Lab Assistant - Automation & Robotics Center

Job Summary

Do you enjoy sharing your knowledge and expertise in the area of Automation and Robotics? Are you passionate about making an impact and empowering others with life changing opportunities?  If so, Hawkeye Community College has a great opportunity for you!)

The Business and Community Education department is looking for a Lab Assistant to join their team at the Automation & Robotics Center. 

The Business and Community Education department provides services to the community, students and businesses looking for short-term training, continuing education, workforce training, apprenticeships, customized business training, and community resources. The Automation and Robotics Center will open at a new campus located in Waterloo, Iowa and projected to be completed by Spring 2023. It will be the first in the state to provide open lab, competency and project based training, and hands-on skill assessment with industry recognized stackable credentials. The center will be outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and instructional programming from FANUC, Rockwell, and Amatrol. Aligning our programming with Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) standards and center will serve the region. Students will be moved along their career focused pathway and businesses to their workforce goals utilizing customized training preparing each to be digitally ready for the future of advanced manufacturing.

As the Lab Assistant at the Automation & Robotics Center, you will primarily be responsible for providing assistance in the training and instructional programming of FANUC, Rockwell, and Amatrol and ensuring compliance with Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) standards. This will be done by assisting students with their career focused pathway, as well as assisting businesses with their workforce goals utilizing customized training preparing each to be digitally ready for the future of advanced manufacturing. In this position you will be serving students from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. 

Hawkeye Community College is a comprehensive community college focused on meeting the needs of the community by providing quality, affordable learning experiences for a diverse student body through our Adult Learning Center, Business and Community Education Department as well as through more than 50 career and technical programs and liberal arts transfer programs.  Hawkeye Community College’s mission is about empowering students, strengthening businesses and enriching communities with a vision to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve. 

Essential Job Functions  

Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists instructors in either classroom and/or virtual settings.
• Responsible for the preparation and reset of equipment and tools in an advanced manufacturing setting for student learning.
• Facilitates continuous training improvement strategies to support programs, students and businesses through technical leadership and subject matter expertise. 
• Assists instructors with the reinforcement of instruction of safety, robotics, electrical systems, PLC systems, motors, controls, instrumentation, automated systems, diagnostics, and troubleshooting, hydraulics, pneumatics, mechanical power systems, print reading, schematics and math.
• Employs instructional methods and materials that are appropriate for meeting stated objectives.
• Supports center projects with internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintains an organized and clean instructional environment.
• Practices, instructs, and enforces safe working practices.
• Facilitates student learning by working to develop every student’s abilities, and designing varied and exciting learning environments.
• Participates in program, curriculum, and student learning outcomes (SLO) development, revision, and assessment.
• Maintains cooperative relationships with all college employees, students, community partners, clients, and affiliates.
• Participates in campus committees as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Unless otherwise approved under Hawkeye’s remote work policy, regular on campus and/or onsite attendance is considered an essential function of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associates Degree in applicable manufacturing or other related discipline with 2000 hours and/or one (1) year of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience to total three (3) years.
• Must obtain SACA Industry 4.0 Associate level certification within the first 6 months of hire.
• Must obtain Ignite level 6 certification within the first 6 months of hire.
• Mastery of one of the key subject areas of advanced manufacturing.
• Knowledge and experience using modeling software to include Solidworks, CATIA, and Autodesk.
• Experience with the use of precision and non-precision measuring tools and equipment.
• Experience working in a manufacturing or laboratory environment.
• Experience in basic manufacturing theory.
• Experience interpreting basic-to-complex engineering drawings.
• Demonstrated ability work flexible hours to include days and evenings.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to, and understanding of, the diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural, ethnic and disability backgrounds of community college students.
• Demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service, maintain student confidence and protect operational integrity.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a culturally diverse student population, faculty, staff, and the general public.
• Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal communication.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite, Google applications, and video conferencing technology.
• Demonstrated ability to execute organization and department policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential/sensitive information with discretion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a manufacturing or lab environment.
• Mastery of one subject area/discipline in advanced manufacturing.
• Experience maintaining equipment.
• Experience leading or instructing students or co-workers.
• Proficient in print reading.
• Proficient in basic electrical circuits.

Working Conditions

Center hours are Monday – Friday 7am – 9pm.  Flexibility in scheduling to accommodate class schedules during the building being open from 7am – 9pm which could include mornings, afternoons, evenings or a split schedule.

Work is performed either in or a combination of an office setting, classroom setting, industrial lab environment, and potential exposure to a manufacturing like space using technology.  Requires good hand-eye coordination including visual acuity to use a keyboard and read technical information; arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp.   Sit, stand, bend, lift and move frequently during working hours. During course of day, interact with students, faculty and staff in person, by telephone and computers.

Employment Status

Full time, non-exempt position with comprehensive or competitive benefits program including health, dental, vision, life, and LTD insurance, a Section 125 plan for medical and dependent care expenses; holiday, personal, sick, and vacation leave; tuition reimbursement; and a choice of retirement programs—IPERS (defined benefit) or TIAA (defined contribution).

Hawkeye Community College is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to equity and diversity in its educational services and employment practices: https://www.hawkeyecollege.edu/about/diversity-inclusion/equal-opportunity. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex; race; age; color; creed; national origin; religion; disability; sexual orientation; gender identity; genetic information; or actual or potential parental, family, or marital status in its programs, activities, or employment practices. Veteran status is also included to the extent covered by law. Any person alleging a violation of equity regulations shall have the right to file a formal complaint. Inquiries concerning application of this statement should be addressed to: Equity Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator for employees, 319-296-4405; or Title IX Coordinator for students, 319-296-4448; Hawkeye Community College, 1501 East Orange Road, P.O. Box 8015, Waterloo, Iowa 50704-8015; or email equity-titleIX@hawkeyecollege.edu, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone number 312-730-1560, fax 312-730-1576, email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov. 

If any applicant is in need of a reasonable accommodation in completing the application process, please notify a member of Human Resource Services.

Application Procedure

• Complete an online application at hawkeyecollege.edu/employment
  • Submit/upload a cover letter addressing the following:
    • Explain how your education and experiences meet the qualifications of this position.
    • Please share why you are interested in the Lab Assistant position.
  • Submit/upload a resume.
  • Submit/upload 3 professional references with a minimum of 1 being from a current/past supervisor.
• Submit the online application and all required materials by January 3, 2023. Preference will be given to applicants who submit the required materials on or before January 3rd.  This position will remain open until filled.