Imperial College London
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Job Description
Job Title:
Laboratory/AV Technician
Grade:
Technical Services, Level 3a
Campus:
South Kensington
Responsible to:
Technical Services Manager
Works closely with:
Technical Services Manager, Academic staff,
Undergraduate and postgraduate students and
Technical staff in the Department of Electrical and
Electronic Engineering. Other departments, universities
and companies.
Introduction
The post will provide technical support for teaching in three ways, as a technician in the
laboratory and workshop and as an AV technician. The post-holder will hold an important
role within the departmental team of technical support.
It is intended that the majority of time for the role will be spent on AV support and managing
the laboratory. Time spent in the workshop will be undertaken as and when required. This is
a technical post requiring a very broad range of skills, training will be given where necessary.
Key Responsibilities
It is expected that the postholder will be proactive in carrying out a range of specialist
technical support tasks to time and quality standards and be able to work independently
with minimal supervision.
Laboratory
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To undertake laboratory based demonstrations and teaching of a digital signal
processing course so as to ensure students are able to complete their laboratory
coursework. It is expected that the post-holder will be able to contribute to the writing
of course material as experience in the role increases.
To act as first point of contact for students requiring technical advice including
outside of scheduled laboratory sessions.
To manage and oversee the scheduling of the experiment resources to students in
the laboratory. This includes managing student records and an equipment inventory
database.
To ensure that the portable appliance testing for the equipment in the MSc laboratory
and study area (and other areas) is managed so as to meet regulations, including the
accurate completion of documentation, records and reports.
To keep laboratory and study areas safe and secure and ensure that all resources
are in good working order.
To diagnose and rectify faults/problems with any equipment or procedures.
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To manage the laboratory equipment so as to ensure it is in set out and cleared away
at the appropriate times.
To maintain the laboratory web pages so that information is up-to date and students
are kept informed of lab schedules and other relevant information.
To liaise with demonstrators to ensure that student attendance and logbook records
are up to date.
To assess and advise on the suitability of equipment for the laboratory before
purchasing in line with the budget.
To monitor and maintain a safe working environment in accordance with Health and
Safery procedures.
To contribute to the development of new or improved methods/techniques/equipment
where appropriate.
To adapt and refine work practices and procedures in own area.
To set and monitor technical standards in own area of work.
To ultilise technical knowledge and experience in own area to interpret the
requirements of staff/students using the Laboratories and improve the overall service.
To assist in the other departmental laboratories as required.
AV support
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To be responsible for and manage the departments AV equipment.
To be the first point of contact for staff requiring help on how to use the AV
equipment or requiring modification to the basic set up.
To respond to AV call-outs in a timely manner.
To repair AV faults – delegating work, and arranging contractors when necessary.
To programme the AV controllers using Global Configurator software (enabling the
AV to be monitored and controlled remotely).
Modification of the AV solutions to meet department’s particular needs.
Workshop
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To manufacture, design and construct new equipment used in taught courses. This
will include using soldering and hand tools, CNC machines, and PCB manufacturing
equipment. Will require knowledge of Eagle PCB design software and be able to
design PCB’s.
General
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To carry out other reasonable tasks as requested by academics and senior
departmental staff.
To observe and comply with all College policies and regulations, including the key
policies and procedures on Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest, Data Protection, Equal
Opportunities, Financial Regulations, Health and Safety, Imperial Expectations (for
new leaders, managers and supervisors), Information Technology, Private
Engagements and Register of Interests, and Smoking.
To undertake specific safety responsibilities relevant to individual roles, as set out on
the College Website Health and Safety Structure and Responsibilities page
(http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/safety/policies/organisationandarrangements).
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and the post-holder may be required to
undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating
discrimination. All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out in its
Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy and all
other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.
Person Specification
This is a post requiring experience of working at a similar level. The post-holder must be
proactive in their approach to their duties and be able to work without supervision. The post
involves a high level of interaction with staff at all levels and the post-holder must have a
diplomatic and professional manner.
Applicants are required to demonstrate that they possess the following attributes.
Imperial Expectations
These are the 7 principles that Imperial leaders, managers and supervisors are expected to
follow:
1) Champion a positive approach to change and opportunity
2) Communicate regularly and effectively within, and across, teams
3) Consider the thoughts and expectations of others
4) Deliver positive outcomes
5) Encourage inclusive participation and eliminate discrimination
6) Support and develop staff/colleagues to optimise talent
7) Work in a planned and managed way
Qualifications
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A minimum of a BTEC Ordinary National Certificate in Electronic Engineering, or an
equivalent qualification (appropriate working experience in lieu of formal
qualifications would be considered).
A Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) certificate.
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
 Eagle PCB design software experience.
 Global configurator software experience (for AV control).
 Previous experience of working with and managing AV equipment.
 Experience of using PAT equipment. Experience of using spread sheets, databases
and web page editing tools.
 A pro-active approach to health and safety.
Desirable
 Texas 6713 Digital Signal Processors programming certification.
 Previous experience of health and safety organisation or administration.
Skills and Abilities
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Good personal organisation and time management skills and ability to work with
minimum supervision.
Ability to use initiative.
Excellent analytical and problem solving skills.
Good IT skills, including editing web pages, working with databases creating reports
and spread sheets.
The ability to communicate effectively and to interact with staff, students and
colleagues.
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An enthusiastic, methodical, accurate and dependable approach is essential to the
responsibilities of this post and the ability to plan ahead and cope with several
activities simultaneously.
Resourceful, flexible and able to work under pressure both as a member of a team
and on your own initiative.
The ability to organise and prioritise work in response to deadlines.
A willingness to undertake training to improve your skills base and an ability to adapt
to changing circumstances.