HEW 6 Position Title Reports to Organisational Unit Position Statement/Purpose Organisational Context and Relationships Location/Campus Senior Technical Officer Technical Manager Office of Professional Services The overall purpose of the Senior Technical Officer is to maintain and coordinate the laboratory facilities of the Centre for Environmental Safety and Risk Engineering (CESARE) at the Werribee Campus and its field testing sites, as well as to ensure ready access of these facilities by postgraduate students and staff. Within the University the position: works closely with the Director, Centre for Environmental Safety and Risk Engineering (CESARE) also works closely with staff of the College is managed by the Technical Manager supervises casual laboratory staff Outside the University the position liaises with external stakeholders The position is currently located at the Werribee Campus of the University but may require attendance at CESARE s field testing sites. The position and incumbent may be relocated to any other existing or future University work locations where it conducts its operations. Position Number 905718 POSITION DESCRIPTION Typical Activities/Indicative Tasks Provide high-level organisational and administrative support for the CESARE laboratory facilities at the Werribee Campus and its field testing sites to ensure the provision of all necessary resources for the effective conduct of laboratory and consulting activities for all of the CESARE s research. Lead and supervise casual laboratory staff and ensure they are adequately trained for their jobs to provide the required service. Assist staff and students to adhere to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards on the laboratories at all times and liaise with other staff having OHS responsibilities in the College of Engineering and Science (CES) and elsewhere in the University. Set up and maintain OHS systems in accordance with the Government and University guidelines 1
POSITION DESCRIPTION and providing staff and student safety inductions as required. Assist the Technical Manager in managing the CESARE laboratory facilities at the Werribee Campus and its field testing sites to ensure the provision of all necessary resources for the effective conduct of laboratory activities for all of CESARE s research. Ensure operational state-of-the-art equipment, such as CESARE s ISO room, large-scale furnaces and calorimeter is maintained so that it is readily available for research projects. Provide advice on technology trends and experimental measurement systems relating to the future development of CESARE, by attending workshops, trade displays and conferences, as required and approved by the Director of CESARE. Liaise with technical officers in other research groups worldwide and disseminate technical information and related advice within CESARE and the wider University community. Provide project support as and when required. Represent CESARE as its OHS manager. Scope of the Role Requires extensive knowledge and experience in construction, fire research, electronics data acquisition systems and components. Provide relevant and appropriate technical advice to staff and research students on how to address experimental problems. Establish and maintain an inventory of all CESARE equipment, which identifies the current status to ensure availability for laboratory activities. Become familiar with the breadth of Centre/College rules, regulations, policies and processes and work within those. Where relevant, liaise effectively with organisational units and staff beyond the immediate unit to gather information, keep informed and contribute to the requirements of the organisational unit. Communicate and liaise with internal and external stakeholders on current and future research projects. Work collaboratively with academic and other staff within CESARE and the CES to facilitate usage of the laboratory facilities. Level of Supervision Operates under broad direction from the Technical Manager and may have extensive supervisory and line management responsibility for technical, clerical, administrative and other non-professional staff. Judgement, Independence and Problem Solving Display initiative and exercise judgement in the provision of high-level administrative and technical support services to support the achievement of CESARE and CES portfolio goals. Refer more complex issues to the Technical Manager for advice or decision. Develop, review and trial procedures for operating the equipment within CESARE using theoretical principles in modifying or adapting techniques to solve problems as they occur. Negotiate costs, design, select and purchase or recommend for purchase, equipment or consumables as required, within the budgetary framework, and purchasing guidelines established for the position. 2
POSITION DESCRIPTION Operate within and implement University policies, procedures and guidelines. Works collaboratively with the Technical Manager, as well as staff and students. Proactively resolves issues (within clearly specified parameters) within the area of operation. Work with staff members that are involved with consultancies to assist in quotes, methodology and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Responsibilities Provide technical assistance to research students and academic staff, particularly for measurement, instrumentation and electronics problems, for the research and consultancy activities within CESARE. Interact with research and technical staff and students in performing research and experimentation. Participates in the communication process between academic and support staff to ascertain resource requirements, including utilisation of space, to enable orderly conduct of research activities. Be responsible for quality and consistency of technical advice provided to students and staff. Be responsible for completing work within specified timelines. Be responsible for following University policies and procedures relevant to their role. Be responsible for identifying issues and contributing to/implementing improvements in policies, procedures and practices in areas relevant to their role. Be responsible for achievement of position objectives. Comply with all University governance and relevant legislative requirements. Share VU commitment to Equity and Diversity, Health and Safety, VU Values and Behaviours and display these in all aspects of day-to-day work. Professional and Organisational Knowledge Demonstrate extensive knowledge, skills and/or experience in a laboratory setting. Develop knowledge and understanding of policies, regulations and procedures of relevant University and government departments relating to their area of responsibility, including OHS requirements and responsibility. Demonstrate knowledge of computers within a laboratory setting and experience of MS Office Suite including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access and Outlook. Become familiar with data acquisition software such as DataTaker and Agilent. Demonstrate aptitude or ability to work with relevant University systems and databases. Maintain awareness of quality assurance policies and procedures and other relevant legislative requirements. Interpersonal Skills Well-developed interpersonal and written and oral communication skills and the ability to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Ability to work co-operatively, to accomplish joint tasks and build positive working relationships. Ability to work independently. Ability to work with minimal supervision. Effective client management skills, including the application of initiative and problem solving skills. 3
POSITION DESCRIPTION High levels of integrity, commitment and judgement, including the ability to deal with sensitive and highly confidential information. Qualifications and/or Equivalence I. A degree with subsequent relevant experience; or II. Extensive experience and specialist expertise; or III. Broad knowledge in technical or administrative fields; or IV. An equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training. An Organisational Chart is attached. 4
SELECTION CRITERIA Essential: 1. Knowledge or Training Equivalent to: Completion of a degree with subsequent relevant experience; or extensive experience and specialist expertise; or broad knowledge in technical or administrative fields, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training. 2. Experience in industrial and/or tertiary institution research facilities and have ability to fabricate and weld test rigs and other setups to facilitate experimental data collection. 3. An excellent understanding of safety issues associated with the operation of fire safety and other engineering research equipment. 4. Proficiency in all aspects of word processing, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access and Outlook, together with the skill base to quickly gain a working knowledge of any University based online system, including experience with computers in the laboratory. 5. Demonstrated ability to lead a team and to work cooperatively and effectively as part of a team with the capacity to work independently with minimal supervision. 6. Demonstrated ability in the exercise of initiative, judgement and decision making, as well as the ability to problem solve including an ability to innovate and work creatively by modifying and adapting techniques. 7. Well-developed verbal and written communication skills and the ability to deal with complex issues with sensitivity and confidentiality. 8. Well-developed interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact effectively with a diverse range of staff and students in a University environment in order to meet the position objectives. 9. Demonstrated capacity to understand and comply with employer policy and practices in all aspects of work and conduct, including OHS and Anti-Discrimination responsibilities and complete/attend relevant training. 10. Willingness to commit to the VU Values and Behaviours: Values - Access, Excellence, Respect Behaviours - Engagement, Collegiality, Courage 5
Desirable: 1. Well-developed skills and currency in fire safety engineering research, particularly in furnace testing, enclosure fire behaviour testing, cone calorimetry, ISO room testing and calorimetry, measurement of high temperatures, heat radiation and other relevant experimental data. 2. Experience in the construction and operation of room fire testing and oxygen calorimetry equipment. 3. Understanding of and willingness to comply with quality assurance policies and procedures and other relevant legislative and policy requirements applicable to the University. 4. Completed first-aid course. People and Culture Use Only: DATE POSITION UPDATED 5/08/2015 DATE POSITION CLASSIFIED 10/07/2013 6
Organisational Chart Director, Professional Services x 1 Asset Control Manager x 1 Asset Control Officer x 1 Administrative Coordinator x 1 Senior Administrator x 1 Senior Executive Advisory Services Team Leader x 1 Senior Executive Officer x 1 Advisory Officers Technical Services Team Leader x 1 Executive Officers Deputy Vice-Chancellor and PVC (Engagement) x 1 Provost and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Research Training) x 1 Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer x 1 Vice-Chancellor s Office Receptionist Vice-Chancellor s Office x 1 Senior Advisory Services Officers x 3 Senior Advisory Officers x 2 Advisory Officer x 1 Advisory Services Officer x 1 City King Campus Technician x 0.5 Footscray Nicholson Campus Technician (Music) x 1 Footscray Park Campus Technical Managers x 4 Senior Technical Officers x 6 Technical Officers x 4 Technicians x 4 St Albans Campus Technical Managers x 3 Senior Technical Officers x 2 Technical Officers x 6.5 Technicians x 5 Sunshine Campus Technical Officers x 1.8 Technician x 0.6 Werribee Campus Technical Manager x 1 * Senior Technical Officer x 1 Technical Officers x 2 Technicians x 1.8 Campus Administrative Support Officers City Campuses Footscray Nicholson Campus (Includes Ashley Street and Whitten Oval) Footscray Park Campus St Albans Campus (Includes Western CHRE) Sunshine Campus Werribee Campus Total: 7.0FTE College of Arts Senior College of Business Senior College of Education Senior Administrative Officer (Offshore Programs) x 0.6 College of Engineering and Science Senior College of Health and Biomedicine Senior College of Law and Justice Senior College of Sport and Exercise Science Senior Victoria University Institute of Technology Senior Administrative Coordinator x 1 Senior Administrative Officers x 16.1 VU English Administrative Officers x 3 Research Institutes/Centres Centre for Applied Informatics (CAI) Administrative Officer x 0.5 Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management (CCDPM) Centre for Environmental Safety and Risk Engineering (CESARE) Senior Administrative Officer x 0.5 Centre for Cultural Diversity and Wellbeing (CCDW) Senior Administrative Officer x 0.8 Institute for Sport, Exercise and Acting Living (ISEAL) Institute for Supply Chain and Logistics (ISCL) Senior Institute for Sustainability and Innovation (ISI) Senior Sir Zelman Cowen Centre (SZCC) Senior Legal Projects Officer x 1 Administrative Assistant x 1 The Victoria Institute Institute Officer x 1 Victoria Institute for Strategic Economic Studies (VISES) Senior Corporate Services Administrative and Records Officer x 1 Administrative Officers x 9.5 Administrative Support Officer (Facilities) x 1 Executive Assistants x 9.8 Facilities Services Coordinator x 1 Paralegal Secretary x 0.8 Senior Administrative Officers x 7.82 Senior Early University Pathways Project * Denotes Position