Instructional Support Specialist

Instructional Support Specialist

Job No: 562039

Work Type: Staff

Location: Central California: Fresno

Categories: Bargaining Unit: Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Appointment Type: Probationary, Time Basis: Full Time, Job Search Category/Discipline: Research

Instructional Support Specialist (Instructional Support Technician III)

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated salary hiring range is $5,044 - $5,353 per month (Steps 1 - 4), commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The salary range for this classification is $5,044 - $7,348 per month.

• This is a full-time (equivalent to 40 hours per week), probationary, non-exempt position.

The CSU system provides a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), sick and vacation time, and 15 paid holidays a year. Eligible employees are also able to participate in the fee waiver education program. A summary of benefit information can be found here.

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Jordan College Dean, the specialist position has two sets of primary duties, as well as ancillary duties. First, as an Embedded Safety Professional, with the goals of easing the administrative burden placed on faculty researchers, and harmonizing research facility management in the Jordan College, the individual in this position works with personnel in JCAST research facilities toward the identification, creation and implementation of the necessary policies and procedures from the standpoint of OSHA regulatory compliance, equipment management, equipment training, chemical storage, risk management and researcher onboarding. The facilities supported by this set of duties include the Jordan Agricultural Research Center (JARC), Viticulture and Enology Research Center (VERC), the Graduate Laboratory and the Food and Agriculture Research Center (FAR). This position is housed in JARC and works with technicians and other staff at said facilities.

The second set of this position's primary duties is to be the primary agent of JARC and manage the facility's daily use by Fresno State personnel, including researchers in JCAST, Lyles College of Engineering, College of Science and Mathematics, as well as third party entities. Specifically, these duties include directly overseeing and implementing policies and procedures in JARC, directly overseeing the onboarding process of researchers, leading tours of the building for visitors, managing hundreds of pieces of equipment in the equipment management system while assuming custodianship of most of them, and advising the JCAST dean on matters related to space allocation.

The ancillary duties of this position include providing comprehensive instructional support services for laboratory sections of undergraduate courses in the departments of Industrial Technology, Plant Science, Animal Science, Food Science and Nutrition and Viticulture and Enology, and for the inter-departmental, graduate Lab Techniques course, as well as facilitating research in the Graduate Laboratory. These duties are generally activated when the primary instructional support technicians responsible for these duties are unavailable or need support. The specialist is expected to serve as a liaison between external stakeholders and principal investigators and technicians wishing to perform joint research in JARC.

Key Qualifications

• Knowledge of:
  • Applicable codes, including but not limited to: California Code of Regulations, Federal Code of Regulations, California Building Code, California Fire Code, NIH Guidelines for genetically modified organisms, and biohazard use authorization, CDC guidelines on Biosafety in Biomedical Laboratories, among others.
  • Theories, principles, and methods in the field of health and safety.
  • Agricultural research practices, techniques and protocols related to laboratory research, particularly in a university setting.
• Skill/Ability to:
  • Proactively create, and subsequently adjust, policies and procedures.
  • Exercise substantial judgment and consult with stakeholders when situations arise that are not clearly addressed in the existing policies and procedures.
  • Build and maintain complex relationships within a multi-organizational structure that introduces a new model for laboratory use to this campus.
  • Influence and communicate with high level and diverse contacts inside and outside of the CSU system.
  • Consider and evaluate the impacts of recommended changes on implemented policies.
  • Develop a network of resources on and off campus related to the field.
  • Develop performance indicators to measure program effectiveness.
  • Repair laboratory equipment, train others to repair laboratory equipment, and liaise with external repair contractors.
  • Persuade PIs, management and other stakeholders of the value of complying with the program.

Education and Experience

• A bachelor's degree.
• Equivalent to 4 years of experience in the field of health and safety.
• 5 years of experience in laboratory management or 10 years of lab-based research experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Safety Professional.
• Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technician.

Department Summary

The Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State is shaping the future of one of the world's most productive agricultural regions by developing global decision-makers in food and agriculture.

We accomplish this by encouraging, equipping, and enabling faculty, staff, and students to create innovative, scientifically sound, and sustainable solutions to agri-food, technological, and environmental challenges in California, our nation, and the world.

Fresno State

California State University, Fresno is one of 22 campuses in the California State University System. The University's mission is to boldly educate and empower students for success through our values of Discovery, Diversity and Distinction. The current student population is more than 25,000, including a large percentage of students with diverse and culturally rich backgrounds. The University serves the San Joaquin Valley while maintaining deep involvement with the state, nation, and across the globe. Fresno State is a tobacco-free, smoke-free and vapor-free campus.

Metropolitan Fresno, with a multi-ethnic population of over 527,000, is located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. The campus is within driving distance of Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, San Francisco, Los Angeles, the Monterey Peninsula, beaches, sailing, lakes, and numerous ski resorts. Fresno boasts one of the most reasonable housing markets in California and offers a wide array of locally grown fruits and produce.

Equal Employment Opportunity

California State University, Fresno is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, National origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Title IX

Please view the Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator at:

Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act Notification

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, the current Annual Security Report (ASR) is available for viewing at

The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Fresno State for the last three (3) calendar years. Paper copies are available upon request by emailing the Clery Director at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Under the Clery Act, this position may be designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) depending upon the role on campus and/or job duties. If this position is identified by the Director of Clery Compliance as a CSA position, you will be notified via email and will be assigned the appropriate training in CSU Learn.

COVID19 Vaccination Policy

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, it is strongly recommended that all employees who are accessing office and campus facilities 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. Questions may be sent to View email address on click.appcast.io.

Mandated Reporter Per CANRA (MPP ONLY if applicable)

The person holding this position is 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.

Conflict of Interest (MPP ONLY if applicable)

The duties of this position will include participation in decisions that may have a material financial benefit to the incumbent. Therefore, the selected candidate will be required to file Conflict of Interest Form 700: Statement of Economic Interest when they first occupy the position, and on an annual basis, complete ethics training within 6 months of appointment, and attend this training every other year thereafter.

CSU Out of State Employment Policy

California State University, Office of the Chancellor, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Background Check Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with California State University, Fresno. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Fresno State has identified as sensitive.

Additional Information

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Fresno State is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. (e.g. H1-B Visas)