Job Abstract

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, students and staff that make the university a great place to work.  

As a community of Dornsife College “we are committed to the creation, preservation, and communication of fundamental knowledge in all its forms…as well as a lifelong passion for learning and a commitment to the betterment of society.”  The academic mission of Dornsife College can only be realized to its fullest potential when we build and protect a representative, equitable, inclusive culture of scholarship for students, faculty, and staff.  This is not done through initiatives but by embedding these values into the everyday interactions, relationships, policies, and practices of the College.  What is required is a seamless integration of the tenets of equity and inclusivity into every facet of academic life.  If we want our scholars, staff, and students to be able to give their very best, we must create an academic environment that portends success.  

Success is possible when every member of the Dornsife community owns their role as a steward of the culture in which we learn, research, and work; when we believe that it is because of who we are that we are able to do what we do: achieve excellence, together. 

Achieving a robust and inclusive academic culture requires more than just the completion of a task, but includes that person’s capacity to contribute positively to the relationships and culture of their office or department.  Therefore, any applicant seeking to advance the mission of Dornsife College should also be assessed on their capacities beyond the technical elements of their work, and demonstrate an understanding of their impact on others, and to articulate how they contribute positively to those around them.

The USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences is seeking a Senior Instructional Laboratory Technician to join its team. The ideal candidate will be able to provide advanced or specialized laboratory technical services and support to students and faculty in the department.

Instructional Lab Technician, Senior

Job Location: Los Angeles, CA 

The Department of Biological Sciences in the Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences at the University of Southern California invites applications for the Instructional Lab Technician, Senior position.

Job responsibilities include:

• Organize and maintain laboratory facilities, equipment, materials and supplies for instructional experiments.
• Coordinates and plans lab exercises with Lab Manager. Conducts library research to assist in the planning and design of experiments. Tests and conducts experiments, exercises, and demonstrations.
• Provides technical assistance regarding pre- and post-experiment preparations and processes.
• Controls and monitors supply inventories. Approves supply orders and negotiates directly with vendors as appropriate. Oversees the maintenance, cataloging and inventory control of slides and other teaching materials used by faculty and students.
• Constructs, adapts, or acquires specialized lab equipment to meet specific instruction or research needs. Troubleshoots, operates, repairs, and maintains equipment and instrumentation.
• Prepares detailed reports of laboratory preparation and activities as requested.
• Ensures compliance with health and safety standards of laboratory operations.
• Maintains instructional facility in orderly, operable condition. Maintains security and safety of equipment, samples, specimens, and data. Prepares and labels materials and waste for storage and disposes as needed.
• Provides direction to other laboratory assistants. Assists in hiring, training, and scheduling work assignments. Monitors work and provides performance feedback.

Key skills/abilities include:

• Excellent time management, organizational, record-keeping skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to lead and follow through and provide work direction required.
• Must be comfortable working with laboratory animals.
• Must be knowledgeable of computers, Word and Excel.
• Must be a highly motivated and enthusiastic team player, with excellent problem-solving skills.

Hourly range: The hourly rate range for this position is $28.68 - $30.61. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Required Documents and Additional Information:

• Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file).
• Job openings are posted for a minimum of (5) five business days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.
• USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions after six months of employment; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer that Values Diversity.

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu.  Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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