Teaching & Fieldwork Technician

Advert

Teaching & Fieldwork Technician  
The School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Cardiff University is a dynamic and successful multi-disciplinary centre devoted to research in the disciplines of Earth and Environmental Sciences. 

The School of Earth & Environmental Sciences is seeking to appoint an experienced technician to provide technical and teaching support for all practical teaching and fieldwork activities within the school.  

The role will involve providing technical support, ensuring that equipment is functioning properly and is ready to use, and that the right materials are available for lessons. The post holder will also be expected to train students and staff in technical procedures and in the use of equipment, including scientific apparatus. 

The role requires a level of technical experience and practical ability. It is expected that the candidate will participate and assist with residential field courses, fieldwork and boat trips. The candidate must have experience in or be willing to set up and demonstrate marine survey equipment, re-fuel the vessel and provide general support on the vessel.  

 The position is full time (35 hours per week) and open-ended.
Salary: £23,715 - £27,929 per annum (Grade 4)
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Abby Jesnick, Education and Students Manager – [email protected] or John Evans, School Manager – [email protected]    

More information about the school is available from the School website:
Earth and environmental sciences - Study - Cardiff University  

The School of Earth and Environmental Sciences holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award that recognises good employment practice. 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, age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We will also consider proposals for flexible working. 

Date advert posted: Wednesday, 25 January 2023

Closing date: Wednesday, 15 February 2023

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 

The School of Earth & Environmental Sciences is seeking to appoint an experienced technician to provide technical and teaching support for all practical teaching and fieldwork activities within the school.  

The role will involve providing technical support, ensuring that equipment is functioning properly and is ready to use, and that the right materials are available for lessons. The post holder will also be expected to train students and staff in technical procedures and in the use of equipment, including scientific apparatus. 

The role requires a level of technical experience and practical ability. It is expected that the candidate will participate and assist with residential field courses, fieldwork and boat trips. The candidate must have experience in or be willing to set up and demonstrate marine survey equipment, re-fuel the vessel and provide general support on the vessel.  

Duties and Responsibilities 

Key Duties 

To support the function of School teaching laboratories by setting up experimental systems and apparatus for practicals, assisting students and staff in the use and construction of equipment and apparatus (demonstrating) and facilitating tests and experiments across undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes. 

Provide technical and administrative support for teaching activity including production of teaching materials, supporting student project work, and maintaining records of these activities. 

Following established guidelines train students and staff in technical procedures and in the use of equipment, including scientific apparatus. 

Support the School will the preparations for fieldwork activities, including organising equipment, advising staff and overseeing risk assessments. 

To participate and assist with residential field courses, fieldwork, and boat trips. 

To keep fieldwork equipment in good order and maintain records of all equipment offsite. 

Take responsibility for stock levels on consumables and chemicals for teaching and fieldwork. 

Record and perform analysis on detailed data, including responsibility for maintaining databases for Portable Appliance Testing and Inventory in teaching areas. 

Maintain the highest standards of housekeeping and repair of equipment in School teaching areas both on-site and in the field. 

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

Support the School in the implementation of new procedures and systems.  

General Duties 

Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties. 

Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity. 

To ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in respect of data protection, copyright and licensing, security, financial and other University policies and procedures as appropriate. 

You may be asked to perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role. 

Person Specification

1.   NVQ 3/A-Levels or equivalent qualification/work related experience in the relevant subject area – e.g Geographical, Environmental or Marine Sciences. 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

2.   Substantial knowledge and experience of working as a teaching technician or equivalent. 

3.   Practical experience/Field skills in Geographical, Earth and Ocean Sciences. 

4.   Specialist knowledge and experience of maintaining, servicing and using appropriate laboratory equipment, fieldwork equipment and apparatus. 

5.   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 

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

7.   Ability to train technical staff and students in laboratory procedures and in the use of 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.   Proven ability to work on own initiative, planning, organising and setting priorities for own work appropriately and to plan and manage small projects. 

10. 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. 

Desirable Criteria 
1.   Experience with small boats, or a willingness to learn, and to support the School’s teaching and research on boat trips. 

2.   Experience snorkelling, ideally in conjunction with scuba diving qualifications.  

3.   Experience of working in a Higher Education environment. 

4.   Fluency in Welsh, written and oral.