Job Summary

Under the general direction of the BioResource and Agricultural Engineering Department Head, this position provides comprehensive instructional technical support services for faculty, students in the BRAE laboratories and the Irrigation Training and Research Center. Support includes setting up laboratory materials and equipment for student and faculty use; development, preparation, and maintenance of instructional materials; maintaining and repairing equipment; ordering inventory supplies and equipment; and monitoring and making suggestions/modifications to ensure the safety and security of department laboratories. The incumbent is required to independently analyze situations, formulate action plans, execute decisions, and meet the goals of the program.

Department Summary

The BioResource and Agricultural Engineering (BRAE) Department is an academic unit within the College of Agriculture, serving approximately 320 students in two majors: BioResource and Agricultural Engineering, and Agricultural Systems Management. The department provides service courses to approximately 1,200 students in other Agricultural related and Engineering majors.  The department is home to the Irrigation Training and Research Center, the largest research center at Cal Poly.  Lab space is also dedicated to the Cal Poly Strawberry Center and California Strawberry Commission.  We provide direct support and services to the CSC Automation group and CP Strawberry Center entomology team. Permanent personnel in the department are 9 full-time T/TT faculty, three full-time and six part-time lecturers, one Instructional Support Technician, and one Administrative Support Coordinator.

Key Qualifications

• Ability to operate, maintain and repair the various types of equipment and systems in addition to being able to instruct students in an academic setting on how to safely operate machines and equipment.
• Ability to set up and adjust different brands of welders for different types of welding processes such as but not limited to Stick, MIG, TIG, and be proficient in welding with Stick, MIG, TIG welding processes.
• Ability to operate manual machine tools such as but not limited to lathes, mills, drill presses, surface grinders, drill sharpeners, shears, press brakes, saws, air compressors, and be able to learn and understand basic CNC machines.
• Working knowledge of electricity and electrical circuits as applied to electrical powered hand tools, electric motors, and motor controls.
• Working knowledge of close system hydraulic systems and how to assemble them.
• Ability to operate hand and powered woodworking tools and equipment.
• Ability to set-up and articulate to students how to safely operate machinery and equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to design, fabricate, and/or modify specialized/unique equipment to meet instructional needs.
• Ability to effectively supervise student assistants and direct them in processes and procedures related to lab operation and maintenance.
• Ability to learn and acquire new skills necessary to meet requirements of equipment and machinery standards in laboratories or classrooms.
• Ability to independently service and perform basic repairs on a variety of complex, specialized machinery and equipment.
• Ability to independently analyze situations and provide acceptable resolutions to equipment and machinery problems.
• Ability to read and interpret sketches, plans, and orthographic drawings. Must be able to make sketches, plans, or orthographic drawings to communicate technical information to others.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety policies and procedures and how to apply them in practice.
• Ability to use standard office software packages including word processing and spreadsheets. Demonstrated elementary ability to utilize CAD and Solid Works software.

Education and Experience

Three years of experience providing instructional support services in a related discipline. Two years of college with 16 semester units in courses in the related specialty area discipline may be substituted for one year of required experience OR four years of college with 16 semester units in courses in the related specialist area discipline may be substituted for two years of required experience.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,167 - $6,833 monthly

Classification Range: $4,389 - $7,617 monthly

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Diversity Statement

At Cal Poly, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.

Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. Cal Poly is an equal opportunity employer. 

Supplemental Information

CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so.  Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to humanresources@calpoly.edu.

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 Cal Poly. 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 Cal Poly has designated as sensitive.

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.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.