Description

Monroe Community College

Position Title: Technical Assistant, Chemistry and Geosciences, Part-time - Monroe Community College

Location: Rochester, NY Category: Professional Staff Posted On: Tue Jan 27 2026 Job Description:

Function of Position:

The technical assistant's primary function is to assist the teaching faculty in their role as laboratory instructors for Geosciences courses. The nature of the position requires the technical assistant to have a close working relationship with faculty members, the department chair, and the departmental secretary. The technical assistant (TA) will be provided with an appropriate office and workspace in the laboratory area in order to facilitate the efficient support of the teaching faculty. By contract, the TA is expected to work 16 hours per week with the specific schedule to be agreed upon after consultation with the teaching faculty and Geosciences Coordinator and/or Department Chair.

Examples of Duties & Responsibilities:

Some of the specific responsibilities of the TA are listed below, but other duties may be added as special and unexpected needs arise and as the nature of the geosciences laboratory curriculum changes. It is expected that, whenever possible, the TA will be available in the laboratory area to assist faculty with any needs or problems that arise as they teach geosciences laboratory sections.

Supplies and equipment:

• Maintain inventory of mineral samples, rock samples, meteorites, and fossils for all Geosciences courses. Order new materials as needed or requested by faculty.
• Maintain inventory and inspect the quality of topographic maps, geologic maps, physiographic maps, globes, etc. Order new materials as needed or requested by faculty.
• Maintain adequate supply of equipment utilized in regularly performed labs (glass plates, streak plates, compasses, acid bottles, wet erase markers, calculators, batteries, etc.). Order new equipment as needed or requested by faculty.
• Maintain inventory of and perform routine upkeep, calibration, and maintenance of instrumentation and equipment (GPS units, psychrometers, pH meters, conductivity meters, compasses, microscopes, spectrum tubes, etc.) when appropriate and maintain records of the same.
• Arrange for repair of technical equipment and computer-interfaced instrumentation (laptops, classroom computers and projectors, iPads, GPS units, etc.) and maintain records of repairs.
• Inventory and maintain all Geosciences lab supplies found in the Geosciences Resource Room (11-307).
• Investigate and complete appropriate disposal of or recycling of lab materials no longer in use.

Setting up labs:

• Obtain laboratory schedules from faculty members each semester and coordinate specific duties needed for set-up of each lab meeting (copying of weekly lab exercises, checking mineral kits, charging GPS units, compiling field supplies for field trips, prepping stream table for use in lab, setting up practicals, etc.).

Maintenance of the general condition of laboratory areas:

• Maintain orderly, neat, and clean laboratory rooms, including, if needed, prior to and following use, washing of desktops and/or chalkboards.
• Maintain neat and organized storage areas, prep areas, and the Geosciences Resource Room (11-307).
• Ensure that any chemicals are stored in compliance with current safety standards and that laboratories and work areas are safe for students, staff, and faculty.
• Maintain and organize the Geosciences library, including textbooks, field guides, digital media, etc.

Other duties and responsibilities:

• Maintain, update, and clean Geosciences display cases and Weather Kiosk.
• Organize and display Geography student poster exhibits.
• Supervise student aides.
• Participate in professional development activities as approved by the department.
• Participate in department meetings when schedule allows.
• Work with faculty to reorganize storage areas and prep areas as equipment and supply needs change.
• Establish and maintain a good working relationship with Technical Assistants in related disciplines for the purpose of borrowing equipment, sharing ideas, etc.
• Support department and college events, including compiling display materials for Science Exploration Days, MCC Open House, K-12 demonstrations, Student Life Fairs, etc.
• Collaborate with faculty on special projects related to student learning, curriculum, lab spaces, etc.
• Participate in vehicle pick-up and/or drop-off of vehicle for use during field trips.

The number of hours per week the TA is to devote to each of these areas of responsibility will vary depending on whether classes are in session, the time of the semester, the needs of the geosciences faculty, ongoing special projects, etc., and may be changed on consultation with the Geoscience Coordinators and/or Department Chair. At all times, the TA's highest priorities are to ensure that preparations and set-ups for labs are completed on time, and to keep all laboratories, preparation areas, and storage rooms in good order.

MCC Expectations:

• Adheres to the College Code of Conduct.
• Contributes to, supports, and maintains an equitable, inclusive, and collaborative College environment.
• Maintains technological competencies utilized by the College.
• Commits to the philosophy of a comprehensive community college.
• Commits to professional growth. which includes seeking ongoing training in diversity, equity, and inclusion to better serve students.

Job Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of an Associate's Degree in Geology, Geography, or related science. Consideration may be given to candidates with advanced-level Geosciences coursework and/or approaching completion of an Associate's degree.
• General experience with modern geosciences instrumentation (e.g., Global Positioning System units, pH meters, conductivity meters, psychrometers, microscopes, anemometers, and other instrumentation commonly used in instructional labs) and ability/willingness to perform routine maintenance, calibration, and simple repairs of such instruments.
• General experience with computer/laptop technology, especially as it relates to networked computer systems and computer-interfaced measuring devices.
• General experience with educational technology, such as computer-interfaced video projector systems, laptops, iPads, etc.
• Detailed awareness of chemical hazards and current safety standards involved with handling, distributing, and disposing of any hazardous materials used in geosciences labs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual and able to read, write, and speak Spanish, or other languages, proficiently

Additional Information:

Pay Rate: 23.07/hour

Hours/week: The TA is expected to work 16 hours per week, with the specific schedule to be agreed upon after consultation with the teaching faculty and Geosciences Coordinator and/or Department Chair.

Prohibition of Remote Work Outside New York State: Remote work locations outside New York State are not authorized by the College due to out-of-state tax and regulatory implications. In limited circumstances, prompted by business or operational needs, the College may approve requests to work remotely outside of New York State, on a short-term, temporary basis.

Monroe Community College prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, familial status, gender identity or expression, age, genetic information, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, domestic violence, victim status, criminal conviction, or any other characteristic or status protected by state or federal laws or College policy in admissions, employment, and treatment of students and employees, or in any aspect of the business of the College.

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