Senior Technician (Skills & Projects) - College of Engineering and Physical Sciences - 98341 - Band 500

SENIOR TECHNICIAN (SKILLS & PROJECTS) – 98341

Position Details

School of Engineering in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £23,699 to £25,485 with potential progression once in post to £29,471
Band 500
Full time
Fixed-term for up to 3 years
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK 
Closing Date: 1 November 2021 

Our offer to you 
 
People are at the heart of what we are and do. 
 
The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university.  We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success. 
 
We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential.  With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University. 
 
We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate.  We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work. 
 
Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working.  In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries. 
 
The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site.  On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens. 
 
Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham  

Job Summary

You will provide technical expertise, support and guidance in support of student-led project work (including some Student Societies activity) and student skills development.  You will provide support across a number of student-focused facilities in the School of Engineering including:

•    The Student MakerSpace
•    Engineering Design Centre
•    Students Skills Workshop
•    Project lab spaces
•    Civils teaching lab

You will be required to supervise students at undergraduate and postgraduate level and any external users of the School facilities, for example during outreach activities. You will be expected to act as a role model and coach others as appropriate, including more junior technical staff (e.g. apprentices).

You will need to develop a significant understanding of the practical engineering skills required in our programmes of study, and in-depth understanding of the engineering disciplines (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical), the ability to respond quickly and positively to changes in protocols, and troubleshoot problems, and optimise protocols to ensure a positive student experience.  You may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate some of the student-led activity in the School. In order to flexibly use resource you may be offered the opportunity to work in different areas of the School.

Main duties

1.    You will be required to supervise the day-to-day activities of students working in the student-focused facilities of the School.  
2.    You will provide support and guidance, and work closely with the students in relation to working requirements, working environment, Health & Safety, identifying any training requirements as appropriate.   
3.    You will be expected to act as a role model and coach students in the locality. 
4.    You will discuss the daily programme of work with your manager and other technical staff in the area to ensure the daily programme of work, session protocols and outcomes are clear.
5.    You will plan, based on the available timetabling information, the most efficient/effective means to turnaround the daily classes.  
6.    You will research, design, trial & modifying practical protocols (i.e. standard operating procedures) for activities. 
7.    Support the Deputy Technical Manager (Student Projects & Skills) where required and to deputise for them in their absence.
8.    Keeping the Deputy Technical Manager (Student Projects & Skills) informed as to changes to sessions or priorities, content of any discussions with academic leads and other matters relating to student activities. 
9.    Initiate discussion with the Deputy Technical Manager (Student Projects & Skills) on any issues that may compromise the core function of the student-focused facilities.
10.    Instruct and provide high-level technical support for students in the correct and safe handling of equipment. 
11.    Prepare and support Open Day, Offer Holder Visitor Day events, Continuous Professional Development and other external requirements within the student-focused facilities or other areas as and when required.
12.    Check practical layouts prior to activity to ensure that all requirements are in place.
13.    Be familiar with the use of a broad spectrum of general equipment and specialised equipment.
14.    Demonstrate equipment use, high-level techniques and procedures to staff and students. 
15.    Trouble-shoot and respond to problems, which may occur during practical sessions, using your in-depth knowledge and your ability to diagnose/resolve problems and suggest solutions. 

Health and Safety duties

1.    Proactive support for health and safety within the student-focused facilities.  This may include being required to look after a communal area as part of your duties.  Comply with all current rules and ensure all required assessments are in place, approved and up to date.
2.    Fully understand the safety aspects of equipment operation and be able to demonstrate/train staff (at all levels) on the correct usage of the equipment.
3.    Ensuring that regular maintenance processes are carried out and that appropriate records are maintained. 
4.    Reporting any breaches or non-compliance with H&S procedures to the relevant manager(s).
5.    Upholding the correct waste disposal stream as governed by College and local policy for laboratory.
6.    Postholders may be asked to undergo training as a First Aider and Fire Warden.

General Administration and Organisation

1.    Ensuring all records are accurate and kept up to date.
2.    Proactively maintain stocks of consumables, and when required generate purchase order requisitions using University systems.
3.    Receipt and correct storage of consumables/equipment and chemical reagents.
4.    Ensuring that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels.
5.    Ensuring that PAT testing, calibration of equipment and locally and centrally held equipment inventories are up to date and maintained. 
6.    Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures. 
7.    Maintain a technical support based communications (e.g. via Canvas - how to guides for equipment, practical setup guides), and keeping these up to date as and when session requirements or procedures change.

Other Duties

1.    In collaboration with the relevant manager the post holder will take an active role in the training and mentoring process for junior or newly appointed staff.
2.    Supports equality and values diversity, moderates own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others. 
3.    Any other duties as may reasonably be required, directed by the relevant manager.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience 

•    Relevant experience in machining and/or computer-aided design.
•    Extensive relevant workplace experience, equivalent professional qualification or degree in an appropriate subject.
•    GCSE level 2 (A*- C) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English. 
•    In-depth practical knowledge of relevant technical and scientific methods. 
•    Extensive experience of similar engineering based work, together with familiarity with a wide range of engineering equipment.
•    Positive service attitude and shows courtesy in dealing with others.
•    Ability to organise and manage own workload and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements.
•    Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team. 
•    Knowledge of current legislation relevant to the role.
•    Knowledge of current H&S policies and ability to uphold same.
•    Proficiency in commonly used software packages.
•    Understands the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace.
•    Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures.

Informal enquiries can be made to Donna Johnson; [email protected] 

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment 
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working. 

Our Values