Roles and Responsibilities for JAC Technician Levels

1 Introduction

This document augments the agreed technician job descriptions but does not supersede them. It is intended to show the expected level of performance associated with the three technician levels within the JAC's progression scheme. It also proposes criteria for consideration of promotion within these levels, that are objective and quantifiable based on experience and value to the observatory rather than on a time in post basis. The key criteria for determination of the applicable level are level of supervision required and responsibility carried by the individual over a sustained period.

2 Technician Levels

2.1 Junior Technician

The Junior Grade is a special transitory level allowing the recruitment of newly qualified technicians with limited or no experience at an entry-level grade.

Job Title

Status

Criteria for Promotion to Next Level

Junior Technician

This grade is a transitory grade for newly hired staff with good academic qualifications but little or no experience.

It is seen as a training and mentoring grade and it is expected that staff will be promoted to Technician Level I upon completion of training and demonstration of the correct qualities for the job.

Assimilation of training and mentoring for support activities.

Significantly reduced supervision.

Proven ability to work at the next level.

2.2 Technician Levels I, II and III

Levels I, II and III are the ‘standard’ RCUH level for technicians

Level	Status	Criteria for Promotion to Next Level
I	Entry level for experienced technicians.	Assimilation of training and mentoring for support activities. Significantly reduced supervision. Proven ability to work at the next level. Good time management. Delegated authority on budgets.
II	This level should be viewed as the standard technician level within the JAC.	Little or no Supervision required. Proven ability to work at the next level. Ability and desire to take on more responsibility. Limited supervisory work. Proactive and displays initiative. Deputizing for their Supervisor in periods of absence. Demonstrated operational requirement for post at the next level.
III	A technician operating at this level has already demonstrated high performance over a sustained period of time.	This is the limit of promotion for technicians within the JAC. Possible advancement through professional training in an engineering discipline, and a clear operational need for a post at this level.

3 Skill Sets for the Mechanical Technician Levels

The following table establishes the skill set attributed with satisfactory performance for the technician levels. This should not be seen as cast in concrete, exhaustive or exclusive to a particular level. Technicians should always perform and be encouraged to perform to the level of their ability and experience. Further it is expected that Technicians of higher level already have the skill set of those of the lower Technician Levels and are expected to perform the functions of those levels when required to do so.

Level	Supervision Required	Desirable Attributes	Responsibilities	Communication	Experience
Junior	High	Willingness to learn	Low level	Good verbal communication	Associate degree in Machine Shop
		Able to take/follow instructions.	Progressive assumption of Level I responsibilities		0-2 years technician experience
					Basic machine shop skills

I	Medium	Reliable, self motivated	Fault finding	Good verbal communication	Associate degree in Machine Shop Technology or equivalent experience
			Perform planned maintenance		Precision machine shop skills
			Daily instrumentation support functions.		Manufacture to engineering drawings
					Cryogenic and Vacuum skills

II	Low	Seeks responsibility	Limited Budgetary authority	Numeric and written skills	As Level I plus:
		Versatility	Fault diagnosis/solving		Development of equipment from limited design input.
			Servicing and maintenance of facility instrumentation		Forklift, crane and slinging
			Supervise summit daily work in role of work leader		Detailed knowledge of facility instrumentation
			Troubleshooting problems in regular activities
			Mentoring of junior technicians

III	None	Proactive	Budgetary planning	Use of email, JAC web pages MS Word	As Level II plus:
		Ability to see the ‘big picture’.	Supervisory - training and mentoring	Contribute as required to JAC Meetings (e.g. ETS scheduling meeting)	Management of technicians on small to medium-sized teams
		Lead by example	Planning, prioritizing, scheduling projects and resourcing
			Trouble shooting major faults.
			Development of Maintenance and repair schemes
			Lead installation of structural and mechanical sub-systems
			Act as relief facility maintenance manager

4 Skill Sets for the Electronic/Electrical Technician Levels

Level	Supervision Required	Desirable Attributes	Responsibilities	Communication	Experience
Junior	High	Willingness to learn	Low level	Good verbal communication	Associate degree in Electronics
		Able to take/follow instructions	Progressive assumption of Level I responsibilities		Up to 1 year technician experience
					Knowledge of electronics fundamentals
					Basic fabrication, troubleshooting, repair skills

I	Medium	Reliable, self motivated	Support testing, troubleshooting, repair, modification, upgrade of electronics/electrical/ instrumentation systems	Good verbal communication	Associate degree in Electronics and minimum 2 years electronic, electrical, and/or instrumentation maintenance experience
			Instrument and project engineering support	Good PC computing skills	Solid understanding of electronics/electrical concepts for maintenance, troubleshooting, repair
			Daily instrumentation support functions		Manufacture to engineering drawings
			Perform planned routine maintenance		Basic cryogenic and vacuum skills
			Maintain laboratory facilities

II	Low	Seeks responsibility	As Level I with the ability to work unsupervised after initial direction and/or planning input	Good verbal, and written skills	Minimum 2 years experience at Level I plus:
		Versatility	Supervise summit daily work in role of work leader	Good PC and MS Word/Excel skills	Detailed knowledge of facility electronics, electrical, instrumentation systems
			Limited budgetary authority	Basic CAD skills	Limited ability to use computing/software for testing of telescope and instrumentation systems
			Training of junior technicians	Limited interaction with software and science staff	Competent with cryogenic and vacuum systems
					Development of equipment from limited design input

III	None	Proactive	As Level II with the ability to complete tasks and address problems with little or no supervision	As Level II plus:	Minimum 2 years experience at Level II plus:
		Ability to see the ‘big picture’	Planning, prioritizing, scheduling, and resourcing for tasks	Good CAD skills	Expertise in several facility electronics, electrical, and/or instrumentation systems
		Lead by example	Trouble-shooting major faults	Frequent interaction with software and science staff	Competent in use of computing/software for testing of telescope and instrumentation systems
			Development of maintenance and repair schemes	Contribute as required to JAC Meetings (e.g. ETS scheduling meeting)	Highly skilled with cryogenic and vacuum systems
			Lead installation of electronic, electrical, and/or instrumentation sub-systems		Management of technicians on small to medium-sized teams
			Budgetary planning
			Training and mentoring of other technicians