School of Engineering Laboratory Technician

School of Engineering

Job # 551511

Close Date: October 30, 2025

(Internal Only)

 

At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future. 

Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs. Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.

Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have more than 6,000 students of all backgrounds spread across 61 majors, 13 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs — all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability. Hands-on learning, inspired teaching, ground-breaking research, and thought-provoking creative activity happen daily at Humboldt.

Finding a better future is a task for the bold and open, the down-to-earth and visionary. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to cultivate these qualities in leaders, innovators, and scholars in every field.

(Job #551511) Instructional Support Tech III, School of Engineering Laboratory Technician, CSU Classification Salary Range: $5,044 – $7,348 per month (Step 1- Step 20), Hiring Range: $5,044- $5,460 per month (Step 1-5). Step placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience. Step placement upon appointment is not expected to exceed Step 5 ($5,460 per month) for highly qualified candidates. Future increases, including step advancement, are subject to union negotiations. This is a probationary, full-time, benefited, non-exempt, 12-month pay plan, permanent position with a one-year probationary period in the School of Engineering Department. This position comes with a premium benefits package that includes outstanding vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, voluntary pre-tax health and dependent care reimbursement accounts, a fee waiver education program, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and 14 paid holidays per year. Additional benefits information can be found at https://hraps.humboldt.edu/employee-benefits.

Please note that this is an internal recruitment open only to active, stateside, Cal Poly Humboldt Employees.

 

Position Summary:

The School of Engineering Laboratory Technician provides critical instructional support across Energy Systems, Environmental Resources, and Mechanical Engineering programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. This position is responsible for maintaining and repairing laboratory equipment, designing and fabricating custom apparatus and demonstrations, coordinating safety systems and chemical inventories, and providing technical guidance to students and faculty. The technician works independently to ensure all laboratory facilities are properly equipped, safe, and operationally ready, while also assisting with the setup of experiments and providing hands-on technical instruction. This role requires expertise in engineering principles, electronics, instrumentation, and shop skills, along with the ability to supervise student workers and coordinate with faculty on instructional activities.

Key Responsibilities:

Equipment maintenance and laboratory coordination and set up, including:

• Operates and maintains scientific equipment.
• Ensures that all appropriate equipment and supplies are available for laboratory and activity work through the School of Engineering.
• Repairs, modifies and calibrates scientific and laboratory equipment and coordinates with equipment technicians or service providers for complex repairs or fabrication.
• Coordinate regular inspection and improvement of all safety systems including engineering controls, PPE, SDS sheets, inspection reports, and safety documentation.
• Conduct chemical inventories; tracking, handling and disposing of hazardous wastes; cleaning, organization and restocking of chemical cabinets; restocking first aid kits, general cleaning and organizing of lab spaces; and periodic evaluation of safe working environments.
• Assist with the coordination of safety related activities and serve as a point of contact for organization and maintenance of electronic and hardcopy safety documentation, operating procedures, and signage.
• Participate in University and College staff safety meetings and safety audits and prepare reports for the Department Chair as needed.
• Issues equipment and supplies for field use, laboratory sessions and lecture courses.

Design and construction of demonstrations and displays, including:

• Design or assist in the design and fabrication of new laboratory equipment, experiments, and classroom demonstrations.
• Assemble demonstration and laboratory equipment when necessary.
• Design and construct equipment that cannot be easily obtained.
• Modify purchased items to be more suitable for specific uses and coordinates with equipment technicians for complex modifications.
• Design and construct displays and demonstrations of scientific and engineering principles suitable engineering students with various levels of experience.
• Occasionally assist faculty members with community presentations.
• Under general direction, plan, and direct the technical work of students in laboratories and research projects as related to proper implementation, safety and suitability.

Coordination and support of faculty and student activities, including:

• Although the incumbent does not have formal responsibility for teaching or for class content, the incumbent does conduct and assist, under academic supervision, informal instruction of laboratory classes by discussing theory and experimental procedures with students.
• Supervise student workers.
• Coordinates activities associated with the physical, chemical and computing facilities.
• Assist faculty members with the instruction of students in the proper use of scientific equipment including regular operation, maintenance, calibration and associated safety equipment and protocols.
• The incumbent provides technical supervision to students and Instructors.
• Provide direct support for students conducting independent activities or research.
• Participate in teaching activities by discussing experimental procedures, critical topics in applied disciplines and formal training on operation of experimental equipment; provides formal instruction and training to students, faculty, staff and in the proper and safe use of research, instructional and fabrication equipment.

Facilities coordination and maintenance, including:

• Works with building coordinators and Facilities Management to identify building maintenance needs and take appropriate actions to generate work orders for repair.
• Assists departmental staff and faculty members with computer hardware and software maintenance related to School of Engineering equipment.

Purchasing and bookkeeping, including:

• Maintains up to date training and proficiency in university purchasing and accounting systems.
• Researches, specifies and orders equipment, supplies and replacement parts as necessary to minimize equipment and laboratory downtime.
• Anticipates and prioritizes needs, orders equipment, supplies and materials using the university financial systems.
• Tracks orders and assures receipt of orders.
• Maintains up-to-date financial information based on university financial systems.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Associated with this Position Include:

• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of energy systems, environmental, and mechanical engineering or similar disciplines as well as knowledge of electronics, sensors, computers, computer networking and computer to instrument interfacing.
• College level coursework in the physical sciences is required.
• Ability to maintain, diagnose, repair and modify instrumentation and equipment commonly used in instructional engineering (energy systems, environmental and mechanical or similar disciplines) laboratories, including the use of hand and power tools. 
• Ability to use physics and physical principles to devise and assist faculty in devising experiments and demonstrations to assist faculty in their teaching responsibilities. 
• Ability to work independently and collegially
• Must have excellent organizational skills and dependability
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
• Ability to provide direct support for students conducting instructional activities, independent activities or research.
• Repairs, modifies and calibrates scientific and laboratory equipment and coordinates with equipment technicians or service providers for complex repairs or fabrication
• Skill in the safe operation and use of power and hand woodworking tools
• Knowledge of electrical safety practices, energy storage systems, circuit design and repair, AC/DC electronics and power conversion, load balancing strategies, microcontroller programming, and network integration for embedded systems.
• Ability to physically install and configure equipment, connections, wiring, and cable as required
• Ability to occasionally lift 50 pounds.
• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Years of Experience:

• Equivalent to three years of experience in the maintenance, repair, and operation of scientific or technical equipment used within the Engineering or Physical Science fields, including one year involving design modifications and fabrication of complex and highly technical equipment

or

• Equivalent to two years of semi-skilled experience maintaining and repairing scientific or technical equipment or related equipment experience as part of instructional support activities may be substituted for one year of the required experience

or

• Equivalent to two years of trade school or technical arts training with specialization in the repair of Engineering or Physical Science equipment, completion of an apprenticeship program, or completion of a full military specialization in the appropriate equipment and repair may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

Application Procedure: To apply, qualified candidates must electronically submit the following materials by clicking the Apply Now button:

• Letter of Interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for at least three professional references

Application Deadline: The deadline to submit application materials is 11:55 p.m. on October 30, 2025.

Any inquiries about this recruitment can be directed to careers@humboldt.edu or Cal Poly Humboldt’s Human Resources Office at (707) 826-3626.

We acknowledge that Cal Poly Humboldt is located on the unceded lands of the Wiyot people, where they have resided from time immemorial. We encourage all to gain a deeper understanding of their history and thriving culture. As an expression of our gratitude, we are genuinely committed to developing trusting, reciprocal, and long-lasting partnerships with the Wiyot people as well as all of our neighboring tribes. Cal Poly Humboldt was the first campus in the California State University system to offer a stand-alone major in Native American Studies.

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to enriching its educational environment and its culture through the diversity of its staff, faculty, and administration. Persons with interest and experience in helping organizations set and achieve goals relative to diversity and inclusion are especially encouraged to apply.

Working in the state of California is a condition of employment for this position. Even if part or all of an employee's assignment can be performed remotely, the employee must maintain a permanent residence in the state of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campus work assignment, as assigned, and come to campus when needed.

CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measure established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at CSU Vaccination Policy and any questions you have may be submitted to hr@humboldt.edu.

Cal Poly Humboldt hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. This position may be considered a “Campus Security Authority”, pursuant to the Clery Act, and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1107 a condition of employment.

CAL POLY HUMBOLDT IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

Evidence of required degree(s), certification(s), or license(s) is required prior to the appointment date. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check, employment verification, and education verification) is required for employment. Cal Poly Humboldt will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or if it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Certain positions may also require a credit check, motor vehicle report, and/or fingerprinting through Live Scan service. Failure to satisfactorily complete or adverse findings from a background check may affect the employment status of candidates or continued employment of current CSU employees who are being considered for the position.

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the Cal Poly Humboldt provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly Humboldt complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.  Cal Poly Humboldt is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly Humboldt, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Mandated Reporting: This position may be considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Additionally, all CSU staff and faculty receive training annually on their obligations in responding to and reporting incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence. You will be notified by email when you are required to take this mandated training.

 

Class Code: 1619
Publication Date:  October 10, 2025