We are seeking a Senior Laboratory Technician, Design with a trade or manual arts experience in wood, plastics and metals to instruct design and architecture students to create prototypes and models. Women, Indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
| Position Title: | Senior Laboratory Technician - Design |
| Vacancy Reference No: | 28382 |
| Closing Date: | 6 October 2008 |
| Department / Division: | Faculty Operations Portfolio |
| Campus: | Gardens Point |
| Classification/Salary Range: | $53 253 to $57 660 pa (HEW6) |
| Plus Superannuation: | 17% employer contribution |
| Status: | Ongoing appointment |
| Contact Name and Title: | David Burgess, Supervising Technician |
| HR Contact and Title: | Silke Morrison, Senior HR Advisor |
DUTY STATEMENT
Purpose of Position
The Senior Technician will be responsible for preparation of practical classes and activities and providing technical instruction, advice and assistance to students, staff and researchers primarily from the industrial design and architecture disciplines. Good instructional skills and sound practical knowledge are required for fabrication with a wide range of materials and finishes using a variety of manual and power tools and computerised rapid prototyping technologies. The position will also be required to perform administrative duties and may occasionally be required to work outside normal working hours to support evening practical classes, field trips and faculty activities.
The position provides a high level of technical services across the Faculty as an integral member of the Technology Services Unit. Senior Laboratory Technicians have responsibility for a specific laboratory or laboratories including their operation, facility development, health and safety and interface with users. Technical support is also provided by participating in project teams, working groups, committees, health and safety roles and other cross Faculty activities.
In the Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering, all staff are expected to contribute to the achievement of the Faculty’s vision, values and strategic goals.
Organisational Relationships
Supervision for the position is provided by the Supervising Technician within the Design Laboratory team. Supervision of the position is general to broad direction with the requirement of supervisory and line management responsibility for other staff. The position will also work in project teams and assume the team leader role for some projects. While being a part of the Technology Services Unit in the Faculty the position maintains close partnerships with colleagues in Schools and research areas and has a student focus, customer service perspective.
System knowledge required
Knowledge of systems that support operation of technical and general functions is required including, but not limited to, health and safety, asset management, budget and purchasing, IT resources, and the relevant parts of the QUT Manual of Policy and Procedures. Use of the provided web based resources and information and follow up on official communication by email and team/supervisor meetings is required to gain and maintain relevant knowledge.
Proficiency is required in determining and understanding the existing rules, regulations, processes and techniques of the laboratories area and how they interact with other related functions. Adaptation of these procedures and techniques may be required to achieve objectives without impacting on other areas. All QUT staff work within the established systems framework and may contribute to the continued improvement of these processes.
Duties include:
- Provide highly specialised services and management of teaching and research laboratory/s and project specific requirements across the Faculty.
- Preparing and setting up for student practical classes.
- Assist in the development of student laboratory exercises including documentation in collaboration with academic staff.
- Imparting practical knowledge and skills to students individually or in groups.
- Design, construct, procure, commission, life cycle manage, and instruct in the use of complex laboratory and workshop equipment such as:
- Wood/plastic/metal/foam working and forming equipment
- Laser cutters
- Rapid prototype printers
- Multi-axis CNC routers
- 3D CAD software.
- Participate in community services duties which become necessary on an irregular basis, for example school visits, careers evenings, open days, etc.
- Provide logistics to support field trips
- Carry out testing and other investigatory activities in laboratory or field locations and communicate results through written reports.
- Supervise or line manage staff, lead project teams, supervise activities of staff and students using laboratory facilities.
- Undertake physical tasks such as moving sheet materials and equipment etc using safe manual handling techniques and equipment where required.
- Take responsibility for the operation of health and safety policies and procedures, audits, hazard reporting and safe work practices in the laboratory/s under the position’s management and for projects led. This may include roles such as Fire Warden, First Aid Officer or Work Place Health and Safety Officer or Representative
- Engage fully with health and safety systems including personal compliance, preparation of policy and procedure for laboratory practice, responsibility for students under control of the position and willing cooperation in the objectives of making the Faculty a safe and healthy workplace.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Essential:
- Education and training equivalent to the completion of a degree in a technology field with subsequent relevant experience; or extensive experience and specialist expertise or broad knowledge in trade or technical fields; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education and training.
- Demonstrated high proficiency and physical dexterity to accomplish a broad range of fabrication, assembly and finishing tasks with a wide range of materials relevant to model and prototype making within the industrial design and architecture disciplines.
- Demonstrated ability to solve technical problems and set up complex equipment acquire new knowledge or skills as required. Examples might include: new fabrication techniques for novel or new materials, programming or setting up CNC style equipment.
- Ability to identify and maintain best practices in laboratory or workshop management. Best practice will relate to generic laboratory management in areas such as health and safety, quality and resourcing.
- Demonstrated ability to work with a minimum level of supervision guided by policy, precedent, and professional standards as well as work as an effective part of a team.
- Demonstrated ability to supervise students and other technical staff and to prioritise and organise tasks to ensure timely completion of projects and for the effective operation of laboratories.
- Demonstrated communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively with and provide instruction to staff and students from diverse backgrounds and to prepare technical reports or instructions at a high standard
- Sound knowledge of workplace health and safety principles which will enable the appointee to implement these principles at an appropriate level and particularly as it relates in a manual arts type instructional environment. This includes safe manual handling techniques.
- Knowledge of equity and diversity principles which will enable the appointee to implement equal employment opportunity, equity and diversity principles at an everyday, operational level.
Desirable:
- Cert IV in Assessment and Workplace Training.
- Possession of a current ‘C’ class driver’s licence.
- Computer Aided Design/Drafting skills.
- Possession of current First Aid or Workplace Health and Safety certificate/s.
- Certification for electrical test & tag or a higher level electrical licence.
HOW TO APPLY
Please provide:
- Application Cover Sheet (doc, 60kb or pdf, 17kb)
- Applicants are encouraged to systematically address the selection criteria.
- Your current resume – including the names and contact details of referees.
Forward your application to jobapplications@qut.edu.au quoting vacancy ref no. 28382 by 6 October 2008.
Prior to submitting your application please review information regarding immigration requirements, workplace health and safety, equal employment opportunity, non-smoking policy and relocation available at
http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/jobs/information.jsp.
After the closing date, you can check the status of the recruitment process. QUT is an equal opportunity employer and employer of choice for women.