Roles in this family provide technical and/or scientific support to research and teaching. They offer support to academic staff and students, for example by providing technical design and manufacturing services and giving technical advice, by setting up and operating equipment - including to support meetings and seminars, running analyses and tests. Working as part of a support team is a common feature, and at higher levels the roles involve either highly specialised expert advice and support or line responsibility for a substantial technical service group. Contacts with internal and external customers, and with external suppliers, are a feature.

Technical services job family levels and guidance

Level 5

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

Level 4

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

Level 3

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

Level 2

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

Level 1

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