Job Description and Person
Specification
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title:
Technician
Academic Unit/Service:
ORC
Faculty:
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Career Pathway:
Technical and Experimental (TAE)
*ERE category:
n/a
Posts responsible to:
ORC B46 Senior Technician – Level 3
Level:
2a
Posts responsible for:
Post base:
Non Office-based (see job hazard analysis)
Job purpose
To provide practical mechanical engineering and technical service expertise and support within
the ORC and Zepler Institute.
To assists within the technical team, providing guidance and safety advice on all matters
related to mechanical engineering, machining, and the installation and maintenance of
laboratory support services.
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
1.
To prepare and carry out routine mechanical machining to support the ORC and Zepler
Institute, following standard procedures and ensuring the work is completed accurately
and to deadlines.
40 %
2.
To assist with lab modifications and moves. Including the fabrication of purpose built
mobile stacks and overhead frames to house associated lab equipment.
15 %
3.
To carry out the electrical safety testing, or inspections, of all electrical portable appliances 20 %
(PAT) – both annually and 6-monthly.
4.
To draw optical components, holders and jigs in most instances by using a CAD package.
To liaise with University workshop staff or external companies to obtain quotations for the
manufacture of specialist mechanical components.
10 %
5.
To assist the technical team with the installation of chilled water supply lines and their
associated components.
5%
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
6.
To support research labs with the installation of gas supply lines and their associated
components from either cylinders or from cryogenic vessels. To safely operate, maintain
and install gas cylinders
5%
7.
To assist with the handling of gas cylinders and cryogenic liquid vessels – transferring the
units safely from the delivery/storage area to the point of use for the research groups.
5%
Internal and external relationships
a) Senior Technician – problem solving; prioritisation of the workload; safe working practices;
to highlight factors that are hampering the completion of tasks within the ‘primary
responsibilities’; conduct annual PPDR.
b) Phd Students - Organising the installation of laboratory services. Design and manufacture of
specialist optical components and assisting with project objectives.
c) Project Supervisors – To raise purchase requisitions to enable components/materials to be
received for the manufacture of research equipment and service infrastructure.
d) External Companies. Production machining of components or purchasing equipment or
materials.
Special Requirements
Special Requirements:
1. Working in a mechanical workshop - Cutting/rotating machinery/ sharps, manual handling.
2. Gas cylinder handling. Compressed gases – toxic, flammable, asphyxiant, manual handling cylinders.
3. Cryogenic liquid handling - Intense cold / burns, manual handling dewars
4. Working in laser labs - Intense light / burns
5. Acid treatment plant/fume scrubber – Toxic and corrosive chemicals.
6. High power fans - Electric shock and rotating machinery.
7. Chemical handling - Toxic, corrosive, flammable and harmful.
8. Manual Handling - Bodily strain, heavy falling loads.
9. Some out of hours working for electrical portable appliance testing or emergency equipment repairs.
Document1TAE Level 2a
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria
Essential
Qualifications,
knowledge and
experience
Skill level equivalent to achievement
of NVQ2, GCSE or City and Guilds,
with some relevant work experience
in a technical support role.
Desirable
How to be
assessed
CV/Interview
Completion of a mechanical
apprenticeship
Able to demonstrate a sufficient
knowledge of work systems,
equipment processes and standard
IT packages.
Ability to operate and maintain
relevant basic machinery.
Ability to make effective use of
standard computer systems
Experience of data input and record
keeping.
Planning and
organising
Able to effectively organise allocated
work activities and assist in the
effective organisation of nonstandard tasks and events.
CV/Interview
Problem solving
and initiative
Able to solve a range of problems by
responding to varying circumstances,
whilst working within standard
procedures.
CV/Interview
Ability to analyse data and present
summary data clearly.
Management
and teamwork
Able to contribute to team efficiency
through sharing information and
constructively supporting others.
CV/Interview
Able to ensure any staff managed or
supervised are focused on allocated
tasks and aware of service standards.
Ability to adapt well to change and
service improvements.
Communicating
and influencing
Able to seek and clarify detail.
CV/Interview
Able to explain procedures and
provide assistance where necessary.
Ability to demonstrate own duties to
other colleagues as required.
Other skills and
behaviours
Special
requirements
Willingness to undertake Health and
Safety training specific to role.
Document1TAE Level 2a
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JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
Is this an office-based post?
☐ Yes
If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU), no further
information needs to be supplied. Do not complete the section below.
☒ No
If this post is not office-based or has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use of
VDU) please complete the analysis below.
Hiring managers are asked to complete this section as accurately as possible to ensure the safety
of the post-holder.
## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position. Please note, if full health clearance is required
for a role, this will apply to all individuals, including existing members of staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES
Occasionally
Frequently
Constantly
(<30% of time)
(30-60% of time)
(> 60% of time)
Outside work
x
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
x
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards). Specify below:
x
Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
Repetitive pulling/pushing
Repetitive lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)
Gross motor grips
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
Face to face contact with public
Lone working
x
## Shift work/night work/on call duties
Document1TAE Level 2a
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