Columbia College

Instructional Support Specialist - Forestry and Natural Resources* - Career Technical Education - Columbia College

Salary: $5,576 – $7,124 (2025-2026 Classified Salary Schedule)

Closing Date: Monday, August 3rd, 2026 at 11:59pm

To apply, submit your application and required documents on-line via our applicant system at: https://yosemite.peopleadmin.com/postings/8999

DEFINITION

Under direction, leads and performs highly advanced and technical support duties in Forestry and Natural resources; assists instructors in preparing for complex learning experiences; operates and maintains specialized equipment related to the assigned instructional areas; monitors and ensures the safety of student activities that may involve the use of hazardous equipment or other materials; performs complex technical administrative support tasks for faculty and other instructional staff; and performs related work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced and lead technical level class in the Instructional Support Series within the Yosemite Community College District (YCCD). Incumbents in this class provide advanced instructional and administrative support in technically complex settings and frequently serve as lead workers over multiple complex areas in such settings. Incumbents must possess and utilize highly technical and specialized knowledge of a particular instructional or academic area in order to perform duties and help ensure the safety of students.

This class may be distinguished from the lower-level class of Instructional Support Technician because incumbents in that class perform a wide range of complex technical instructional and administrative support duties in science, vocational, engineering, electronics, photography, physical education, or other specialized and technical environments, but do not typically serve as lead workers in those types of specialized settings.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Incumbents in this class work under the direction of a manager or senior manager, receiving occasional supervision while working toward a definite objective that requires use of a wide range of procedures. Incumbents plan and/or determine specific procedures or equipment required to meet assigned objectives and solve non-routine problems, referring only unusual matters to a supervisor.

An incumbent in this class does not directly supervise other full-time employees, but may serve as a lead worker by assigning, directing and/or monitoring the work of subordinate full-time employees on a regular basis.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The knowledge and ability requirements are representative of essential duties. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Knowledge of:

• Operations, procedures, goals or objectives of the Forestry and Natural Resources program.

• Methods and techniques of student instruction and tutoring.

• Principles and practices of supervision and leadership.

• Specialized subject matter pertaining to Forestry and Natural Resources.

• Modern office, classroom and laboratory procedures and equipment including computers.

• Basic mathematical principles and applications.

• Proper English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

• Principles and practices of filing and record keeping.

• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.

• Appropriate and effective communication and listening skills.

Ability to:

• Provide hands-on academic support to students as a supplement to their classroom teaching.

• Prepare activities and lessons as requested by the instructor.

• Respond to a variety of requests for assistance from students and instructors.

L• isten effectively and appropriately assess student academic needs.

• Work with students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, ages and academic abilities.

• Lead and direct the work of subordinate staff.

• Maintain accurate and complete records and files.

• Explain and ensure adherence to laboratory and program procedures, goals and objectives.

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Pattern I

Experience: Two years equivalent to an Instructional Support Technician at YCCD, performing duties that provided familiarity with Forestry and Natural Resources.

OR

Pattern II

Education: Possession of an associate’s degree from an accredited college or university, with major course work in Forestry and Natural Resources, or a related area applicable to the specific assignment of the position.

Experience: Four years performing technical duties that provided familiarity with Forestry and Natural Resources.

Special Requirements:

Depending upon the assignment of a position, applicants may be required to demonstrate technical knowledge and skills pertaining to a specialized academic area.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Sets up, disassembles, cleans or replaces apparatus and instructional materials used in activities and demonstrations.

• Ensures that assigned learning environments are maintained in a safe condition; calibrates and performs minor repairs on equipment; monitors the cleaning and organizing of materials; monitors the safety and security of equipment.

• Ensures that equipment is stored appropriately and safely.

• Develops, explains and demonstrates specialized and complex learning exercises and instructional materials; consults with faculty as needed to develop lesson plans.

• Maintains records of materials ordered, issued, used and returned and prepares related reports; maintains inventories to ensure that adequate quantities are available for timely instructional use;

• Assists in the development of field equipment / supply budgets.

• Instructs and/or tutors individual students and small groups to reinforce and follow up on learning activities; monitors and assists students in drills, practices and study activities as a follow up what was presented during regular classes.

• Receives, inventories, and stores all supplies and equipment required for the Forestry and Natural Resources instruction program.

• Sets up and conducts complex instructional exercises as directed; may independently implement and coordinate instructional sessions and activities.

• Seeks sources of demonstration materials and supplies for Forestry and Natural Resources instruction.

• Prepares and properly disposes of solutions and specimens.

• Oversees the disposal of unsafe or hazardous materials according to Federal, State, County and City regulations.

• Reports student progress toward the accomplishment of learning objectives.

• Maintains libraries and/or inventories of instructional resources and materials; maintains records of materials loaned to students for home study.

• Organizes and presents workshops related to the development of study skills, interpersonal skills, life skills, academic improvement, and other subjects relevant to learning.

• Coordinates and performs administrative support duties that may require typing, proofreading, filing, checking, and recording information.

• Posts information to a computerized and/or manual management information storage and retrieval systems; retrieves and compiles information and prepares complex clerical forms, reports and summaries.

• Operates a variety of computers and/or related equipment pertaining to the assigned academic area; performs routine hardware and software installations, maintenance and troubleshooting; assists students in utilizing specialized computer technology as part of the learning process; installs and sets up hardware and software; resolves and repairs minor technical issues.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Licenses and Certificates:

• Depending upon assignment, a valid license to drive in California may be required.