Job Title: Instructional Assistant for Biology
Bargaining Unit: OPAP
Grade: II
Salary: Exempt
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Priority Screening: October 17, 2025
Position Summary:
SUNY Ulster County Community College, a two-year branch of the State University of New York located ninety miles north of New York City in the Catskill Mountains, is currently accepting applications for an Instructional Assistant in Biology.The Biology Instructional Assistant is responsible to assist the Biology and Veterinary Technology Program Department Chairpersons and Faculty with highly skilled, specialized assistance in biological laboratory preparation, including critical maintenance of plants, animals, and microorganisms, preparation of materials needed in instructions, maintenance of equipment, hazardous chemicals, bloodborne pathogen management, and hazardous and bloodborne pathogen waste management. This person must be extremely organized, and dependable. Key Responsibilities:
- Prepares materials, samples, workloads and course preparation
- Adjusts, calculates, and tests laboratory equipment according to technical manuals
- Assembles and installs lab equipment in classrooms and laboratories to support instructional activities
- Formulates schedules for use and maintenance of lab facilities and equipment
- Provides demonstration and instruction to students and other laboratory users in proper operation of lab equipment, under the supervision of the instructor
- Provides supervision, job training, assigns work to students aid and judges performance
- Maintains inventory of supplies and equipment, orders educational supplies, and live specimens needed in time for lab classes
- Confers with faculty concerning methods, materials, and procedures
- Preparation of slides, reserved specimen, and live organisms
- Assists in driving students and compiling supplies needed for field trips
- Responsible for plant and animal care, including the maintenance and cleaning of lab areas where sensitive supplies are kept
- Specialized training in techniques for work with bloodborne pathogens and infections substances
- Review current practices for best techniques, equipment, and safety advice in biological sciences
- Assists in developing the biology and class scheduling
- May handle materials that are fragile, expensive, toxic, volatile, noxious, flammable, or otherwise dangerous.
- Use of an autoclave, and knowledge of disinfection techniques.
- Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Biology and Veterinary Technology Chairpersons
- Assists the respective Department Chairs in developing Biology and Veterinary Technology budgets, ordering educational supplies, and equipment for Biology and Veterinary Technology Departments.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate academic or technical area. Significant experience can be substituted for a formal degree or any combination thereof.
And
- Commitment to community college goals and objectives of providing quality programs and services for culturally, socio-economically, ethnically, and academically diverse students and students with disabilities; personal qualities to work effectively and with sensitivity in a multicultural environment; awareness of and commitment to the needs of non-traditional and/or re-entry students with diverse abilities and interests.
Salary:
An initial starting salary of $43,700 with an excellent benefits package. This position is contingent upon adequate funding. Additional Information
SUNY Ulster offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision, life insurance, NYS or SUNY TIAA Retirement Plan, SUNY Perks, tuition waivers, including dependent waivers, and tuition assistance.In addition, OPAP-covered members receive, on an annual basis: 24 vacation days, 12 sick days, 6 personal days, and 12 holidays including 3 floating holidays. In addition, the College is closed on the day prior to Thanksgiving, and between December 26 - January, 1, known as the Holiday Curtailment. Application Process:
The position is open until filled. However, to ensure consideration, application materials should be received via email by October 17, 2025 at 4:00 pm EST to be given priority consideration. Applications received after the deadline are not guaranteed to be reviewed. SUNY Ulster reserves the right to close, continue, cancel, postpone or restart the recruitment at any time.Applicants must submit the following materials to be considered for the position: - Resume or CV
- Cover letter which discusses your qualifications and interest in the position
- Contact information for 3 professional references
Please submit only materials requested. All documents included in your application file become the property of the College. Applicants who fail to submit all required materials will not be considered.
We invite you to be part of a dedicated community of learners in an academic department that puts students first. Please go to the SUNY Ulster website for additional campus community information. SUNY Ulster is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The college encourages applications from all qualified applicants. This position is contingent upon adequate funding. Offer and assignment of employment is subject to verification of all information provided on the employment application, credentials, transcripts, fingerprint check, verification of the right to work in the United States and all other required pre-employment conditions are met.Applicants who are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act and who, due to a disability, require accommodations for completing the application process, testing (if required for the position), or the interview, should notify the Human Resources Office 10 working days before the accommodation is required.Neither the smoking of tobacco (nor other substances) nor the use of electronic vaporizers is permitted on the campus grounds.SUNY Ulster does not reimburse applicants for travel, lodging or any other costs incurred by applicant to attend interviews. All interviewing costs incurred will be the responsibility of the applicant. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview. Internal applicants are not guaranteed an interview. Conditions of Employment
Employment with SUNY Ulster is not complete or official until applicants meet all pre-employment requirements, and the Board of Trustees has approved. Offer and assignment of employment is subject to verification of all information provided on the employment application, fingerprint check, verification of the right to work in the United States and all other required pre-employment conditions are met.
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