HR191
NOTES




JOB DESCRIPTION
Forms must be downloaded from the UCT website: http://www.uct.ac.za/depts/sapweb/forms/forms.htm
This form serves as a template for the writing of job descriptions.
A copy of this form should be kept on file in your office.
For re-evaluations, this form must be sent to your relevant HR Advisor/Officer
POSITION DETAILS
Position Title (current title)
Senior Technical Officer
Status of Post (tick)
New Post
√
Re-evaluation
Job Grade (current grade)
Faculty (if applicable)
Health Sciences
Department
IIDMM
Section (if applicable)
Date of Compilation
28 May 2012
FOR OFFICE USE
Job Title
Date of Grading
Grading Result
ORGANOGRAM
IIDMM Director
IIDMM Health & Safety Officer
IIDMM Research Administration Manager
IIDMM Operations Manager (PC10)
THIS POST – IIDMM TECHNICAL OFFICER
Departmental Assistants (PC5)
PURPOSE
The main purpose of this position is to act as the general Technical Officer for IIDMM operations
and laboratories. The incumbent will manage and monitor laboratory service staff and provide
operational services in support of the research and postgraduate training enterprise of the
IIDMM laboratories.
5 August 2009
Page 1 of 6
HR191
JOB CONTENT
Key Performance Areas (4 – 6)
1) DA management and services to
labs in WBS
% of
time
spent
40
Activities / Objectives / Tasks
Results / Outcomes

Line management of DAs
servicing labs in IIDMM WBS


Organization of on-going work
schedules and training for the DAs

Conduct regular meetings with the
DAs to monitor and evaluate
performance and turn-around time
of all operational and laboratory
services rendered to the Institute.
Competencies
A well-functioning service to
IIDMM laboratories in WBS in
accordance with GLP
 Lead and manage all direct reports
 Manage the leave for
administrative staff
 Keep all staff informed of
developments within the
department
 Co-ordinate the department’s
annual performance development
programme
 Identify training needs and
organise relevant training
initiatives
 Coach staff to assist with
performance improvement
5 August 2009
Page 2 of 6
HR191
2) Monitor and service the IIDMM
piped CO2 manifold system and the
laboratory CO2 requirements
5 August 2009
10

Operate washrooms in WBS
laboratories and coordinate
provision of relevant services to
ensure standardisation and
optimisation across laboratories

Manage the “Level 3 Fund”
established for communal
purchases for contributing
laboratories in the IIDMM WBS
Level 2

Help to maintain laboratories by
liaising and communicating with
individual laboratory/unit
managers, technicians and
researchers to assess laboratory
infrastructural and equipment
needs.

Establish and maintain SOP’s for
routine procedures
Make daily checks on the stock
levels of CO2 gas and initiate
purchase order when required


Check the manifold system
regularly for good mechanical
order and leaks

Connect up full cylinders and
disconnect empty cylinders at the
manifold when required according
to good mechanical practice and
also when requested to do so in
labs
Page 3 of 6
 Proper and safe working of this
vital research infrastructural
requirement
HR191
3) Operations Support
4) Management of the Advanced
Training Lab
5) Laboratory support
5 August 2009
15
5
30

Check laboratory CO2 incubators
to ensure safe connections to the
on-line piped CO2 supply

Assist the Operations Manager
with monitoring and maintenance
of the IIDMM call logging and
tracking system, when required

Assist the Operations Manager

with the IIDMM perimeter security
and access system, when required

Maintain the good working order of
the laboratory

Maintain equipment in good
working order and keep records
of laboratory assets

Manage laboratory booking
schedule

Responsible for preparation of the
Lekgotla seminar rooms when
required, as per instruction from
the Director’s Executive Assistant

Liaise with the lab managers and
assist with laboratory operational
functions when required.

Maintain an inventory of service
Page 4 of 6

Maintaining an online record of
the status of IIDMM
maintenance requests
submitted and ensuring a quick
attendance to requests by
relevant staff/contractors
Providing staff/students with a
secure and access-controlled
environment in which to work

Ensuring that proper working
laboratory equipment
/conditions exist for training of
scientists

Maintaining a record of
availability of the facility

Helping the IIDMM to achieve
administrative and operational
goals and deadlines
HR191
providers for repairing laboratory
equipment
6) General administration
5 August 2009

Management of chemical store

Maintenance of core and other
facilities as specified by the
Director (e.g. walk-in freezers;
chemical stores; maintenance of
core equipment)

Ad hoc responsibilities including
being on call from time to time
Page 5 of 6
HR191
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Experience
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
BSc with majors in natural sciences or BTech with Med Lab Tech specialty
At least 3-5 years’ work experience in a research laboratory environment.
Previous experience in supervision of laboratory/other staff essential.
AUTHORITY
PRINT NAME
SIGNATURE
CONTACT NO.
DATE
Compiled by
Approved by
Reviewed by
5 August 2009
Page 6 of 6
HR191