Instructional Lab Tech, Senior

The Senior Instructional Laboratory Technician provides advanced technical, operational, and facilities support for the Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) instructional laboratories within the Environmental Engineering Program. The position manages laboratory operations, instructional support, equipment lifecycle coordination, safety compliance, and student workforce supervision to ensure effective delivery of laboratory-based curriculum and instructional activities.

The role serves as a primary technical resource for Environmental Engineering teaching laboratories, coordinating with faculty, departmental leadership, USC Facilities, Environmental Health & Safety, and central university partners to maintain safe, compliant, and fully functional laboratory environments that support academic instruction, accreditation requirements, and student engagement. Laboratory support responsibilities are aligned to programmatic instructional needs and may shift across courses, modalities, or laboratory spaces as academic priorities evolve.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Instructional Laboratory Operations and Academic Support (35%)

• Coordinate and support laboratory instruction, including experiment preparation, equipment setup, and troubleshooting. Current primary course support includes CE 363L (Environmental Chemistry and Analysis) and ENE/CE 410L (Environmental Engineering Microbiology) or successor courses, with assignments subject to change based on curriculum needs.
• Partner with faculty to plan laboratory activities and course logistics.
• Provide technical guidance to undergraduate and graduate students working in instructional laboratory environments.
• Support instructional initiatives, laboratory demonstrations, and program outreach activities.

Laboratory Facilities and Equipment (25%)

• Coordinate maintenance, repair, installation, and inventory of instructional laboratory equipment.
• Maintain equipment inventories and monitor laboratory supplies and storage areas.
• Support facilities upgrades and coordinate with Operations & Maintenance and university partners to maintain functional laboratory environments.

Safety, Compliance, and Accreditation (20%)

• Support laboratory safety and regulatory compliance, including maintenance of safety documentation and training records.
• Conduct inspections and coordinate corrective actions to maintain safe operations.
• Prepare documentation supporting accreditation requirements, including ABET.
• Coordinate hazardous materials handling and waste procedures in collaboration with university partners.

Student Workforce and Operations (10%)

• Supervise and train student workers and coordinate daily laboratory operations.
• Provide functional direction to laboratory assistants or temporary staff as needed.

Coordination and Special Projects (10%)

• Serve as liaison with departmental leadership and university partners regarding laboratory needs.
• Support planning activities related to laboratory space, equipment, and instructional continuity.
• Assist with special projects and respond to operational issues affecting laboratory instruction.

Other duties may be assigned. The position is expected to respond flexibly to evolving instructional and operational needs.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS & TEAM STRUCTURE

• Reports to: Director of Administration and Finance, Faculty Director, or designated Environmental Engineering leadership.
• Supervises: Student workers and provides functional direction to support personnel as assigned.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Compensation: The hour salary range for this exempt position is $31.22 - $35.73 ($60,879 - $69673.50 annualized). When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope of responsibilities, work experience, education and training, skills, internal equity, and market conditions.
• Work Modality: This position is 100% onsite and requires a consistent physical presence to support laboratory instruction, equipment management, and safety responsibilities. The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday during normal university business hours (approximately 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Remote work is not available for this position due to the hands-on nature of the role and the need for continuous onsite support of laboratory facilities and instructional activities.
• Disclaimer: This description outlines the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties. Responsibilities may evolve based on departmental priorities and program needs.