Napa Valley College is seeking a Winery Lab Technician to support the Viticulture & Winery Technology (VWT) program. The VWT Program offers courses to prepare students for entry-level positions and help current industry employees to advance in their careers.   Students learn to apply viticulture and winemaking theory for decision-making in actual production situations. College facilities include classroom and laboratory buildings, vineyards, and a teaching winery.  The incumbent in this position will serve in the capacity of assistant winemaker; assisting faculty; providing support services for laboratory and classroom instruction within the Viticulture Program; conveying information regarding department functions and procedures; ensuring efficient operation of support functions; and coordinating assigned projects and site activities indigenous to Viticulture and Winery Technology Program. This job reports to the Senior Dean, Career Education and Workforce Development.
 
This is a full-time, 12-months-per-year, classified position.  The salary has an appropriate placement on range 15 of the current Classified Salary Schedule. The starting salary range is $3,986 to $4,614/month, with future steps up to $5,610/month.  Placement is made based on experience.  The college offers a fringe benefit package including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, employee assistance program, and public employee retirement system membership.

Essential Functions

• Assists faculty and staff with a variety of tasks (e.g. set up and clean up lab procedures, materials, equipment; enforcement of OSHA standards; problem-solving and troubleshooting; some clerical duties, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring adequate operation and understanding of Winery lab processes.
• Collaborates with Winery Operations Manager (e.g. monitoring inventory, conducting wine sales, compliance record keeping, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring efficient operations of the winery.
• Compiles data from a wide variety of sources (e.g. expenditures/budget, student responses, faculty documents, etc.) for the purpose of preparing reports, making recommendations, and preparing information for assigned administrator.
• Monitors a wide variety of activities on behalf of assigned Administrator (e.g. program components, student learning, wine-making equipment, etc.) for the purpose of achieving goals and meeting target dates in compliance with established guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Oversees the work activities of students and student workers (e.g. organizing assignments, monitoring progress, enforce laboratory safety rules, etc.) for the purpose of providing guidance and ensuring completion of program needs within established guidelines.
• Participates in meetings, workshops, trainings, and seminars for the purpose of conveying and gathering information to support the VWT program.
• Performs public relations (e.g. in cooperation with relevant campus departments, etc.) for the purpose of communicating the program and viticulture philosophy.
• Prepares lab materials (e.g. equipment, computers, peripherals, inventory, maintenance and repair, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the efficient operation of the lab.
• Prepares a wide variety of documents and correspondence (e.g. letters, payment vouchers, charts, periodic and ad-hoc reports, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, and conveying information.
• Presents information on viticulture procedures (e.g. department/program policies, submission procedures, etc.) for the purpose of orienting new personnel and disseminating information to existing personnel.
• Provides programmatic support (e.g. technical and academic problem solving and troubleshooting, quality assurance, lab analysis, documentation of wine chemistry, vendor selection, development of class/lab exercises, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring implementation of program processes, in compliance with administrative guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Responds to program needs for the purpose of ensuring winery and wine making process is professionally monitored.
• Responds to a wide variety of inquiries from internal and external parties (e.g. faculty, students, public agencies, vendors, wineries, etc.) for the purpose of providing information, facilitating communication among parties and providing direction.
• Schedules a wide variety of activities (e.g. meetings, training sessions, presentations, etc.) for the purpose of making necessary arrangements for instruction and outreach.
• Supports assigned administrative personnel (e.g. locating resources, compiling information, preparing reports, winemaking outreach, viticulture research, etc.) for the purpose of providing assistance with program processes, functions and responsibilities.
• Trains student assistants and interns, and faculty (e.g. lab procedures, use of materials and equipment, execution of work orders, etc.) for the purpose of providing necessary training and instructional support.

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Minimum Qualifications
 
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
 
SKILLS are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating standard office and lab equipment ; planning and managing projects; analyzing data; applying job-related codes, regulations and laws; classifying data and/or information; promoting activities and/or events; and using office software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, database, and presentation software.
 
KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read technical information, compose a variety of documents, and/or facilitate group discussions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: common office machines; concepts of spelling, grammar and punctuation; office methods and practices; bookkeeping practices; job-related codes/laws/rules/regulations/policies; knowledge of community resources; subject matter terminology; techniques, equipment, and materials used in the Viticulture and Winery Technology Department; industry standards for winemaking; basic wine chemistry; and principles of employee training and supervision.
 
ABILITY is required to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; gather and/or collate data; and consider a variety of factors when using equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using a variety of processes. Ability is also required to work with a diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with a variety of data; and utilize a variety of types of job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is moderate to significant. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing work priorities and work schedules; communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; setting priorities; working as part of a team; working with frequent interruptions; accuracy and attention to detail; analyzing issues and determining appropriate course of action; communicating with persons of diverse backgrounds; displaying tact and courtesy; multitasking; organizing tasks; troubleshooting; solving problems; working with detailed information/data; and demonstrated sensitivity to an understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic background of community college students.
 
Responsibility
Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; directing other persons within a small work unit; monitoring budget expenditures. Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization's services.
 
Work Environment
The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 20% sitting, 40% walking, and 40% standing. The job is performed in a generally hazard free environment and in some varying atmospheric condition. Job requires ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
 
Experience:
Three (3) years of job related experience with increasing levels of responsibility.
 
Education:
Community college and/or vocational school degree with study in job-related area.
 
Degree must be from an accredited institution. 

Certificates and Licenses:
Valid CA Driver's License & Evidence of Insurability
 
Continuing Education / Training:
Maintains Certificates and/or Licenses
 
Clearances:
Criminal Background Clearance
Tuberculosis Clearance
Physical Capacities Test Clearance
 
Desirable Qualifications
 

• Vineyard or winery work experience. 
• Associate of Science degree (or higher) in Viticulture or closely related field.
• Knowledge of vineyard recordkeeping practices.
• Ability to perform basic plumbing, electrical, and carpentry work.

A.  Applicants must complete the online application through GovernmentJobs.com.  All elements of the application, including supplemental questions, must be submitted in order for the application to be considered complete. 

Internal applicants are still required to submit a complete application packet for this position.  This includes submission of transcripts and all other required application materials.
 
B.  Applicants must attach the following to complete the application process: 
 

1. A letter of interest, not to exceed two pages, that addresses how you meet the minimum and desirable qualifications for the position as outlined in this announcement.
2. Current comprehensive resume.
3. Legible copies of transcripts verifying college work, degrees, and conferral dates.

• Transcripts without the degrees and conferral dates will be deemed incomplete.
• Foreign Transcripts: Napa Valley College requires that individuals who have completed college or university course work at an institution in a country other than the United States must obtain a complete evaluation of foreign transcripts, degrees and other relevant documents.  A foreign transcript evaluation is required any time foreign course work is used to meet minimum qualifications and/or salary placement, even if the foreign transcript has previously been accepted by a different college or university in the United States.  Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by one of the organizations approved by the State of California, Commission on Teacher Credentialing.  Please click here for a list of approved organizations.