Technical Specialist

**Classification & Regular Hours**: Hours per Week: 37.5 Salary Grade: Level P **About Western**: Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference. **About Us**: We seek to maintain and enhance the stature of our Department as one of the foremost research and teaching programs in the University and in Canada. We promote diversity through interdisciplinary programs of teaching and research while retaining a focus on excellence in all endeavors. We are dedicated to enhancing our academic leadership in research and teaching throughout the world by fostering concentration in selected areas. This mission is being fulfilled by effective recruiting at all levels from faculty and staff to undergraduate students. **Responsibilities**: The Technical Specialist (Scientific Glassblower/Electronics Shop) will assist with maintaining a state of research readiness by independently providing hands-on technical support and assistance in the operation of specialized equipment and instrumentation to support both the undergraduate teaching and the performance of research as part of the electronics shop, and to design and build unique glassware configurations in the glassblowing facility, which support ground-breaking research and teaching labs in the Department of Chemistry. The role provides direction to undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty and other stakeholders, and responds to inquiries of a highly technical nature related to specific research projects, undergraduate and graduate laboratories and courses. The Technical Specialist will repair, clean and troubleshoot hardware, equipment and instrumentation, and will design, enhance and modify parts, apparatus, hardware and/or equipment as necessary to facilitate the achievement of the research objectives. The role will assist with training and overseeing students to ensure the safe and effective use of equipment, and will ensure that compliance with safety standards is maintained. The role will work in the glassblowing facility 3 days per week and in the electronics shop 2 days per week. **Qualifications**: - Education: - 3 year Community College Diploma in Glass Craft and Design, Electronics Engineering Technology for relevant field - Certificate in Glassblowing from a recognized College **Experience**: - 4 years’ of technical experience with scientific glassblowing and with related materials, equipment and instrumentation - Experience in the design and fabrication (electronic and mechanical) of scientific instrumentation and supporting equipment - Experience assisting researchers and students with scientific glassware configurations in an academic environment preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: - Familiarity with preventative maintenance techniques and practices with the ability to work with combustible gasses in a safe manner, to maintain a clean work area and to provide guidance on the proper and safe use of materials and equipment - Knowledge of work order, purchasing and billing processes with the ability to maintain and inventory of materials, supplies, tools and equipment - Familiarity with blueprints and technical drawings with the ability to design, build and repair a wide variety of scientific glassware and to work with scientific glassware equipment (including a range of torches, lathe, annealing oven, cut off saws, lapping machine, other glass manipulating tools) - Working knowledge of machining, with the ability to use milling machines, lathe, drill press, both general and CNC, in plastics, metals and ceramics and of microcontrollers - Strong mechanical aptitude, manual dexterity and coordination - Communication skills to listen to the complete message, solicit more information as required, and provide feedback - Verbal and written communication skills to describe technical concepts effectively to both novice and sophisticated users - Ability to provide solutions and ideas for improvement by using imaginative approaches where constructive thinking and innovation are required - Customer service skills to understand customer needs and expectations, with a desire to deliver helpful and reliable service to the University community - Decision making skills to resolve complex technical issues - Detail-oriented with an ability to function and process information with high levels of accuracy - Ability and willingness to stay abreast of technological developments - Ability to take responsibility for own work and ensure that deadlines are met and outcomes are achieved - Excelle