GEOSCIENCES TECHNICIAN

Work Days: Monday-Friday
Shift Start/End Time: 8:30-5:00 (flexible)
Hours Per Week: 40
Weeks Per Year: 52

Geosciences Department Technician

Pay Status and Classification: Non-exempt, Regular full-time

Supervisor: Geosciences Chair

Position Purpose: Plays a crucial role in supporting students and faculty in the Geosciences department by assisting with field trips, laboratory exercises, instrument operation and maintenance, and classroom material preparation. This includes managing field equipment, coordinating off-campus activities, operating and maintaining instrumentation (mass spectrometers and chromatographs), managing supplies, and aiding in laboratory setup and sample preparation. Training available for all tasks. Department instrumentation includes a laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometer, ion chromatographs, a scanning electron microscope, and an isotope ratio mass spectrometer with peripherals. Department is busy, energetic, and friendly. Flexible hours possible.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Class Field and Lab Support: Coordinates with faculty to prepare/pack required field equipment and/or supplies for field excursions. Assists faculty with setup and breakdown of classroom laboratory specimens/equipment. Communicates with facilities for any repairs and maintenance that are required in geoscience labs or classrooms. Maintains, orders and upgrades field equipment as necessary. Drive field vehicle and assist with activities for selected student exercises.
2. Geochemistry Instrumentation Operation and Maintenance: Assists with operating instrumentation (mass spectrometers, chromatographs, titrator, etc.). Prepares samples and standards analysis, assists faculty operating and maintaining instrumentation in both the stable isotope and ICP-MS geochemistry laboratories. Will be trained to operate the Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometer, ICP-MS, Ion Chromatographs, Metrohm auto-titrator, and Picarro CRDS. Maintains online chemical inventory along with safety data sheets and ensures proper use of inventory tracking systems. Performs routine maintenance of instruments (e.g. change oil, clean parts, change gas bottles, arrange for waste disposal). Troubleshoots and repairs instrumentation when possible and/or arrange consultations with appropriate personnel at the college or outside vendors. Maintain inventories of gasses/supplies for all teaching and research labs. Order gasses, and other supplies for the Geosciences Department and distribute to their destinations. 
3. Laboratory Work: Maintains Geosciences department shop, weather station, and tool area. Makes polished thin-sections and grain mounts for use in lab exercises and research projects. Repairs and maintains rock, mineral, and sediment sample processing equipment. Prepares specimens (mineral boxes, test kits, fossils) for class exercises.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in Geosciences or related fields. Three years relevant experience, or Masters in Geosciences or related fields preferred.
2. Must have a valid driver’s license to assist faculty with outdoor field exercises, including driving vans.
3. Demonstrated understanding of geological principles.
4. Excellent organizational and data management skills.
5. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
6. Ability to work in various field conditions and travel to remote locations.
7. Knowledge of safety protocols and procedures in geoscientific work.
8. Experience with analytical instruments is highly desirable (but training can be provided).
9. Skills in thin-section preparation is highly desirable (but training can be provided). 
10. The ability to foster and enhance a thriving, culturally diverse, and inclusive learning community, while promoting a sense of belonging among students, alumni, faculty, and staff colleagues.

We are committed to recruiting diverse and excellent faculty and staff colleagues, and we recognize that successful candidates may come from a range of backgrounds. We know some job candidates may believe they need to meet every qualification listed in the position description, in particular the preferred qualifications. We encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet every one of the listed preferred qualifications. 

Note: All new hires of Union College are subject to a thorough education, work experience, and criminal history background check.

Compensation

The rate for this position is between $18.00 - $27.50 per hour. The wage/salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The stated hiring rate/range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the rate/range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

We offer exceptional benefits including:

• Generous Vacation, Sick and Personal Time
• Winter and Summer Recess Break in addition to Paid Holidays
• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision Insurance (Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts)
• Free On-Campus Fitness Facility Access and Discounts for On-Campus Wellness Programs
• Employee Scholarships toward Certifications, Seminars, Training and Professional Development
• Pre and Post Tax participation in a 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Salary Continuation Program in the event of Disability
• Tuition Assistance Program for Employee, Spouse and/or Dependents

Accommodations

If you require an accommodation throughout the interview process, please don't hesitate to contact our Human Resources department at hr@union.edu or 518-388-6108. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates have equal access to opportunities and can participate in a fair and inclusive hiring process.

Diversity at Union College

Union College is an equal-opportunity employer and is strongly committed to student and workforce diversity. Increasing diversity on campus is a critical priority for Union, one that is integral to our mission of preparing students for a globally interconnected world. Union provides a blend of intellectual, social, and cultural opportunities to facilitate the integrated academic, social, and personal development of a diverse community. We value and are committed to a host of diverse populations and cultures including, but not limited to, those based on race, religion, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, and veteran status. Union College is committed to providing access and will provide reasonable accommodation in its application process to individuals with disabilities who request such accommodations.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Union College will not discriminate in the recruitment or selection of faculty and employees, or in any other area of employment, on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin, religion, religious belief, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and veteran status. In this regard, opportunities for advancement will be made available without bias. The College is also subject to state and federal laws and supports efforts to attract and retain fully qualified women and other minority group members for faculty and other positions. Union College will comply with the letter and intent of all State and Federal laws and applicable orders pursuant to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action.

Union College

Officially chartered in 1795, Union College is the fifth-oldest liberal arts college in the country. Located in the Capital District of New York State, Union is a highly selective residential and undergraduate college, home to 2,200 students and 220 faculty, and offering 44 majors. Union was the first liberal arts college to rethink the traditional liberal arts education and adopt an engineering curriculum. That pioneering approach continues today with an education that encourages students to work beyond the limits of disciplinary boundaries, allowing them to think globally and lead innovatively in a world where problem-solving requires breadth across humanities, arts, social sciences, science, and engineering.