY SIERRA?

• One of Aspen Institute’s Top 150 Community Colleges in the nation
• The Accrediting Commission recognized Sierra “for its exemplary practice of providing personnel with opportunities for continued professional development in order to meet its mission.” This includes providing students and employees with a robust set of programs, events, and conferences related to equity-mindedness and supporting the success of our students, etc.
• Public Employee’s Retirement System (PERS)
• 18 paid holidays (including extended time off during the winter break)
• 12 accrued paid vacation days per year (vacation accrual increases over time)
• Competitive benefits package
• Flexible work schedules may be available
• Currently during summers, some employee groups participate in 4x10 schedules
• Qualifying Employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (in most cases)

Sierra College is a Community College located near Sacramento, California where a heavy emphasis is placed on academic excellence and student success. Since its founding in 1936, Sierra College has focused on quality instruction and meeting the evolving needs of the students and communities that it serves. The Sierra Community College District covers more than 3,200 square miles and serves the Northern California foothill counties of Placer and Nevada, as well as parts of El Dorado and Sacramento. We serve over 17,000 students throughout the region in both on-ground and online courses, including students at our main Rocklin Campus as well as at two centers located in Grass Valley and Tahoe/Truckee. Our District prides itself on academic excellence.

Sierra College has a strong commitment to the achievement of equity and inclusion among its faculty, staff, and students and values the rich, diverse backgrounds that make up the campus community. A strong candidate for this position must demonstrate a profound understanding of and experience with successfully supporting individuals with varying backgrounds. This includes persons with disabilities, various gender identities and sexual orientations, as well as individuals from historically underrepresented communities and other groups. Our District is committed to providing strategies for success and proactive student-centered practices and policies focused on eliminating equity gaps to ensure the District provides an inclusive educational and employment environment focused on strategies for success and equitable outcomes for all.

As an institution, Sierra College is committed to eliminating the equity gap in all student populations with dynamic, learner-centered practices and policies that fully engage the college community. The ideal candidate will share the College’s commitment to helping its racially and socioeconomically diverse students succeed in their degree and career objectives. Currently, Sierra College enrolls 17,800 students per term, where approximately: 23% of Sierra College’s students are Latin(o)(a)(x)(e), 3% are African-American/Black, 2% are Filipino, 6% are Asian, 1% are American Indian/Alaskan Native, 8% are Multiethnic and 55% are White.

The successful candidate will join a College dedicated to the use of culturally responsive strategies and methods that meet the varying needs of our students, faculty, staff, and surrounding community. Sierra College demonstrates its commitment to equity by supporting ongoing professional development for students, faculty, and staff. These opportunities include trainings and workshops on equity and inclusion, active Academic Senate standing committees concerned with student success and equity, a Presidential Equity Advisory Committee (PEAC), culturally responsive student engagement centers, support for our undocumented and AB540 students, campus-wide equity summits, a robust set of programs, events, and conferences related to equity-mindedness and supporting the success of our diverse students.

Need Help With Your Online Account?

• Use the online Help Guide or contact the NEOED Applicants Support Line at 855-524-5627 if you need assistance with your online applicant account.
• Applicant Support is available between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

If you have any questions about this position, please contact the Human Resources Department at hr@sierracollege.edu .

Helpful Tip:
Please note that as described above a strong candidate for this position must demonstrate a profound understanding of and experience with successfully supporting individuals with varying backgrounds; and therefore, hiring committees assess candidates for these knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Applicants may want to consider incorporating culturally-inclusive/equity-minded strategies practiced and/or evidence of the responsiveness to and understanding of the racial, socioeconomic, and cultural diversity of community college student populations throughout their application materials (including application and documents uploaded, if any).

Please see the Sierra College website for additional helpful tips and tools for prospective applicants .

Travel expenses may be partially reimbursed for candidates traveling beyond a 150 mile radius for second round interviews. All other travel expenses will be borne by the candidate (if in person interviews).

Terms and Conditions of Employment:
Other terms and conditions of employment are specified in the applicable collective bargaining agreements on file in the District Human Resources Department. Position description of record on file in the Human Resources Department.

*Sierra Community College District currently operates campuses in Rocklin, Truckee and Grass Valley. In its management of a multi-campus environment, the District reserves right of assignment including the right to change assignment locations and shift assignments based on District need. Although this position may currently reside at the Rocklin campus, the assignment location may be subject to change as needed. Additionally, the district reserves the right to cancel, revise or re-announce this position as well as any and all positions at any time.

EEO / TITLE IX EMPLOYER
Sierra College is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination and the achievement of diversity and equity among its faculty, staff, and students.

Persons with inquiries about the application of Title IX and/or EEO may contact the Director of Diversity, EEO & Title IX (Title IX Coordinator) at the address below, at (916) 660-7006 or via email at EEOT9@sierracollege.edu .

Persons with questions regarding reasonable accommodation of physical and other disabilities should contact the Sierra College Human Resources Department at (916) 660-7105.

If you have limitations hearing or speaking, the State of California offers a specially-trained Communications Assistant (CA) that can relay telephone conversations for all of your calls. Dial 711 to reach the California Relay Service (CRS). Dialing 711 is for everyone, not just those who have difficulty hearing on a standard phone. If you prefer having your calls immediately answered in your mode of communication, dial one of the toll-free modality and language-specific numbers below. The call will be routed to the CRS provider.

TTY/VCO/HCO to Voice
English 1-800-735-2929
Spanish 1-800-855-3000

Voice to TTY/VCO/HCO
English 1-800-735-2922
Spanish 1-800-855-3000

From or to Speech-to- Speech
English & Spanish 1-800-854-7784

Sierra Community College offers benefit packages to full-time employees including: family coverage health, dental and vision insurance, Public Employee's Retirement System (PERS) OR State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) retirement, income protection, life insurance, sick leave, vacation, and holidays as provided according to District policy.

Closing Date/Time: 2/12/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• Sierra Community College District

• (916) 660-7100

Show more