Academic Technician

Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dickinson College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

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Please submit the following documents: On-line application Resume Cover Letter References (3)

Posting Details

Position Information

Posting Number S00520
Position Title Academic Technician
Working Title Environmental Studies Department Academic Technician
Position Number
Pay Grade/Category Sr. Contributor / Administrator B
Position Type Non-exempt

Division and Department Information

Division Academic Affairs
Department Environmental Studies

Posting Information

Job Summary/Basic Function The Academic Technician for Environmental Studies provides academic and technical support for coursework, laboratories, field trips, and research; communicates with perspective students, student majors, and alumni; and coordinates department activities. 
The position requires strong written and oral communication skills; experience with laboratory procedures and field equipment for environmental monitoring; familiarity with environmental studies curriculum and pedagogies; and the ability to take initiative, troubleshoot, and solve problems with minimal supervision. 

Responsibilities include:

  • Laboratory/technical responsibilities (40%)
  • Oversight of field safety, laboratory safety, chemical safety, and hazardous materials handling
  • Department scientific equipment upkeep including: purchasing, inventory, maintenance, and training 
  • Maintain a stock of laboratory supplies and chemicals
  • Prepare and update laboratory protocols as needed
  • Coordinate student use of laboratory space and equipment

Academic support (40%)

  • Prepare and clean-up for in-house and field-based laboratories and class trips, which includes support and periodic attendance on day-long or overnight class trips
  • Provide support for student research projects
  • Coordinate fleet vehicle reservations for field based labs, class trips, and research
  • Coordinate with college centers (including Print Center and Media Center) on student projects
  • Hire, train, and supervise student employees including Teaching Assistants and the department’s Logistics and Outreach Assistant
  • Work closely with faculty on curriculum development and enhancement, particularly for labs and field trips

Department communications and outreach (20%)

  • Organize and host the department seminar series
  • Coordinate with majors, faculty, college, offices, and co-curricular programs such as the Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring, the Dickinson College Farm, the Center for Sustainability Education, and student environmental groups
  • Develop and maintain the department website and hallway exhibit spaces
  • Design a department newsletter to distribute to alumni

Equipment Used:

  • Oversee and maintain all department equipment, including: microscopes, sampling equipment, AA, vacuum pumps, incubator, drying ovens, spectrophotometers, nutrient analyzer, fluorometer, and water quality meters

Software Programs Used:

  • Microsoft Office
  • GIS
  • Any necessary for communications and publishing (website, Publisher, Adobe Suite, Piktochart) 
  • Others specific to equipment (microscope imaging, AA)
Preferred Qualifications A bachelors degree (B.A. or B.S) and relevant experience or Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, or a related field is required.

Must have a valid operator’s license for not less than two (2) years and the license must be in good standing without interruption during that time period.
Physical Demands Physical Requirements:

  • Moving equipment between and within labs
  • Moving computers between labs
  • Setting up equipment
  • Using field sampling equipment (various) 
  • Driving vans
  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs

Personal Protective Equipment:

  • As necessary for task: gloves, goggles, lab coat, etc.

Work Schedule

Advertised Work Schedule Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Occasional evenings and weekends for events and field trips.
Number of hours/day 8
Number of hours/week 40
Proposed Start Date 07/10/2017

Posting Detail Information

Open Until Filled Yes
Application Review Begin Date 04/24/2017
Is this a Temporary Position? No
Full-Time/Part-Time Full Time
If Full-Time, please specify 12 month full-time (52 weeks)
If Part-Time, please specify Not Applicable
EEO Statement The College is committed to building a representative and diverse faculty, administrative staff, and student body. We encourage applications from all qualified persons.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

  1. Resume
  2. Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Optional Documents

Please apply to this job here: https://jobs.dickinson.edu/postings/3825