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**: 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 primary role of the Technical Specialist is to perform the duties of a Scientific Glassblower in the fully equipped Glassblowing Shop located in the Physics Building in the Department of Chemistry. The role will use glassblowing shop tools, machines and equipment to design, create, build, modify, and repair scientific glassware for the Chemistry Department and across campus that is used for both teaching and research efforts at Western, and occasionally at other Universities. The secondary role of the Technical Specialist is to provide back up for the Chemistry Electronics Shop, including (but not limited to) fixing vacuum pumps, machining small parts in the Electronics Shop machine shop, ordering parts and supplies, monthly billing, and assisting with accounting processes. It is expected that the Technical Specialist will work 3 days per week in the Glassblowing Shop and 2 days per week in the Electronics Shop. This may be adjusted depending on workload. **Qualifications**: - Education: - 3 year Community College Diploma in Glass Craft and Design - Certificate in Glassblowing from a recognized College - Formal electronics education would be an asset (such as a Community College Diploma Electronics Engineering Technology) - Machining/Mechanical training would be an asset - 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 is 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 - Ability to collaborate across internal and external boundaries to meet common objectives, improve outcomes and support work beyond one's own unit - 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 - Detail-oriented with an ability to function and process information with high levels of accuracy - Ability to take responsibility for own work and ensure that deadlines are met, and outcomes are achieved - Excellent troubleshooting ability along with hands-on expertise in technical support - Ability to be forward thinking, anticipate possible errors, and take preventative measures - Personable and courteous in working relationships with colleagues, students, and the public **Union Statement**: **Western Values Diversity**: **Please Note**: We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.