RACC Regular Part-Time Employee Benefits

 We value prospective faculty and staff, and all that they contribute to enriching Reading Area Community College. Recognizing the vital role our fabulous faculty and staff play in the success of both our students and institution, we offer a valuable program of top-notch benefits to our regular part-time (25 hpw) employees, including:

• 403(b) retirement plan with immediate vesting and competitive employer match;
• Paid Time Off upon satisfying applicable wait period;
• Tuition Waiver Program for employee, employees’ spouse & dependents.

Plus a host of employee perks!

Working Hours: 

Consists of a 25-hour work week during the academic year from mid-August to mid-May. In summer periods (mid-May and through mid-August), work hours will be reduced to 16 hours per week. If additional hours are needed by the department for the summer periods, those hours are to be agreed upon between the supervisor and employee.

Note: this position may require occasional evening hours, to be agreed upon between the supervisor and the employee. The working schedule will depend upon the number/time of sections offered during a given semester.  A schedule will be determined by the Dean and the employee at the beginning of each semester. The working hours on any given day will not be divided so as to require the employee to report to work more than one time unless agreed upon by both parties.         

Summary: 

The Science Laboratory Assistant has responsibility for supporting and maintaining laboratory operations in one or more of the following laboratories areas: Biology, Microbiology, Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, and Physics. This position reports to the Associate Dean of STEM and performs duties for all science laboratory instructors.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Set-up Laboratory, disassemble, and cleanup for assigned area.
• Maintain a standard operating procedures manual for allocated areas, as needed.
• Ensure inventory and safety of chemicals in assigned areas.
• Maintain inventory of supplies and other teaching materials, and equipment in assigned area.
• Ensure allocated laboratories and prep areas are organized and well-maintained.
• Assist, and/or be available for assistance, during laboratory classes.
• Perform any other job-related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:                                                 

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications:

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

Education and/or Experience:

Required:

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry or closely related field from an accredited institution is required.

Preferred:

Experience working in a laboratory setting.

Other Qualifications:                                         

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures, laboratory manuals and or governmental regulations (OSHA).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the STEM Division Community.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Communication Skills:                                                  

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to perform independent research, effectively present information and respond to questions from faculty and students.

Mathematical Skills:                                             

Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Ability to apply advanced math concepts such as exponents, and logarithms.

Reasoning Ability:                                              

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills:                                                 

Must have a working knowledge of basic computer hardware, Microsoft applications software and Internet use.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here 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 functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles or caustic chemicals.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.