Senior Workshop Technician

12036BR

Cardiff School of Chemistry

Technical

Advert

Senior Workshop Technician
Cardiff School of Chemistry
Cardiff University

The School of Chemistry is seeking to appoint a self-motivated and enthusiastic individual as an Senior Workshop Technician. The post holder will work in the Schools Workshop Facility and provide professional technical support to the School in terms of the repair and maintenance of equipment and the fabrication of bespoke scientific apparatus whilst also delivering high quality, precision engineering solutions. The successful candidate will be an effective team player and be able to adapt to a broad range of duties and challenges.

Informal enquiries about the post may be directed to Dr R Jenkins, Deputy School Manager ([email protected]; 029 2087 6750) or  Dr M Akhtar, School Manager ([email protected]; 029 2087 0680).

For further details about working in Cardiff University please contact: Ms Caroline Pasmore ([email protected]; +44 (0)29 2087 4073)

Please visit www.cardiff.ac.uk/chemistry for further information about the School of Chemistry.

This position is full-time (35 hours per week), open-ended and is available immediately.

To work for an employer that values and promotes equality of opportunity, please visit www.cardiff.ac.uk/jobs and search for vacancy number: 12036BR.

Salary: £22,417 - £26,715 per annum (Grade 4). 

Important note: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.  Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined below. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide under each element. 

When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number, e.g. Supporting Statement for 12036BR.

Date advert posted: Thursday, 29 July 2021

Closing date: Sunday, 26 September 2021 

This post has previously been advertised to employees of Cardiff University only.  We now invite external applications.

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Job Description

Job Purpose

To provide a comprehensive provision of technical support for the good functioning of the school’s workshops services and facilities.

To manufacture, install and maintain bespoke equipment for use in research and teaching laboratories
To be a proactive and collegial member of the school’s administrative and technical support services

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Duties 

•    Participate in the development, modification and construction of specialist/bespoke equipment and apparatus using various mechanical workshop machinery and techniques 

•    Operate, maintain, service and adjust complex workshop machinery such as lathes and milling machines, 

•    Design and manufacture bespoke experimental systems and research apparatus, assisting research students and staff in the construction of specialist high pressure and gas flow laboratory reactors 

•    Take responsibility for maintaining consumable stock levels, maintenance of machinery and apparatus within the mechanical workshop

•    To install, commission, maintain, service, overhaul and modify specialist equipment, e.g. high pressure autoclave reactor systems.

•    To carry out basic electrical fault finding on malfunctioning equipment

•    Following established guidelines train staff and research students in technical procedures, including the correct selection and safe use of equipment e.g. installation and leak testing of compressed gas regulators and the correct use of vacuum pumps and associated vacuum systems

•    Undertake reviews of technical processes and procedures, in collaboration with line management, and advise on options for improvement.

•    To liaise with and provide advice and support as necessary to external organisations and other Schools within the University to whom the School proves Workshop Services

•    To Support the department in the implementation of new procedures and systems as it applies to the Technical Services Team and to the good functioning of the School more generally, contributing actively to the delivery of high-quality services and to a culture of continuous improvement

General Duties

•    To work flexibly and co-operatively with other members of the School’s Administrative and Technical Services to ensure that the support provided continuously meet the needs of the School’s students, staff, visitors and partners

•    To support the implementation of the School’s health and safety code of practice and the maintenance of a positive and proactive safety, health and environment (SHE) culture across the School, including by undertaking all duties with due regard to SHE considerations, setting an example
to others and reporting swiftly any concerns or issues to the School Safety, Health, Environment and Wellbeing (SHEW) Officer or other appropriate members of staff

•    To abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity 

•    To perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role, as may be determined by the Deputy School Manager, School Manager or Head of School from time to time.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

1.    NVQ 3/A-Levels or equivalent qualification/work related experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

2.    Substantial experience of working in a mechanical engineering environment

3.     Specialist knowledge and experience of maintaining various equipment, apparatus and machinery

4.    Ability to set up and review standard technical processes and procedures and recommend improvements to the service provision as appropriate

Customer Service, Communication and Team Working

5.    Ability to communicate specialist and complex information effectively and professionally to a range of customers with varying levels of understating

6.    Experience of supervising the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals 

7.    Ability to train technical staff in workshop procedures and in the use of various equipment and instruments.

8.    Evidence of ability to explore customers’ needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure a quality service is delivered

Planning, Analysis and Problem solving

9.    Evidence of ability to solve problems using initiative and creativity; identify and propose practical solutions and to resolve problems where there are a range of potential options available

10.    Proven ability to work on own initiative, planning, organising and setting priorities for own work appropriately and to plan and manage small projects

Desirable Criteria

11.    Experience of working as a technician in a Higher Education environment

12.    Experience in MMA and / or MIG welding

13.    Fluency in Welsh, written and oral