Instructional Assistant Physics & Engineering

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 Physics and Engineering Departments requiring in-depth knowledge of subject area and associated use of technology computers software and equipment; provides technical and instructional assistance to support laboratory and classroom activities; and provides purchasing inventory and maintenance duties for laboratory and classroom supplies materials and equipment.



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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.

1. Provides instructional support for Physics and Engineering Departments including technical and instructional assistance to students with lab experiments and reports homework special projects demonstrations or other instructional activities in classroom and laboratory settings; 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 audio-visual and computer-based lab 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 or on-site); hosts additional lab time and tutoring sessions for student projects examinations and study as needed.
2. Provides instructional support in online teaching environments including Learning Management Systems (LMS).
3. Prepares monitors and cleans-up materials and supplies for classroom and laboratory activities; collects laboratory schedules from interacts with and coordinates laboratory preparation with department faculty; transports sets up and operates physics apparatus equipment and machinery; develops tests and modifies new experiments and writes corresponding procedures; reviews experiment manuals and makes necessary changes to provide adequate procedures for experiments; designs and constructs laboratory and demonstration apparatus using a variety of tools; instructs laboratory assistants and other department staff and faculty in proper use of scientific apparatus; makes chemical solutions.
4. Performs equipment maintenance and set-up; inspects maintains and performs minor repairs to equipment; tests calibrates and adjusts precision scientific instruments and laboratory equipment; services repairs and calibrates tools; paints repairs wires and installs items in support of program operations and activities; arranges for servicing packaging shipping and repair of equipment as needed.
5. Maintains inventories and organizes the department lab facility including stockroom and project area; maintains repairs and manages inventory and distribution of department apparatus equipment and supplies; designs organizes and maintains department storage facilities; designs and builds new apparatus safely handles chemical hazards and prepares listings of unneeded hazardous materials and arranges for their pickup and removal from District premises; updates Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and other safety-related documentation for hazardous materials; maintains equipment manuals.
6. Provides initial multimedia support; develops graphics and video libraries; assists in producing graphic instructional materials; sets up and helps troubleshoot multimedia equipment; provides specifications evaluates and makes recommendations on current multimedia equipment.
7. 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 and networks; administers assigned computer network including workstations in the physics and engineering lab and tutoring center; maintains department databases; sets-up maintains and demonstrates the operation of computer interfaces sensors and related science software used for experiments and simulations; requests or arranges for assistance servicing or repair of department computer equipment from District Information Technology Services (ITS) staff or other resources.
8. Provides administrative support for physics and engineering; responds to inquiries regarding departmental operations or refers inquiries to appropriate staff; monitors coordinates and facilitates use of department facilities resources and collections for access and security; prepares or assists with the preparation of departmental reports and correspondence; maintains department records including warranties licenses and operating information for equipment and software; participates in preparation of grant proposals and the administration of grants.
9. 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; discusses new products or special needs with vendors and District staff; works with District staff to obtain laboratory lecture or other supplies; maintains expenditure records and prepares reports; advocates for the needs of the department; and creates prioritized lists of needed equipment and quotes for administration; provides input regarding annual budget development.
10. Prepares loads and transports physics and engineering materials between campuses or off-site locations; may be required to operate District vehicle for transport.
11. May perform basic first aid as needed.
12. Provides onboarding support general work training guidance supervision assistance and directs activities of students temporary employees or District staff.
13. Performs related duties that support the overall objective of the position.

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 course work in physics engineering or a related scientific field.

• Two years of increasingly responsible experience in physics or engineering laboratory.

• Valid California Drivers License.
• First Aid Certificate.
• Hazardous Materials Awareness Certificate.

• Theories concepts principles techniques protocols and applications of physics engineering and related scientific disciplines.
• Operational characteristics of laboratory apparatus equipment and materials pertaining to assigned laboratory and subject area.
• Mathematics principles and skills including calculus differential equations and scientific concepts.
• Operational characteristics of laboratory apparatus equipment and materials.
• Principles and techniques used in the repair and calibration of scientific instruments.
• Technical education and training with advanced and heavy machinery including Vertical CNC mill and associated equipment.
• Manufacturing techniques for repairs.
• Federal state and local laws codes and regulations regarding instruction support of students and laboratory protocols including but not limited to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Basic inventory bookkeeping and purchasing processes and procedures.
• Research techniques including but not limited to being able to understand and reproduce peer reviewed papers.
• English usage spelling grammar punctuation and vocabulary.

• Perform general technical and operational duties in support of the physics and engineering programs including but not limited to operating and maintaining equipment computers and tools; maintaining and organizing supply inventory and storage facility; proctoring tests; and supporting classroom and lab activities.
• Instruct others in the proper use of scientific apparatus.
• Code read technical drawings and understand dimensioning and tolerancing.
• Read and understand laboratory and technical manuals and procedures.
• Apply scientific principles to practical applications; analyze data and solve problems.
• Adapt to changing technologies and learn functionality of new equipment and systems.
• Practice safety precautions techniques and procedures including safe lifting techniques laboratory protocols and safe handling storage and disposal of hazardous materials.
• Plan and organize work to meet schedules and changing deadlines.
• Perform basic record keeping functions.
• Utilize office procedures methods and equipment including computers technology and applicable software applications sufficiently to perform the duties of the classification including Learning Management Systems (LMS) and those used in the fields of physics and engineering such as 3D modeling and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM).
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• 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.

WHY SIERRA

• One of Aspen Institutes Top150 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 Employees 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)

• Use the onlineHelp Guideor contact the NEOED Applicants Support Line at 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.