Laney College


Laney College, in the heart of vibrant, multicultural downtown Oakland, features the cosmopolitan atmosphere and human energy of a big-city university. Laney is adjacent to the Oakland Museum of California, blocks from historic Chinatown and a pleasant stroll from Lake Merritt.



Since 1948, Laney has provided educational opportunities to students throughout the East Bay and beyond. Serving approximately 14,000 students each semester, Laney reflects the incredible diversity of the community that surrounds it and provides opportunities to traditionally underserved populations. Dozens of languages are spoken on Laney’s campus each day.



The school boasts a proven track record of success with exceptional educational programs. The college was given full accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) in summer 2009 – a distinction awarded to only five community colleges out of the 27 reviewed that year. In addition, Laney ranks among the top community colleges in California in transferring students to U.C. Berkeley.

Under general supervision, performs technical work in biology, anatomy, and physiology. This may require working some overtime on evenings and weekends if needed.

Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do listed examples include all tasks which may be found in positions of this class. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty of the position satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions required for the position.


• Prepares labs for biology classes

• Cleans laboratory glassware

• Receives and inventories stocks.

• Maintains adequate supplies.

• Maintains order in the stockroom.

• Maintains safety standards in stockroom.

• Assists in providing safe laboratories and classrooms.

• Follows procedures regarding storage and use of department’s equipment

• Cleans laboratory equipment.

• Maintains live specimens when appropriate.

• May supervise student laboratory assistants.

• Performs minor repairs, contacts repairmen or returns damaged materials to companies for repair.

• Assists in setting up and taking down lab practical examinations.

• May assist in ordering materials for biology labs

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

1. Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 12 semester units of biology or biologically related sciences from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent combination of training, education, and qualifying experience which demonstrates the skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties for this position. (Must submit a copy of college transcripts with application.)

2. Two (2) plus years experience working in a laboratory.

3. Experience keeping accurate records and maintaining inventory control.

4. Experience using standard laboratory equipment: autoclave, pH meters, centrifuges, spectrophotometers, incubators, pipet aids, scales, or magnetic stirrers.

5. Applicant must have demonstrated cultural competency, sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college staff, faculty, and students.

• Demonstrated knowledge of terminology, practices, procedures, and safety precautions related to college-level biology labs including those using human cadavers.

• Demonstrated ability to follow directions precisely for preparation of materials.

• Demonstrated ability to keep accurate records and maintain inventory control.

• Demonstrated ability to independently organize and orchestrate workflow.

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, faculty, administration and staff.

• Demonstrated ability to work with cadavers, including maintenance, care and dissection.

• Knowledge of working with animal, plant and tissue cultures and specimens for laboratory purposes.

• Knowledge of laboratory safety, and willingness to participate in further training, if necessary.

• Knowledge of scientific procedures.

• Knowledge of hazardous materials handling and MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and willingness to participate in further training, if necessary.

• Knowledge and competency in using computer software including, but not limited to, MS Excel and Word

• occasional work performed alone
• constant work around and with people

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• flexibility or ability to respond to multiple demands

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• occasional standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, squatting, and climbing stairs
• occasional lifting and carrying up to 15 lbs.
• occasional pushing and pulling up to 20 lbs.
• occasional twisting of body
• occasional use of manual dexterity
• occasional use of tactile acuity
• occasional use of visual acuity from a distance, with depth, and for color
• frequent work at a rapid pace
• frequent reaching, high, low, and level
• frequent audio acuity at all ranges, including speech
• frequent visual acuity for reading
• constant sitting
• constant use of clear oral communication

• computers and standard office machines and equipment
• multi-line telephones
• department-specific equipment