Technical services

Summary

Roles at this level will have recognized technical OR managerial expertise and will EITHER have management responsibility for the delivery of a technical service OR will operate as individual technical advisers supporting teaching or research activity through the provision of specialist activity. Whilst all individuals at this level will be technically up-to-date, individual specialists will be seen as experts.

Representative work activities

Management

Manages a large and/or complex department/work area(s), accountable for the provision of a complete technical service which involves the following responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a technical team to deliver specific goals
• Determine priorities and allocate resources to meet planned objectives and requirements
• Work with the Head of Department/Division/Research Project responsible for budgeting and controlling the staffing establishment levels
• Delegation of work activities and responsibilities
• Monitor performance and taking appropriate corrective action to ensure performance standards are consistently met
• Ensure the general maintenance/security of buildings, plant and equipment
• Advise on the future requirements within the faculty/divisoin/djepartment (and/or grant holders) regarding general/specific equipment, apparatus, furniture and fittings, space etc
• Make a major contribution to the development of policies and procedures to ensure that all legislative and College requirements are met within the laboratories/workshops and work areas
• Liaise with the Head of Department/Division on the legal, health and safety standards required and putting in place policies and procedures throughout the laboratories/workshops/work areas/research section to comply with such regulations
• Ensure a safe working environment is maintained
• Ensure the department/work area operates effectively within any budget constraints, including grant management, and maintaining accurate financial records
• Recruitment, training, appraisal and development of staff
• Ensure effective communications with staff at all levels
• Review the technical organisation structure and staffing levels and make recommendations to the Head of Department/Division as necessary
• Advise staff and students on all aspects of technical support service provision, either personally or through delegation to appropriate team member
• Contribute to the management of the department/division as a whole through membership of the appropriate committee structure
• Communicate and liaise within the College and maintain regular contact with external bodies as appropriate
• Develop policies and procedures for technical support service activities in order to ensure the teaching and research of the school/department are met, both now and in the future
• Manage the stock control/purchasing system, ensuring that College financial procedures are adhered to, liaising and negotiating with internal and external suppliers etc
• Keep abreast of technical developments relevant to own area of responsibility and provide ad hoc technical advice and support

And/Or

Technical Specialist

• Make a significant contribution to the development of teaching, course design and/or research, in the designing of apparatus /equipment or usage/application of specialist machines/equipment or the development of new techniques.
• May be operating at a very high specialist level
• Conceive, initiate and develop ideas, approaches and techniques
• Promote and deliver innovative solutions
• May present research methodologies and findings and contribute to publications

 Knowledge, skills & experience

• University Degree or equivalent, plus significant work experience, some of which must be in a relevant technical/scientific role or extensive work experience in a relevant technical or scientific role
• If the role is management/supervisory, then experience in managing/supervising staff is essential
• Experienced technical professional with substantial technical expertise in own scientific or technical specialism.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving capability
• Ability to communicate clearly on technical issues to a range of audiences
• Thorough understanding of Health & Safety regulations and procedures
• Excellent technical problem solving skills (technical specialists may be one of few able to provide solutions in a specialised field operating at a high level of competency)
• High level planning and organising skills
• Ability to persuade, motivate, lead and delegate
• Well developed understanding of funding and financial management procedures
• Member of the appropriate professional body

Performance criteria

Evidence of:

• Completion of work to agreed specification, time, cost and quality standards
• Performance of team against objectives
• Leadership
• Effective use of people and resources
• Development of potential in others
• Team development
• Compliance with Health & Safety/other regulations and practices
• Quality of technical support provided, e.g. from feedback from staff/students/others
• Technical problem resolution
• Implementation of department/College policy
• Quality of innovative contribution

Summary

Role holders at this level have recognised technical expertise. They may have supervisory responsibility for a technical service or team, where the primary focus will be on planning, overseeing and reviewing the work of the team and/or will operate as individual technical advisers, supporting teaching or research activity through the provision of specialist support activity.

Representative work activities

Supervision

Responsible for the provision of a technical service through the day-to-day organisation and technical supervision of a section, medium sized work area/workshop/laboratory or a research group which involves:

• The allocation of work and responsibilities to junior members of staff
• Ensuring work is carried out and performed to the required standard, taking the necessary follow-up measures to ensure effective performance
• The control of workplace practices and conduct in own area, ensuring compliance with legal and health & safety standards
• Under the direction of a senior staff member, monitoring the budgets of the department/work area/research area/grant, making sure it operates effectively within budget constraints and maintaining appropriate financial records e.g. expenditure, purchasing, equipment
• Contributing to the recruitment, training and development of own technical team
• Involvement in staff appraisal process
• Training students, academic staff and junior technicians in the use of equipment and techniques within own area of expertise
• Maintaining stocks of equipment and consumables with pre-set level of expenditure, dealing with suppliers
• Ensuring the security of buildings/plant/machinery in own area
• Advising on future physical resource requirements within own area – general/specific equipment, apparatus, space etc
• Liaison and communication with other sections and departments as well as outside bodies
• Contributing to developments in policies/procedures/plans in own work area
• Advising and assisting staff and/or students on all aspects of technical support services, either personally or through delegation to appropriate team member

And/Or

• Be responsible for the technical organisation and/or operation of advanced scientific/technical work requiring specialist skills, techniques and knowledge
• Act as a recognised source of technical expertise in own area of technical skill/expertise through the effective utilisation and application of substantial skill and experience
• Contribute original ideas and innovative solutions through the provision of specialist know-how and advice as appropriate
• Assist in the interpretation of results, providing quantitative and qualitative analysis, advising staff and students of the application, techniques and use of the laboratory equipment
• Work with novel techniques and/or procedures, typically in support of research activity
• Contribute to the development of teaching, course content and/or research, in the designing of apparatus/equipment or usage of specialist machines/equipment or the development of new techniques
• Contribute to publications
• Engage in external consultancy advising on the development and application of specialist techniques and/or procedures and the analysis and interpretation of results

Knowledge, skills & experience

• BTEC Higher plus significant work experience, some of which must be in a relevant technical/scientific role or extensive work experience in a relevant technical or scientific role
• Requirement to understand, conceptualise and interpret the requirements of staff and students
• Developed understanding, through both qualifications and experience of the scientific/technical theory
• Thorough understanding of Health & Safety regulations and procedures
• Well developed analytical and technical problem solving skills
• Supervisory, planning and organising skills
• Budgetary monitoring skills

Performance criteria

Evidence of:

• Completion of work to agreed time and quality standards
• Compliance with Health & Safety/other regulations and practices
• Quality of technical support provided, e.g. from feedback from staff/students/others
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Responsiveness to new ideas and approaches
• Ability to plan/organise
• Effective delegation as appropriate
• Focusing on priority issues within departmental aims and objectives

Summary

Roles at this level display an in-depth knowledge of technical or scientific practices, methods and procedures gained through either experience and/or formal qualification and apply this knowledge to provide a range of technical support activities.

Representative work activities

• Carry out a range of specialist technical support tasks to time and quality standards
• Plan and oversee the day-to-day technical running of a work area/laboratory/research project, allocating resources and providing technical supervision of junior technical staff and/or students in order to ensure work objectives are met
• Set and monitor technical standards in own area of work
• Ensure accurate completion of documentation, records and reports
• May be involved in the preparation of work rotas and activity scheduling in own work area for routine tasks
• Advise and assist staff and students in the development, design, preparation, construction, assembly and application of equipment, the setting up of experiments and/or deployment of particular techniques
• Contribute to the development of new or improved methods/techniques/equipment
• Adapt and refine work practices and procedures in own area
• Ensure that equipment/apparatus etc in own area is maintained, serviced and repaired as required
• Diagnose and rectify faults/problems with equipment and procedures
• Monitor and maintain a safe working environment in accordance to Health & Safety procedures
• Provide guidance and support to junior colleagues/students in own area, in the use of basic equipment and techniques
• May demonstrate equipment and processes to students
• Ensure maintenance of current and future stock requirements of equipment and consumables for own work area (usually within pre-set limits)
• Advise on the pricing and purchasing of equipment/apparatus/software, following consultation with other appropriate staff members
• Carry out complex quantitative and qualitative analyses and contribute to the interpretation of the results
• Utilise technical knowledge and experience in own area to conceptualise and interpret the requirements of the “customer”
• Communicate and liaise with the wider university body as well as users of the university services and/or external consultants/suppliers (usually through clearly defined/routine liaison e.g. regular suppliers contractors)
• Demonstrate depth or breadth of knowledge in a particular area of technical expertise and be recognised as a technical expert in this area

Knowledge, skills & experience

• Minimum of 2 A Levels in relevant subject, or equivalent vocational qualifications plus work experience, some of which must be in a relevant technical/scientific role or the equivalent work experience in a relevant technical or scientific role
• Well developed analytical and problem solving capability
• Communication and interpretative skills to enable the identification, understanding and realisation of staff/student requirements
• Well developed understanding of regulations and procedures, (including Home Office, Health & Safety) and the implications of non-compliance on self and other staff
• Planning and organising skills

Performance criteria

Evidence of:

• Completion of work to agreed time and quality standards
• Ability to organise own and others activities to meet deadlines
• Good time management
• Ability to cope readily with routine matters
• Application of appropriate solutions
• Compliance with Health & Safety/other regulations and practices
• Quality of technical support provided, e.g. from staff and/or students
• Technical problem resolution
• Quality and timeliness of advice and recommendations
• Effective transfer of skills and knowledge to junior colleagues, other staff and students
• A proactive approach within the scope of the role
• Coaching and encouraging others
• Development of a specialist skill through an increase in the technical/scientific level of knowledge and experience and operating at a level which is non-routine

Work examples may include

• Understanding and implementation of legislation e.g. Home Office regulations; copyright law, radio frequency licensing, HSE etc
• Setting up and advising on the technical requirements for advanced research work
• Discussing and evaluating issues of application and performance of various types of equipment and/or techniques
• Instruction in the use of techniques within own area
• Preparation of data sets for further analysis and later publication

Summary

Roles at this level require specific technical or practical skills and a well developed working knowledge of technical or scientific practices and procedures acquired by experience on-the-job and/or through vocational training. Work will involve the application of skills and knowledge to provide a range of technical support activities. Work activities will typically follow an established working pattern. Supervision is in the form of general guidance on routine work.

Representative work activities

• Carry out a range of tasks to time and quality requirements, working within established routines or procedures, but with minimal direct supervision
• Prepare and carry out straightforward tests/experiments using basic equipment
• Record test results and present findings accurately
• May be responsible for the day-to-day and routine maintenance of a particular piece of straightforward equipment
• Is typically involved in the development, testing and construction of new equipment and/or techniques
• Work within agreed requirements to meet work unit demands, referring to more senior colleagues for prioritising and scheduling of non-standard work
• Resolve routine work problems independently, referring more complex problems to senior colleagues
• May provide guidance and support to junior colleagues/students in own area, in the use of basic equipment and techniques
• Assist students and/or staff in the preparation and use of equipment and techniques and advise on any specific aspects of work within own area
• Monitor and replenish levels of stocks/stores of basic equipment and supplies and ensure that equipment, consumables and work area are ready to use when required
• Carry out basic equipment maintenance
• Clean and tidy the workshop/laboratory/work environment
• Comply with Health & Safety procedures affecting self and others
• Continue to develop technical skills and ability in own area

Knowledge, skills & experience

• 2 A-levels in relevant subjects, or equivalent vocational qualifications, plus work experience, preferably in a relevant technical/scientific role or the equivalent work experience in a relevant technical or scientific role
• Written and verbal communication skills
• Manual dexterity will be required in most roles
• Well developed understanding of Health & Safety regulations and procedures
• Ability to understand and address non-routine work
• Expected to be competent in undertaking a range of technical support activities without constant guidance

Performance criteria

Evidence of: 

• Completion of work according to schedule
• Accuracy/precision
• Initiative/resourcefulness
• Good standards of written documentation
• Work scheduling and prioritising
• Effectiveness of demonstrating basic processes and techniques
• Following agreed methods
• General application to work
• Flexibility
• Consistency
• Observance of Health & Safety/other regulations and practices
• Dependability/reliability
• A positive attitude to work
• Tidiness/organisation
• Positive feedback from staff and/or students
• Routine problem resolution
• Continuing development of technical skills and ability in own area 

Work examples may include

• Set up and operation of basic/simple experimental systems, research apparatus, equipment
• Setting out routine equipment/kit for laboratory teaching and experiments or research project
• Basic repair and maintenance of equipment
• Installing and reinstalling equipment/standard software packages
• Input to the development, manufacture and construction of specialised equipment
• Contributing to the preparation of special materials
• Support clinical/laboratory/field activity
• Demonstrating to junior staff/students, the procedures and operation of basic equipment/deployment of techniques in own work area
• Reprographic work
• Maintenance of the environmental conditions in glasshouses/growth rooms

Summary

Roles at this level work as part of a team to provide a scientific and/or technical support to staff, students and more senior colleagues working on straightforward tasks within well-established routines and procedures and under regular, direct supervision and sometimes while undergoing formal training.

Representative work activities

• Work to well established simple routines under regular direct supervision, with tasks and work priorities being allocated to job holders by a supervisor/manager or senior colleague
• Perform routine straightforward tasks to appropriate time and quality requirements, following a simple oral and/or written instructions
• Basic equipment operation
• Carry out basic equipment maintenance
• Clean and tidy the workshop/laboratory/work environment
• Transport goods and equipment
• Replenish stocks of consumables, stores of basic equipment, etc., following set stock control procedures, in order to ensure there are always adequate supplies available to meet work requirements
• Provide general support activities in own work area, by assisting senior colleagues
• Carry out routine record keeping, filing
• Identify problems or difficulties and communicate these to a supervisor/manager
• Comply with relevant Health & Safety procedures affecting self and others
• The focus of jobs at this level is often on discovery and developing aptitude and capabilities through academic study and/or learning on the job from senior/more experienced colleagues and through exposure to an increasingly wider range of activities as knowledge, skill and experience develops

 Knowledge, skills & experience

• Minimum of a good standard of education evidenced by up to 5 GCSEs (grade C and above) or equivalent, demonstrating numeracy and literacy, with potential for further study where appropriate or practical work experience, preferably in a relevant technical/scientific role
• Written and verbal communication skills
• Manual dexterity will be required in most roles
• Basic understanding of Health & Safety regulations and procedures
• Understanding of/interest in the basic principles of the relevant scientific or technical discipline

Performance criteria

Evidence of:  

• Completion of work on time as directed
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• General application to work
• Consistency
• Dependability/reliability
• Flexibility e.g. changing tasks
• Tidiness/organisation
• A positive attitude towards work
• Observance of Health & Safety/other regulations and practices
• Positive feedback from staff and/or students
• Responsiveness to training/education

Work examples may include

• Making up simple reagents/solutions
• Cleaning and feeding animals
• Manufacturing of samples (under supervision)
• Learning how to use basic equipment and/or techniques
• Booking goods in and out of stores
• Basic data inputting
• Keeping workshops/ labs tidy in general
• Watering and weeding in glasshouses and growth rooms
• Routine reprographic work