Laboratory Instructional Technician - GHC

Salary: $18.00 Hourly
Location : Main Campus, 6501 S 19th Street, Tacoma WA 98466, WA
Job Type: Part Time
Job Number: 24-28-TMP #MON
Division: Academic Affairs
Department: Science, Engineering, & Mathematics
Opening Date: 07/31/2024
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: NA


Who We Are


Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is the third largest city in Washington State with a thriving and diverse community of over 200,000 residents. Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to the Puyallup Reservation to make way for settlers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of this community. Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. TCC is committed to increasing Native visibility by developing more culturally responsive curriculum.


Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses. We are committed to infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives and experiences of the Black community into our curriculum. We are examining and revising our policies and practices with the stated goal of becoming an anti-racist institution.


Tacoma Community College is an Associate and Bachelor degree-granting public institution that serves a diverse population of approximately 12,000 students. We embrace our identity as a community college. Our Mission Statement says, "As the community's college, we create meaningful learning, advance equity, and strengthen student and community success." To grow our workforce, we seek to recruit employees who exemplify these attributes:

• Committed to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population
• Reflects the diversity of our community
• Values intellectual curiosity and innovation
• Honors the campus mission to promote equitable access to educational opportunities
• Cares about student success and collaborates on strategies to facilitate success for historically underserved populations,
• Welcomes difference and models respectful interaction with others
• Engages with the community both within and outside of TCC

Position Summary
This is a part-time hourly position that provides instructional support services to science classes offered at the Gig Harbor Campus (GHC) and main campus . The employee will prepare laboratory materials per faculty requirements and help coordinate use of the lab and equipment at the GHC. During non-busy periods at the GHC, the employee will work at the Tacoma campus. This position reports to the Instructional Classroom Support Technican and supports the SEM academic programs at TCC.

Essential Functions

• Work with faculty and lead tech to support instructional programming in biology
• Set up and put away reagents, equipment, supplies or specimens for laboratory sessions
• Work with faculty and lab staff to coordinate the laboratory activities and schedule
• Work with faculty and lab staff to promote a safe laboratory environment
• Recommend supply and equipment purchases related to the instructional program
• Monitor equipment for proper operation, needed repairs, and end of service replacement
• Keep laboratories, supplies, materials and equipment clean, organized and ready for use
• Perform related duties as assigned

Qualifications

Duties of the position requiring experience:

• Bachelor's degree in biology or related field, OR equivalent training and experience
• Maintaining and operating various lab equipment, e.g. microscopes, probes, etc.
• Customer service experience

Duties of the position requiring knowledge, skills and abilities:

• All the duties listed under "Essential Functions"
• Safe handling and preparation of reagents
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to prioritize

Conditions of Employment

• The finalist for this position will be subject to a criminal background check prior to the start of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily prevent employment, but will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by HR staff.
• Tacoma Community College has no responsibility or obligation to sponsor an H-1B visa. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire.

• Able to report to either work site providing own transportation
• Ability to stoop, bend, squat, reach, use a step stool, and carry up to 20 lbs frequently

Application Process

Application Materials & Procedure
Complete application packages must include the following

1. Tacoma Community College online application.
2. Cover letter and Resume
3. Unofficial Transcripts

Terms of Employment
This part-time hourly position is bound by the WAC 357-04-045 provisions above. This position has a variable work schedule, 10-12 hrs/week. The schedule is reasonably flexible as long as it meets the needs of courses during business hours, Monday - Friday during the academic year, Monday -Thursday during the summer. Work location is Gig Harbor Campus or Bldg 15 on the Tacoma campus. The salary is $18.00-$18.00/hr. Flexibility in scheduling is required to meet department needs. A collective bargaining agreement exists and membership in the Washington Federation of State Employees or payment of a membership fee may be required. TCC Part-time hourly and student employees including work-study students, will accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked. Hourly non-student employees may be applicable for comprehensive healthcare benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental, and vision insurance. Life and long- term disability insurance plans and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our employment page/employment benefits:


Tacoma Community College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types). Provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Federal Rehabilitation Act. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Patrícia McCray-Roberts, Title VII and Title IX, View phone number on click.appcast.io; Kathryn Held, Section 504 Officer, Building 7, View phone number on click.appcast.io. Tacoma Community College is a smoke-free/drug free environment. This recruitment announcement does not reflect the entire job description and can be changed and or modified without notice.


Tacoma Community College
Human Resources
6501 S 19th St Bldg. 14, Tacoma WA 98466
The benefits information presented on this page is a summary of College provided benefits. This information is subject to change and is subject to the provisions of any legislative mandates and College policy changes. For more detailed information about Tacoma Community College (TCC) benefits, please do not hesitate to contact the College benefits coordinator at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

TCC offers a comprehensive benefits package which include medical, dental, life insurance, and long- term disability insurance through the Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB), along with retirement benefits through TIAA and the Department of Retirement System

Eligibility
Full-time faculty, classified staff, administrators and professional staff are eligible for benefits. Hourly employees and part-time faculty may be eligible for benefits if, and when, they meet specific criteria and are notified by TCC Human Resources.

Effective Date of Coverage
Coverage begins the first day of the month following the date of hire, or date of achieving eligibility status. If the date of hire is the first working day of the month, coverage begins immediately.

Health Insurance
Medical Plans
Eligible employees have several medical plan options to select from (provided by PEBB). Employees pay a monthly premium through payroll deduction.

Premium Rates Effective January 1, 2024
Resources:
Dental Plans
Employees choose from three dental plans. TCC covers the full dental premium for employees and enrolled dependents.

Resource:
Vision
Covered under medical plan chosen.

Waiving Medical Coverage
If you have other employer-based medical insurance, Medicare or TRICARE, you have the option to waive PEBB medical coverage. Dental is mandatory for all eligible employees and cannot be waived, unless enrolled in dental coverage as a dependent under a SEBB (School District Employee Benefits Board) plan.

Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) & Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) & Limited Purpose FSA
FSA & DCAP accounts allow employees to set aside pre-taxed dollars to cover out-of-pocket health care and/or childcare expenses.

Members of WFSE (HE CCC) and WPEA, will be eligible to receive a $250 FSA card if employed as of November 1, 2023 with an annual full-time equivalent salary of less than $60,000, and is enrolled in a non-CDHP medical plan as of January 1 of the plan year that FSA funds are made available. This card is
issued by PEBB in the following January and does not count against the annual FSA limit, if enrolled in an FSA with Navia.

The Limited Purpose FSA is eligible for employees who are enrolled in a consumer-directed health plan (CDHP) that has a Health Savings Account. The Limited Purpose FSA is only for dental and vision expenses.

Resource:
Life Insurance
Benefits eligible employees, lawful spouse or same-sex domestic partner, dependent children under 26 years of age are eligible to enroll in life insurance. Coverage is effective first of the month following the date of employment for basic coverage; for optional coverage, amounts become effective the first of the month following approval date.

Basic Coverage : $35,000 Basic Term Life & $5,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) This is employer-provided at no cost to the employee.

Supplemental Life Insurance Coverage(s) : Any supplemental term life insurance and AD&D coverage for employee, lawful spouse, qualified same-sex domestic partner, and family is available at additional cost to the employee.

Resource:
(LTD)
Basic LTD: Provides 60% of the first $400 pre-disability earnings, reduced by any deductible income at no cost to the employee.

Supplemental LTD : Supplemental LTD coverage to replace at 60% or 50% of full pre-disability earnings is available at an additional cost to the employee.

Resource:
PAID LEAVE
Classified staff, Administrators, and Professional staff are eligible for paid vacation, sick leave, and personal leave, along with paid federal holidays. Classified Monthly vacation entitlement amounts can vary from 11.33 to 16.67 hours per month depending on the length of state service. Administrator/Exempt Professional vacation leave is 16.00 hours per month. Monthly sick leave entitlement is 8.00 hours per month based on 100% FTE position and will be prorated accordingly if less than 100% FTE. Annual personal leave entitlement varies depending on employee type. Full-time classified, administrators, and professional staff are paid for all federal holidays.

Full-time faculty receive 84.00 hours of paid sick leave per academic year along with 28.00 hours of personal leave. Full-time faculty are paid on an annual contract and do not receive pay for federal holidays.

Part-time faculty receive sick leave each quarter using a formula based on the total FTE% from the cumulative teaching contracts issued to them that quarter. They would receive 7.00 hours of personal leave if they are issued a multi-quarter appointment at the start of the academic year. Part-time faculty do not receive pay for federal holidays.

Part-time hourly and student employees receive 1 hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked in a month (and fractions, thereof). Up to 40 hours of sick leave can carry over from one calendar year to the next.
If a part-time hourly or student employee is hired into a full-time position, the sick leave hours earned in the part-time position do not carry over to the full-time position. Part-time hourly and student employees are not paid for federal holidays.

Monthly entitlements are given at the beginning of the following month.
All employees in salaried positions may take up to five days of paid bereavement time off for the death of a family member. This is separate from the sick leave or vacation leave.

RETIREMENT
Retirement participation is mandatory for retirement benefit eligible TCC employees. Employees are offered a choice between two retirement plans and that choice is generally irrevocable while employed at TCC.

Classified Employees and (retirement eligible) Part-Time hourly:

Classified employees and eligible part-time hourly employees must choose between the Public Employees Retirement Systems (PERS) Plan 2 or Plan 3. More information about these plans can be found at this link:


Faculty:
Faculty can choose to enroll in the State Board Retirement Plan (SBRP) with the plan administrator being TIAA or the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) Plan 2 or Plan 3 administered by the Department of Retirement System (DRS). Prior history in any of these plans may limit current plan choice. Click to compare TRS Plan 2, TRS Plan 3, and SBRP.

SBRP -TIAA - This is a Defined Contribution Plan. The employee contributes a mandatory defined amount and the state matches the employee's contributions. Contribution rates are based on age.

TRS Plan 2- A 401(a) defined benefit plan. TCC and employee contribute a percentage of salary to fund the plan. Your monthly benefit at retirement will be based on your earned service credit and compensation.

TRS Plan 3- A 401(a) hybrid plan with Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution components. The defined contribution portion of the plan is funded through mandatory employee contributions. The employee may choose between six contribution options. TCC contributes to Defined Benefit part.

Administrative/Exempt Employees
Administrators and Exempt employees may choose to participate in the State Board Retirement Plan (SBRP), administered by TIAA, or the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 or Plan 3, administered by the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). Prior history in a Washington State Retirement Plan may limit plan choice. Click to compare PERS Plan 2, PERS Plan 3, and SBRP.

SBRP/TIAA - This is a 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan. The employee contributes a mandatory defined amount and the state matches the employee's contributions. Contribution rates are based on age.

PERS Plan 2- A 401(a) defined benefit plan. TCC and employee contribute a percentage of salary to fund the plan. Your monthly benefit at retirement will be based on your earned service credit and compensation.

PERS Plan 3- A 401(a) hybrid plan with Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution components. The defined contribution portion of the plan is funded through mandatory employee contributions. The employee may choose between six contribution options. TCC contributes to Defined Benefit part.

PERS Rates Effective September 1, 2023

TRS Rates Effective September 1, 2023.
State Board Retirement Plan (SBRP) - Contributions Rates:
Contributions are based on your age:
Voluntary Retirement Savings:
State Board Voluntary Investment Program (SBVIP):

SBVIP is a voluntary, optional, unmatched retirement savings plan, operating under Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), administered by TIAA. SBVIP participants may contribute on a pre-tax and/or after-tax (Roth) basis, up to the annual IRS limit and can start and stop their contributions at any time during employment. Contact Human Resources to start/stop contributions.


Deferred Compensation Program (DCP):
Tax-deferred savings plan administered by the Department of Retirement Systems. in DCP 3 months after hire at a contribution rate of 3%. Employees are sent a notification letter within approximately 30 days of hire. This notice includes information about auto-enrollment and the necessary steps to take if one chooses to opt-out or make changes to their DCP enrollment. Contributions can be changed at any time during employment. Following the initial auto- enrollment possibility, employees would contact DRS to setup contributions and can contribute on a pre- tax basis up to the annual IRS limit.
Tuition Waiver
Administrative, Classified, Full-time Faculty, and Part-Time faculty employed for more than 50% FTE are eligible to register for space-available classes, up to 10 credits per quarter, with the State Employee Tuition Waiver program. Class registration and any applicable class fee will still apply. Click here for the


Liberty Mutual
PEBB members may receive a discount of up to 12% off Liberty Mutual's auto insurance rates and up to 5% off of Liberty Mutual's home insurance rates.

Contact Liberty Mutual at View phone number on click.appcast.io and mention that you are a State of Washington PEBB Member (client #8246) or visit a local Liberty Mutual office and let them know you are State of Washington PEBB Member (client #8246) for a quote.
Collective Bargaining Agreements:
WFSE Higher Education Community College Coalition:
WPEA Higher Education:
WFSE Represented Exempt Bargaining Unit:
TCC Faculty Negotiated Agreement:
01


Which best describes your level of education?

• High School graduate or equivalent
• Some College
• Associates degree from an accredited college or university
• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university
• Masters degree or higher from an accredited college or university

02


Please explain your experience maintaining and operating various lab equipment, e.g. microscopes, probes, etc.
03


How many years of experience maintaining and operating various lab equipment, e.g. microscopes, probes, etc. do you possess?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year and less than 2 years
• More than 2 years and less than 4 years
• More than 4 years and less than 6 years
• Over 6 years

04


Do you have customer service experience?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you have the ability to stoop, bend, squat, reach, use a step stool, and carry up to 20 lbs frequently?

• Yes
• No

06


Do you have transportation to report to the Main (Tacoma) and Gig Harbor campuses?

• Yes
• No

Required Question