Job Summary

The Department of Physics and Astronomy is seeking an Instructional Support Technician III to provide comprehensive instructional support for the department’s teaching laboratories. The incumbent will serve as the lead technician, ensuring that laboratory resources, equipment, materials, and facilities are prepared and available to support classroom instruction, faculty projects, and student research.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee laboratory support services, including course planning, lab setup and teardown, equipment maintenance and repair, calibration, inventory, and the development of laboratory procedures
• Serve as lead technician by coordinating schedules, training technical staff and student assistants, and providing work direction to ensure timely and effective laboratory operations
• Procure equipment, materials, and supplies; prepare purchase requisitions; coordinate with vendors; maintain purchasing records; and assist with budget-related research and analysis
• Promote laboratory safety by serving on safety committees, maintaining standard operating procedures, ensuring compliance with university, county, state, and federal requirements, and preparing required reports
• Serve as a liaison with College of Science Network & Computing Services and provide coordination and support for computing needs related to faculty, staff, students, and laboratories

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner
• General awareness of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), and a willingness to develop skills in their appropriate, responsible, and ethical use in a higher education environment, consistent with institutional policies and practices.
• Knowledge of the principles and methods related to performing support services
• Working knowledge of, and ability to operate laboratory equipment
• Thorough knowledge of the general methods, procedures and practices used in physics and astronomy laboratories
• Knowledge of the materials and supplies related to the curriculum in physics and astronomy, their characteristics, and uses
• Ability to operate and repair technical and scientific equipment
• Ability to develop off-campus resources related to physics and astronomy for obtaining materials or equipment
• Ability to perform accurately in a detail-oriented environment
• Ability to handle multiple work priorities, organize and plan work and projects effectively and independently
• Ability to follow university, county, state and federal policies relevant to laboratory safety
• Excellent oral communication and customer service and public relations skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive communications with employees, students, and external agencies
• Ability to compose and appropriately format correspondence and reports
• Ability to maintain timely and professional communication with faculty, staff, students, and other constituents, including regularly monitoring and responding to email.

Required Qualifications

• Equivalent to four (4) years of experience providing instructional support services for a related unit or discipline, or in producing materials or supplies or repairing equipment in a discipline related to the area to which assigned. A combination of education and experience will be considered

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Physics, Astronomy or Equivalent
• Experience in taking and/or supporting laboratory courses in Physics and/or Astronomy and/or educational background in these areas

Compensation

Classification: Instructional Support Technician III
Anticipated Hiring Range: $6,655/month - $6,924/month (Step 15 – Step 17)
CSU Salary Range: $5,044/month - $7,348/month (Step 1 – Step 20)

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: November 13, 2026 through November 29, 2026. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

People and Culture
jobs@sjsu.edu

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University 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 and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

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.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.