Laboratory Mechanic (0886)

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

With 18 departments and spanning the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the largest of NIU’s six undergraduate colleges.

By the nature of our mission, we touch virtually every new student to the university, regardless of their major, through the wide array of general education courses housed within our departments.

Position Summary

The Laboratory Mechanic interacts with faculty, students and staff as they work with CLAS departments to create, build and repair equipment and parts used for research and instruction by the Liberal Arts and Science community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Tests and operates laboratory equipment.
• Performs simple scheduled mechanical maintenance and repairs as needed.
• Employs welding, brazing, and hard and soft soldering techniques.
• Maintains organization and cleanliness of the facility.
• Makes and fits laboratory equipment and apparatus as requested.
• Fabricates parts or components with CAD/CAM software to create part files for CNC machine tools.
• Maintains records of work performed.
• Demonstrates use of laboratory equipment and gives instructions on operating, maintenance, and storage procedures.
• Maintains the organization and cleanliness of the machine shop.
• Updates annual machine shop inventory.
• Performs work that may include working in elevated or confined spaces.
• Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Any combination totaling four (4) years (48 months) from the categories below:
• Successful completion of a machinist apprentice (or a closely related program) in an approved training program or in a training program established by an employer served by the State Universities Civil Service System.
• Work experience comparable to that performed at the Assistant Laboratory Mechanic level of this series or in other positions of comparable responsibility.
• Coursework in welding, electrical/electronics, HVAC, industrial technology machining or manufacturing or a closely related field, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
• 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months).
• 60 semester hours (or an Associate’s degree) equals two (2) years (24 months).
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)
• Knowledge of materials, machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Working knowledge of computer systems such as CAD files and CAM software.
• Knowledge of math concepts and applications, including algebra, trigonometry, and geometry.
• Skilled in performing maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Skilled at determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• Skill and ability to perform necessary maintenance and repair on laboratory equipment.
• Ability to install equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications and to operate such equipment.
• Ability to effectively communicate information verbally and in writing so that others can understand.
• Ability to understand written instructions.
• Ability to train and direct others.
• Ability to read, understand, and interpret maintenance manuals, schematics, drawings, sketches, and diagrams of systems involving mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic devices, and produce simple sketches for production purposes.
• Specialty Factors (Civil Service)
• None
• Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)
• Experience with CAD/CAM software.
• Experience with CNC machine tools.
• Appointment and Compensation Details
• Anticipated Appointment Start Date: 08/16/2026
• Percent of Staff Year: 1.00
• Standard Hours Per Week: 37.50

Working Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm, one-hour lunch.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications.

NIU will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations, and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities.

Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process.

An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form.

• For further assistance, please contact the office of AAEO at
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