Lab Mechanician Senior, Limited (8652C) - Jacobs Design Institute
About Berkeley
At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.
As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.
We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.
At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.
Departmental Overview
The College of Engineering at UC Berkeley is recognized for its educational and research excellence, consistently ranking among the top three Engineering colleges in the United States. With more than 240 regular faculty members, 2,200 graduate students and 3,800 undergraduate students located in seven academic departments, Engineering is the second largest college on the Berkeley campus. A multiunit Dean's Office provides administrative, budget, student services, development, and capital projects services. COE occupies ten buildings on the Berkeley campus and has extensive facilities at the Richmond Field Station. This position will be in direct support of the teams and clubs (referred to as Registered Student Organizations )that are working at the RFS campus, and specifically involved in working at a centralized facility to supervise and support activities these RSO's are conducting. This position will work closely with the RFS facilities teams, and the technical staff of the College of Engineering on the central campus.
This position will e responsible for providing hands-on technical support and safety oversight for College of Engineering Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) working at the Richmond Field Station. The Lab Mechanician Senior ensures that student teams can safely and effectively carry out high-risk fabrication activities, such as welding, composites, machining, and high-voltage work, by enforcing established safety standards, training students, and supervising shop use. The role supports student learning and project success while maintaining compliance with university policy and the RSO@RFS Facility Use Agreement. By bridging technical expertise with day-to-day operational oversight, this position is essential to sustaining a safe, well-managed, and educational environment for RSO innovation at RFS.
This is a part time (50% FTE), Limited appointment.
(A limited appointment is established at any percentage of time, fixed or variable, during which the appointee is expected to be on pay status for less than 1,000 hours in a rolling 12-month period.)
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is: September 26, 2025
Responsibilities
30% Oversee and monitor RSO use of RFS fabrication facilities during assigned hours; enforce safety standards and conduct requirements; oversee supervised activities (e.g., welding, composites, dust booth, bladed tools, ovens/autoclaves, high-voltage work).
25% Provide technical guidance, training, and support to students on fabrication techniques and safe equipment use; assist in design reviews and troubleshooting of RSO projects.
20% Directly oversee student workers assigned to RFS; ensure consistency with College standards for oversight.
15% Maintain, repair, and set up fabrication equipment and laboratory spaces; assist with chemical inventory, hazardous waste handling, and facility organization.
5% Support vehicle pool access and shop logistics in coordination with the R&D Engineer 3; assist with implementation of SOPs and Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) developed for RSOs.
5% Perform other duties as assigned, including supporting events, demonstrations, and emergency response protocols.
Required Qualifications
- Demonstrated hands-on technical skills in fabrication processes (e.g., machining, welding, composites, high-voltage systems, or equivalent).
- Working knowledge of safe shop practices and hazardous equipment operation.
- Ability to enforce safety and conduct rules consistently while supporting student learning.
- Experience supervising or mentoring student workers, apprentices, or junior staff.
- Organizational ability to prioritize multiple projects and facility needs.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with students, staff, and faculty in a dynamic team environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with university laboratory/shop safety programs (e.g., EH&S, OSHA).
- Prior experience supporting student project teams, makerspaces, or technical clubs.
- Equivalent to a journeyman-level machinist/fabricator or technician with demonstrated safety training and hands-on experience.
- A Bachelor's degree in a related field may substitute, but is not required.
Salary & Benefits
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $37.89 to $42.61 hourly. This is a 50% FTE (part time), Limited position. This position is FLSA Non-exempt and paid biweekley.
Conviction History Background
This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Misconduct Disclosure
As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
To apply, visit https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucb/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&JobOpeningId=81139&PostingSeq=1&SiteId=21&languageCd=ENG&FOCUS=Applicant
jeid-5ec09ec57de08b46867d680c1a2255d3
