Get documents about "Senior Technical Officer instrumentation ICP and AA April2012
Document Sample
Faculty/Division Science
Job Grade
DATE PROFILE WAS LAST 10 (9)
April 2012
REVIEWED
NAME
Senior Technical
Officer
JOB TITLE INCUMBENT To be filled
(Instrumentation –ICP
& AA) – new post
J. Fourie
DEPARTMENT/SECTION Chemistry SUPERVISOR/MANAGER Principal Technical
Officer
JOB TYPE
Support DIVISION HEAD HoD
(ACADEMIC/SUPPORT)
MAIN JOB OBJECTIVE/S
The purpose of the job is to manage and maintain scientific equipment within the department so that they
are operationally available for research and teaching purposes.
DESCRIPTION OF KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS STANDARD EXPECTED
FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBITLIES including: -
Maintaining computer hardware and scientific Job incumbent is expected to ensuring that all
equipment computer hardware and scientific equipment is
Maintaining the efficient functioning of both maintained and serviced according to the
stand-alone computers and computers linked procedures that have been laid down.
to research equipment Maintenance and servicing must be carried out
according to the timeframes that have been laid
Ensuring that the Departmental research and
down.
teaching equipment is maintained in working
Technical problems associated with research
order and that down-time of this equipment,
equipment must be diagnosed accurately and
due to component or soft-ware failure, is
quickly in order to reduce the amount of down
minimized;
time.
Diagnosis of technical problems associated
Job incumbent is expected to use his/her initiative
with research equipment to facilitate rapid
in finding solutions to problems and should do so in
equipment repair.
a manner that is both cost effective and contains
Trouble shooting research equipment related
the amount of down-time.
problems and providing advice on cost-
Job incumbent is required to develop a working
effective and time–saving solutions to resolve
knowledge and understanding of all research
equipment failure.
equipment and its role in supporting research
Developing, through experience, an
projects and teaching within the Department. Job
understanding of the scientific role of the
incumbent is expected to appreciate that the
research equipment used to support various
sustained delivery of quality and reproducible data
research projects and undergraduate teaching
is critical to success in Chemistry research and
in the Department;
acknowledging the role of efficient technical back-
Take specific responsibility for maintaining the
up in sustaining this research delivery. She/he is
IR, Raman, and UV spectrometers, and
expected to be instrumental in providing the back-
training postgraduate students in particular in
service and support necessary to ensure ongoing
the use of the solid-state UV
research delivery.
spectrophotometer and the Raman
spectrometer. Assisting and regulating the use
of these departmental and NIC facilities by
non-departmental users, and running samples
2
as a service as directed by the HOD and/or
Director of the NIC.
TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILTIES including: -
Calibration of chemical balances and checking The job holder is expected to have a detailed
weighing instrument knowledge of the mechanics and electronics of
Ensuring that calibrations are always made electro-chemical balances. All calibrations are to
accurately and checked regularly. be accurately checked. Attention to detail is
Ensuring that in instances when new research important and the job incumbent is expected to
equipment is not installed by the suppliers check his/her own work. Installations must be
that these installations are carried out carried out within the specifications and timeframes
promptly, accurately and cost effectively; that have been laid down.
Constructing specialized research scientific Job incumbent is expected to conduct all his/her
equipment to researcher’s specifications and duties in an enthusiastic and willing manner.
satisfaction. Job incumbent is expected to display an attitude
Assisting the Principal Technical Officer or NIC and ability of continuous learning. She/he is
Nanotech Specialist with weekly cryogen fills expected to keep up to date with technology and
of EPR spectrometer. scientific research equipment developments so that
he/she can provide effective technical support and
Installing and making equipment for research
back-up.
students and staff
INTERNAL CONTACT:
TYPE OF CONTACT DAILY/MONTHLY PURPOSE OF CONTACT
ANNUAL
Academic Staff and research students Daily Advice on running equipment and
within the Department of Chemistry and informing users of technical problems.
associated DST/Mintek NIC.
EXTERNAL CONTACT:
TYPE OF CONTACT DAILY/MONTHLY PURPOSE OF CONTACT
ANNUAL
Suppliers of research equipment As required To procure prices for replacement parts
Service engineers As required To assist with trouble-shooting problems
with equipment.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
A minimum qualification of a relevant B.Sc. degree, or an equivalent tertiary based qualification with an
Electronics background plus 2 to 3 years relevant experience OR Matric plus 5 to 6 years relevant experience
is required where such experience includes: -
Previous exposure to chemistry and/or a related research environment. Previous experience in
solving technical problems is essential.
Previous experience working in a computerized environment. Computer literacy including sound
understanding of word-processing and various software packages with applications for various
scientific analyses is essential.
Some operational competence with scientific techniques such as EPR, X-ray diffraction, GCMS, LCMS,
NMR, IR, UV, electrochemistry, including a theoretical knowledge and applications thereof, would be
an advantage.
Must be able to demonstrate a technical and scientific aptitude
COMPETENCIES, I.E. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
The job holder is required to demonstrate the following competencies: -
3
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Must be able to demonstrate technical aptitude
An ability to transfer theoretical principles into viable scientific procedures
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPETENCIES
Strong organisational skills
Sound computer literacy
Sound analytical skills in order to solve problems
The ability to pay attention to detail. Must have an affinity for qualitative and repetitive work.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally, telephonically and electronically in English. The ability to
speak another official language will be an advantage.
Ability to cope with multiple demands and multi-task
PEOPLE SKILLS/INTERPERSONAL
Sound interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with a wide range of individuals
WORK BEHAVIOURS
Initiative and efficiency, willingness and capability to work unsupervised
Strong customer service ethic
Willingness to learn new methods
Lateral thinking and creativity
MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY DUTIES
None
NUMBER OF SUBORDINATES
None
TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT PATH
The job incumbent is likely to have come from a scientific laboratory environment and from this position can
move into suitable Principal and Chief Technical Officer positions. Career progression is dependent on the
availability of jobs, the job incumbent possessing the requisite education, experience and competencies and
the job incumbent doing a good job in his/her current position.
FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES (only if applicable)
PROJECT MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
The incumbent maintains and constructs the scientific equipment necessary for scientific projects to keep
going.
PROCESS MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
Ensuring that equipment in teaching and research laboratories is running within specifications
COST/FINANCIAL CONTROL
(i) Is the jobholder responsible for any aspect of cost control or for materials, stock or equipment? If yes,
what is the monetary value and to what extent is the person accountable or responsible?
None
(ii) Does the jobholder have a direct responsibility for controlling operational costs or expenses? If so, what
is the annual budget (ignoring direct and indirect remuneration costs)?
None
4
LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY
Who must authorize, review or clear decisions taken with regard to the jobholder’s functions?
The Principal Technical Officer
What percentage of tasks can be carried out without supervisory input and/ or control?
90%
What critical decisions is the jobholder normally authorized and empowered to make?
Managing scientific equipment specified by the Principal Technical Officer for research, teaching and
industrial uses.
PLANNING
(i) What is the longest (macro) period that the jobholder has to plan ahead?
1 month
(ii) Typically how long are the micro phases/time periods that the macro planning is divided into?
1 week
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Who prepared the job profile?
Prof GM Watkins
Please list all those who have been consulted in the drafting of this profile.
The HoD
Principal Technical Officer
Academic staff members
HR
Signature of the line manager Signature of the employee
Date Date
Signature of the HoD / Director (where she/he is not the line manager)
Date
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