Job Details
Laboratory Technician-Physics/Engineering
Laboratory Technician-Physics/Engineering
Santa Monica College
Salary: $5,596.00 - $6,803.00 Monthly
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Job Number: CSEAPromo AND Open
Location: 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica 90405, CA
Closing: 10/28/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
This is a Promotional and Open Competitive Recruitment, which will result in two eligibility lists.
Laboratory Technician-Physics/Engineering
WELCOME TO SANTA MONICA COLLEGE! We are seeking a Laboratory Technician - Physics/Engineering to provide dedicated technical support for campus physics and engineering laboratories. This role ensures laboratories are prepared and operational by setting up and maintaining equipment, calibrating instruments, repairing equipment, ordering materials and inventory, and implementing safety procedures. By handling the technical and logistical aspects of the labs, the technician supports faculty which enhances student success. This position is scheduled to work 40 hours per week, 11 months per year on the Santa Monica College main campus.
Please note that all candidates must have authorization to work in the United States; the District does not have the ability to provide sponsorship.
What You Will Bring to the College
The ideal candidate for this position will have strong knowledge of physics laboratory equipment, be highly motivated and eager to apply their skills in a hands-on lab environment. They will bring a sharp attention to detail when setting up experiments, ordering and organizing equipment, and ensuring that all lab materials are accurate, safe, and ready for use. Safety is a top priority in this position, so the ideal candidate will demonstrate sound judgment in identifying equipment concerns, handling high-voltage or laser-based experiments, and guiding faculty on proper equipment use.
This role requires adaptability and excellent customer service, as faculty may request last-minute changes or new setups that need immediate solutions. The successful candidate will be proactive and self-directed in managing multiple lab and stockroom spaces, while consistently prioritizing faculty needs and student learning. Strong teamwork, reliability, and a service-oriented mindset are essential, as the Laboratory Technician is a key support to a large group of faculty and plays a critical role in the smooth operation of the department's laboratories.
Why Work at SMC?
At SMC, you will work beside a diverse group of colleagues who leverage their combined talents and passions to accomplish something great. No matter what department you are in, or what job you have, your contributions will be critical to helping our students fulfill their dreams.
Some details about us:
- We are currently the number one transfer college to UCLA, USC, the University of California system, and Loyola Marymount University
- We are dedicated to sustainable practices and are accessible via environmentally-friendly transportation options, including the Expo Line and Big Blue Bus.
- We are one of the select community colleges in California approved to award a Bachelor's degree. SMC currently awards a Bachelor's degree in Interaction Design.
Benefits
We value our employees as people, and recognize the value of work-life balance, the health of you and your family, and professional development. We offer a variety of benefits and perks to support new members of our team, including:
- 18 paid holidays*
- 12 paid vacation days*
- 12 paid illness days*
- Fully paid medical, dental, and vision-care coverage (including eligible dependents)
- Free mental health assistance through the Employee Assistance Service for Education (EASE) program.
- Membership in the California Public Employee Retirement System (CALPERS)
- 5% increase in base pay for every 5 years worked with SMC, up to 40 years of service.
- Waived tuition fees for classes taken at Santa Monica College.
- Reimbursement for related classes, conferences or workshops to empower your professional development.
- Free Big Blue Bus access and monthly incentives for eligible employees through the Sustainable Transportation Incentive Program
- CSEA Chapter 36 Union Membership Option
*Benefits, holidays, vacation, and illness days listed above assume a 40-hours per week, 12 months per year schedule. Benefits, vacation and illness days are prorated for other work schedules.
Salary Placement
New Employees: Generally, new employees start at the first step on the salary schedule. A new permanent classified employee may request a higher salary placement based on recruitment issues and/or additional training and experience which greatly exceeds the minimum requirements. Please note that salary placement above the third step requires additional approvals by Santa Monica College executive staff.
Current Employees: Upon promotion, the new salary for a current, permanent employee is based on Merit Rule 12.2.7. In accordance with this rule, employees are entitled to at least a one-step (5%) salary increase, and may be eligible for advanced step placement in accordance with established criteria.
About the Selection Process
The selection process will consist of a Training & Experience Evaluation (T&EE) (pass/fail) and Qualifications Appraisal Interview & Performance Exam (weighted 100%). Candidates must be successful on all test parts to be placed on the eligibility list. Two separate eligibility lists will be created from this recruitment: one for promotional candidates and one for external candidates. The promotional list will be used first, and must be exhausted before we can hire external candidates to fill vacant positions. The eligibility list created from this recruitment will be used to fill any vacancies that occur during the six month life of the eligibility list, including full-time and/or part-time, permanent and/or temporary positions.
Santa Monica College reserves the right to modify the stated test components and weights prior to the administration of any test.
Communication for this recruitment will be via e-mail. You must check your e-mail on a regular basis to be informed of your status for this recruitment.
Test Retake Policy
Based on the District's hiring needs, we may administer multiple recruitments for this job classification (or a related job classification that uses the same test(s)) within the next several months. Candidates must wait a period of 90 calendar days between testing appointments before retesting. Candidates who are ineligible to participate in an upcoming test or interview due to the provided retake period will be notified via email, and will have their highest valid score(s) on any non-weighted (pass/fail) test parts applied toward that recruitment.
The Santa Monica Community College District is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants for employment, as well as District employees, shall have full and equal access to employment opportunity. No person shall be subjected to unlawful discrimination in any program or activity of the District. The District's Board Policy 3120 (Equal Employment Opportunity and Nondiscrimination in Employment) may be accessed at: http://bit.ly/smc-hr-bp3120 (Download PDF reader).
Equity Statement
"Santa Monica College encourages candidates that are equity-minded to apply. SMC is a minority-serving, Hispanic-serving institution. We actively seek to attract candidates from minority groups that value equity, diversity, and inclusion. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are built into the culture at SMC, and are an essential component of the work that we do. SMC is committed to racial and socioeconomic diversity as it is a reflection of our student population and we strive to hire candidates that share this commitment."
Examples of Duties
Sets-up equipment for experiments for laboratory and classroom demonstrations, including computer-based experiments and simulations as well as high voltage and high current equipment.
Inspects, maintains, calibrates, and performs minor repairs on a variety of laboratory equipment, instruments, computers, and computer-related sensors and interfaces.
Consults with faculty on specific needs of each experiment.
Conducts research to advise the department on the equipment and supplies to be ordered for use in laboratory experiments and demonstrations.
Demonstrates proper use and care of laboratory materials, equipment, computers, and supplies to students.
Maintains laboratories and stockrooms in a clean and orderly condition.
Assists with the ordering, receiving, storing and inventory of laboratory chemicals, supplies and equipment.
Assists the department chair in ensuring the smooth and safe operation of assigned laboratories.
Plans and oversees projects in consultation with the department chair and other faculty.
Assists the College's Safety Officer in implementing safety procedures in assigned laboratories and stockrooms.
Trains, schedules and oversees the work of student workers.
Performs other related duties as requested or assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Minimum Qualifications
Education Requirement:
Associate's degree or equivalent with a major in science, including courses in calculus-based physics and introductory computer programming.
Experience Requirement:
Two (2) years of experience working in a scientific laboratory.
Education/Experience Equivalency:
Experience and/or education of the same kind, level and amount as required in the minimum qualifications may be substituted on a year-for-year basis. For example: A bachelor's degree with a major in science, including courses in calculus-based physics and introductory computer programming may substitute for the two years of experience working in a scientific laboratory.
Supplemental Information
For additional information about our employment process, please visit our FAQ page and click on "current employees" (for existing, permanent SMC employees) or "job applicants" (for external applicants).
To apply, please visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/smc/jobs/5078273/laboratory-technician-physics-engineering
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