Equipment Technician

Job no: 551724
Work type: Staff
Location: San José
Categories: Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Probationary, Full Time, Trades

Job Summary

The Department of Biological Sciences is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Equipment Technician to support the repair, maintenance, and calibration of scientific instrumentation and lab equipment across the department and broader College of Science. This position ensures the functionality and reliability of laboratory tools critical to teaching, research, and student success. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Research and receiving work lead direction from the Department Chair, the Equipment Technician works independently under general supervision to provide ongoing support for instructional and research equipment, including optical instruments, freezers, gas systems, and water purification systems. The role also involves fabrication, modifications, preventative maintenance, and training oversight for student assistants.

Key Responsibilities

• Repair, maintain, and calibrate electromechanical and laboratory equipment, including microscopes and optical tools
• Design and fabricate parts or modify equipment based on faculty specifications to support instructional needs
• Maintain preventative maintenance records and coordinate with external service representatives as needed
• Monitor and repair refrigeration units, ultra-cold freezers, and ice machines
• Manage inventory and distribution of gas cylinders (CO₂, nitrogen, oxygen, liquid nitrogen)
• Oversee maintenance of water purification systems (Millipore and Barnstead)
• Document repairs, order parts, and provide recommendations for equipment upgrades or replacement
• Train and supervise student assistants as needed

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner
• Ability to compose and appropriately format correspondence and reports
• Working knowledge of software applications: word processing, spreadsheets, database management
• Ability to perform accurately in a detail-oriented environment
• Ability to handle multiple work priorities, organize and plan work and projects
• Strong oral communication skills. Must possess excellent customer service and public relations skills
• Extensive knowledge of the methods, materials, tools and equipment used in the installation, maintenance, repair and operation of scientific instrumentation
• Ability to troubleshoot instrument problems. The incumbent also will be expected to take the initiative to learn how to operate and repair complex and specialized devices
• Ability to analyze equipment problems and determine what repairs are needed
• Ability to review and prepare specifications for technical equipment
• Ability to install, repair, and maintain a wide variety of equipment. Knowledge of drafting techniques
• Thorough knowledge of repair, maintenance, troubleshooting and overhaul of scientific instrumentation
• Performs duties under all safety and environmental regulations, rules, policies and guidelines
• Identifies and determines cause of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement or established processes and practices
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships in a diverse multicultural environment

Required Qualifications

• Equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible journey-level or skilled experience in the maintenance, repair and operation of scientific or technical equipment in the specialty area to which assigned, including one year involving design modifications and fabrication of complex and highly extetechnical equipment or equivalent to two years of semi-skilled experience maintaining and repairing scientific or technical equipment or related equipment experience as part of instructional support activities may be substituted for one year of the required experience or equivalent to two years of trade school or technical arts training with specialization in the type of equipment repair to which assigned. Completion of an apprenticeship program or completion of a full military specialization in the required type of equipment maintenance and repair may be substituted for one year of the required experience. A Federal Communications Commission license is required for some position

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience maintaining microscopes and other optical equipment

Compensation

Classification: Equipment Technician III, Specialized Equipment
Anticipated Hiring Range: $6,667/month - $7,250/month
CSU Salary Range: $4,845/month - $8,765/month

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: September 26, 2025 through October 12, 2025. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

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.

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.

Advertised: September 26, 2025 (9:00 AM) Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Open until filled

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