Instructional Assistant - Chemistry

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under direction of assigned manager, provides a full range of instructional support to the Chemistry Department’s faculty, students, and staff requiring in-depth knowledge of subject area; provides tutorial assistance to students in a classroom or laboratory setting; provides assistance to students and staff in the use of technology; maintains equipment in assigned labs; supervises and provides training to student and/or other temporary workers; and performs a variety of other duties as needed to provide technical and teaching assistance to support instructional program laboratory activities.

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 .

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.

Prepares laboratory experiments; reads syllabi to prioritize duties and organize timeline for laboratory preparation; discusses specifics of experiments with instructors; reads laboratory manuals to understand concepts and prepare proper equipment and reagents; prepares and standardizes chemicals and solutions; maintains, repairs, and calibrates equipment, apparatus, and instrumentation used for experiments; troubleshoots and corrects inconsistencies and problems with laboratory experiments; prepares and distributes “unknown” samples to students and instructors; collects, cleans, and restocks equipment and glassware when experiments are finished; cleans laboratory rooms.Handles hazardous chemicals and waste following OSHA and CalOSHA regulations regarding the proper handling, storage, waste treatment, and disposal of chemicals; cleans up hazardous chemical spillage; collects and processes hazardous wastes from laboratory experiments; maintains separation of incompatible chemicals; combines compatible chemical waste for storage and performs stabilization treatment of hazardous waste until removal; performs detailed labeling of hazardous chemical waste storage bottles; updates and tracks Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) materials for all chemicals.Ensures safe laboratory practices are followed; monitors students’ activities in the laboratories to ensure health and safety of all persons; monitors laboratory environment to ensure spills are treated appropriately and all hazards are minimized; ensures safety rules are followed by students; tests eye washes and showers to ensure proper working condition; ensures current insurance carrier safety requirements are met.Maintains supply lists and orders supplies; coordinates with instructors to determine current and future needs and how best to meet them; coordinates with vendors to obtain quotes and information about supplies; researches and compares chemical and equipment pricing and technical aspects of instruments; reviews advantages and disadvantages of products and chooses products in consultation with mangers and instructors; completes requisitions for supplies, orders products from vendors, and obtains supplies available at local stores; tracks orders; returns defective merchandise and obtains replacements; stocks and maintains forms; updates and organizes master supply lists; collaborates with other areas of the college to borrow, lend, or trade equipment and supplies.Monitors and documents all chemicals and supplies in the department; obtains and utilizes appropriate forms to document and report all chemicals in the department; appropriately labels and stores all chemicals to ensure compatibility and safe storage; obtains, tracks, and supplies to appropriate authorities Chemical Abstract Registry numbers and Material Safety Data Sheets for all chemicals in the department.Maintains and repairs departmental laboratories, stockrooms, and classrooms; performs minor repairs; places, tracks, and follows-up on work orders for more major repairs and maintenance of equipment; cleans and maintains equipment and facilities.Provides instructional assistance to students; assists students with questions regarding lectures and laboratory course work; proctors exams and quizzes; serves as on-site tutor; sets times and locations for formal tutoring sessions; arranges for extra tutoring sessions to coincide with tests.Maintains and assists with troubleshooting of departmental computer hardware and software including workstations in student computer lab; provides initial computer technical assistance to faculty, staff and students; installs, removes, maintains, and assists with troubleshooting of departmental personal computer hardware and software; answers questions and provides training to students and/or staff members; requests or arranges for assistance, servicing, and/or repair of departmental computer equipment from District information technology staff or other technology resources.Provides a variety of support and assistance to students and the department; organizes, assigns, and maintains student equipment lockers; applies and releases holds on student records in accordance with established District policies and procedures; refers incoming departmental telephone calls to appropriate party; communicates with companies and individuals regarding donating equipment; answers questions from the public and other entities; participates in preparation of grant proposals and the administration of grants.Recruits, hires, trains, and schedules students and other temporary employees; provides assignments and detailed instructions; monitors work performed and takes appropriate action; completes and processes time sheets and other necessary paperwork; monitors hours worked and budgets.Performs related duties as required.

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:

• Chemical principles including general, analytical, organic, and inorganic chemistry as well as biochemistry.
• Chemical properties including reactivities, solubilities, toxicities, flash points, vapor pressures, compatibilities, and chemical grading techniques.
• Chemical nomenclature including International Union for Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) conventions as well as common names of organic and inorganic reagents.
• Operational characteristics of laboratory apparatus, instruments, equipment, and materials pertaining to assigned laboratory and subject area.
• Mathematical principles and scientific concepts including those related to the preparation of chemical solutions and compounds.
• Theories, concepts, principles, applications, and techniques used in chemistry laboratories.
• Laboratory safety protocols and procedures including proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including applicable computer hardware and software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and database management,
• Basic inventory processes and procedures.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Principles of lead supervision and training.
• Research techniques.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.

Ability to:

• Prepare primary standard solutions and standardize solutions to within five parts per thousand using ninety percent confidence limit.
• Assemble, utilize, test, calibrate, clean, and make minor repairs to various chemistry laboratory apparatus and other equipment; instruct others in the use of scientific apparatus.
• Classify elements and compounds according to the Flinn system.
• Identify, classify, separate, and precipitate hazardous wastes.
• Observe laboratory protocols and ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
• Assist with instructional tasks including to administer tests and tutor students.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, database management, network management, desktop publishing, and Internet navigation applications.
• Adapt to changing technologies and learn functionality of new equipment and systems.
• Read and understand laboratory manuals, technical manuals, and laboratory procedures.
• Make arithmetic calculations of average to above average difficulty.
• Hire, train, and supervise student and/or other temporary help.
• Work independently and collaboratively.
• Maintain accurate records.
• Inventory and purchase chemicals, supplies, and equipment; organize storage facilities.
• Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
• Apply scientific principles to practical applications; analyze data and solve problems.
• Learn and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as administrative and departmental policies and procedures.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. Examples of ways to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Education/Training: Two years of college with major course work in chemistry. A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is desirable.
• Experience: Two years of increasingly responsible chemistry laboratory experience.
• License or Certificate:
  • Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver’s license.
  • Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Hazardous Materials Awareness Training Card.

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 primarily indoors in an education classroom/center/laboratory setting; exposure to chemicals, hazardous materials, dusts, mists, fumes, gases, solvents, wet/damp surfaces, and noise; risk of cuts and sticks from handling glassware and other sharp objects and subsequent contact with 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 education center/classroom/laboratory setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally 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; 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 distinguish color; and to operate assigned equipment.
• Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

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

Closing Date/Time: Wed, 09 Apr 2025

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• Sierra Community College District

• (916) 660-7100

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