Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Senior Associate Dean, this position provides comprehensive technical and organizational support services for faculty and students in the George Wurzel Plant Sciences Building, which is a new research facility opening in Spring 2026. The Wurzel Building consists of seven research laboratories, two classrooms, and a growth chamber facility. The Instructional Support Technician (IST) aids in scheduling the availability of laboratory space, equipment, instruments, and facility utilization as well as coordinating maintenance needs with appropriate technicians/vendors.  The IST will support faculty and student research projects and maintain inventory and procurement of needed shared supplies.  The IST helps implement and monitor appropriate safety and hygiene policies for the different functional regions of the Wurzel Building.

Department Summary

The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) at Cal Poly is one of the nation’s premier colleges of agriculture and natural resources – and the fifth largest of its kind in the U.S. With more than 4,200 undergraduates, 16 majors, five graduate programs, and 192 dedicated faculty and staff, CAFES is a powerhouse of innovation, impact and hands-on learning. Our signature Learn by Doing philosophy comes alive across 10,000 acres of cropland, pastures, orchards, vineyards, and forests, as well as in specialized teaching and research facilities. From the Animal Health Center and Equine Center to the Center for Wine and Viticulture, Ag Tech Center and the new George Wurzel Plant Sciences Complex, and Marine Transportation facilities at the Solano campus, students and faculty work side by side – tackling real-world challenges and shaping the future of food, agriculture and the environment. Discover more at cafes.calpoly.edu.

Key Qualifications

• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work independently; manage multiple concurrent assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines; exercise initiative and maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze operational, procedural, and technical problems and develop practical, thorough, and creative solutions; ability to evaluate, recommend, and implement proposed solutions.
• Ability to respond quickly and appropriately in emergencies due to the presence of dangerous situations or hazardous materials; knowledge of and ability to read and understand Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and other hazardous property reference materials.
• Thorough knowledge of or the ability to effectively operate and perform maintenance on technical equipment and instrumentation utilized at the facility.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply workplace safety, security, and emergency response procedures, including the safe handling, storage, and disposal of chemical, hazardous, and biohazardous materials; ability to read, interpret, and apply Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and related regulatory guidance.
• Ability to independently handle multiple priorities including projects, training, and/or guidance to others.
• Ability to manage laboratory space, and to organize and store supplies so they may be accessed quickly and easily.
• Ability to manage purchasing credit card, keep organized records, and create reports from those records.
• Ability to use tact, diplomacy, and professionalism to effectively interact with diverse individuals and groups; handle sensitive and high-level interpersonal situations; provide high-quality customer service; resolve conflicts appropriately; and foster a positive, cooperative, and productive work environment.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers.

Education and Experience

• Equivalent to three 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;
• OR equivalent to two years of college with 16 semester units in courses involving extensive use of materials, supplies, or equipment and in a discipline related to the area may be substituted for one year of the required experience;
• OR equivalent to four years of college with 16 semester units in courses involving extensive use of materials, supplies, or equipment and in a discipline related to the area to which assigned may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,601 - $6,694 per month

Classification Range: $4,595 - $6,694 per month

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

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.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

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

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 or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.