Job Description
Job title:
Civil Engineering Laboratory Support Technician
Department:
ARCHITECTURE & CIVIL ENGINEERING (ACE)
Responsible to:
Technical Supervisor
Location:
6 East
Grade:
Technical Grade 5
Purpose of the job:
To provide the staff and students of the Department with skilled, technical
support for the Civil Engineering concrete, soils and structures testing
laboratories.
To work as part of a team of multi skilled technicians in providing a service to
both teaching and research in the Department. Skills provided by the team
cover a wide range of disciplines including working with concrete, soils
engineering, use of FRP, innovative building materials and fabrication of test
rigs and testing of specimens. The team also contribute to the teaching of
undergraduates and the supervision of undergraduates and postgraduates in
the use of equipment during individual research projects.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Using a high degree of technical expertise, provide design and manufacturing
advice, assistance and recommendations to academic and research staff and
students at all levels including:
1. To provide technical support for the Department’s Soils
Engineering, concrete, hydraulics, water quality and structures
Laboratories.
2. To support work using innovative and sustainable building materials,
in particular lime- based products such as lime mortars.
3. To assist in testing, construction of rigs and to operate testing and
data collection equipment.
4. To assist other specialist technicians as required.
5. To advise students and staff on the design, construction and
provision of research and laboratory equipment.
6. To supervise and demonstrate the safe usage of equipment to the
students.
7. To assist in the operation and maintenance of workshop machine
tools, plant, equipment and machinery involving hydraulic, pneumatic,
plumbing and assembly applications.
8. To be responsible for the maintenance of a clean and safe workshop
environment and to be the designated custodian for assigned
laboratory space.
9. To check, clean and maintain laboratory equipment.
10. To comply with both statutory and university safety protocols.
Supervision
Line Manager:-
Technical Manager, ACE
Supervisor:
Technical Supervisor, ACE
Supervision received:
Minimal
Supervision given:
None
Special Conditions
Although based in the main departmental workshops and laboratories, the job
may involve working at times in any of the department’s specialist
laboratories. Lifting and handling of heavy and/or large objects is a necessity
although training will be given and lifting/handling aids are provided when
appropriate. Contact with chemicals (mainly solvents & adhesives) oils and
fuels is sometimes part of the job and again PPE is provided alongside
COSHH sheets for the materials.
Normal university flexitime rules apply with the proviso that scheduled
laboratory support must be met. The Department operates a lab custodian
system; the post holder will be expected to assume responsibility for some lab
space on this basis.
Other Related Activities and Functions
To be flexible and to assist with technical duties in other Faculty of
Engineering & Design departments, if requested by the Director of Technical
Services, in liaison with the Heads of Departments, Technical Managers and
Technical Supervisors, due to variations in workload, staff shortages or reorganisation.
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
Degree in Civil Engineering or Science
related subject or related discipline.
Assessed by
A/F
X
I
X
Experience/Knowledge
Experience of Civil Engineering,
Geotechnics and/or innovative building
materials i.e. lime, timber, rammed earth,
clay blocks, masonry, straw bales etc
Previous experience of working in a
laboratory/university and an
understanding of the issues to be faced
in such a work environment.
X
X
X
X
Skills
Manual skills gained through experience
of handling different building materials
i.e. concrete, lime, soil, timber
X
X
X
Ability to use a range of hand tools.
X
X
X
Ability to work independently with
minimal supervision.
X
X
X
Ability to work as part of a team with
excellent interpersonal skills.
X
X
X
Ability to work with efficiency and
accuracy while prioritising workload to
meet deadlines.
X
X
X
Experience of following test procedures
to comply with current British and
European Standards
X
Competence in IT skills and Internet
usage.
X
X
X
Welding experience (arc, mig, tig and
oxyacetylene).
X
X
X
Sheet metal and fabrication skills
X
X
X
Ability to use woodworking machinery
X
X
X
T
Used to working with concrete,
reinforcement and formwork
X
Previous experience working with
students and / or researchers.
X
X
Attributes
Ability to work in a team
X
X
IT literate
X
X
Good interpersonal skills
X
X
Good communicator
X
X