Technical Support Assistant

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Job Summary
1. Give a short summary of the duties and responsibilities of your job.

The Technical Support Assistant provides assistance in various areas that are crucial to the smooth operation of the department. The responsibilities of the incumbent pertain to providing technical assistance with instrumentation, electronics, Chemistry Stores, and the overall chemistry facilities. In order to perform these tasks, the incumbent must be physically fit and be able to lift up to 50 lbs. A brief summary of the specific details of this job are listed below:
Instrumentation & Electronics
- Assist the Instrumentation Technologist and the Electronics Technologist with the digital ticketing and prioritization of service requests in the Department.
- Assist the Instrumentation Technologist and Electronics Technologist with preventative maintenance, testing, troubleshooting, and simple calibration and repair for a wide range of research and teaching equipment within the department (e.g. electronic calibration of balances in first year labs, troubleshooting equipment interfaces, etc.).

Chemistry Stores
- Provide secondary support for the service window of the stores facility in coordination with the Stores Operations Assistant. This involves providing goods from stores to customers in a timely and courteous manner, including cylinders and palette assistance.
- Assist with receiving goods at the loading bay and entering goods into inventory.
- Train and supervise work study and casual workers on the Chemistry Stores operations.

**Overall Chemistry Facilities**:

- Assist with ChemShop monthly billings by compiling receipts, reconciling expenses, and collaborating with the Finance Assistant to ensure accurate and timely billing.
- Request and coordinate building infrastructure work orders (e.g., water leaks, floor tiles, workspace etc.). Identify general issues related to the building infrastructure and send requests to PPS to initiate repairs.
- Assist with decommissioning of lab space and clean-ups of labs and/or offices for new occupants. This includes proper disposal of e-waste, used furniture, and old lab equipment.
- Monitor eye wash stations, safety showers, and fire extinguishers according to the schedule outlined by Environmental Health & Safety.
- Liaise with Facilities related to ongoing departmental renovations and site visits.
- Monitor hazardous waste removal from teaching and research labs, and coordinate any outstanding picks up or disposals with Environmental Health & Safety
- Liaise with the equipment service provider on operational issues required repairs.
- Provide safety orientation training to new faculty and staff members on the chemical facilities.

**Job Description**:
2. To fulfil your duties what knowledge, skills and specialized techniques are required? How would each be normally acquired? How long would it take to become proficient in each of the areas of your work?

High school diploma, knowledge of health and safety practices and biohazardous materials, and related safety certifications or training (e.g., WHIMIS, First Aid & CPR, and department and lab safety training), or equivalent on-the-job experience. Proficiency would require 1-2 years on the job.
- A basic knowledge of cleaning procedures and handling criteria for chemicals and solvents.
- Complete awareness of the university waste disposal guidelines for chemicals, biohazardous materials and sharps.
- Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, vendors, and couriers.
- Strong organizational and time management skills in order to effectively deal with continuous competing priorities.
- Broad knowledge of safe work practices to comply with regulations set out under the Occupational Health & Safety Act, the University’s purchasing policies and procedures, and government safety regulations.

3. Is it necessary in this position to oversee the work, or to instruct other staff? If so, what does this involve?

This position does not oversee the work of other staff. The incumbent provides technical assistance and training to staff, faculty, and students on the safe use of equipment within the department.

4. What other people must you deal with in this job and why? (i.e. is there direct contact with students, teaching staff, other departments, and people outside the university community).

The incumbent works with faculty members, students, departmental technicians, PPS technicians, Environmental Health and Safety staff, and equipment service providers.

It is necessary to work closely