Senior Laboratory Technician Science

** CORE PURPOSE OF JOB**: To facilitate teaching and research of Zoology under - and post graduate students and staff within the Zoology Department, by managing the technical aspects of the department including equipment, vehicles, boats, and animal husbandry. ** KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS**: - Provide technical and mechanical assistance to the Department with the operating, maintenance and servicing of equipment, and manufacturing or purchasing parts for equipment if not available. - Provide technical assistance to students and staff by designing and setting up experimental systems and equipment for terrestrial and aquatic projects. - Required to design and manufacture specific or specialized equipment for laboratory and field research. - Manage the maintenance and servicing of equipment regularly and, if faulty, order/obtain quotes for repairs or new installation of equipment on the financial ITS system. - Manage the liaison with external contractors and other service providers of the Zoology Department. - Manage the maintenance of boats and vehicles in the Zoology Department to comply with safety and operational standards. - Provide skippering of research vessels on estuaries and in the marine environment and maintain vessel accreditation and seaworthiness. - Manage research aquarium and maintain animal husbandry and animal ethics standards for marine and terrestrial projects. - Oversee fieldwork support for student projects and excursions. - Manage safety, health and environmental compliance in all areas of responsibilities of the Zoology Department for compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act of SA. - Monitor and control the expenditure, operating, and capital budgets of the laboratory and field equipment of the Department. - Management of technical and laboratory assistant staff to ensure effective teamwork in accordance with Departmental requirements and functionality. - Perform purchasing to meet operational needs in accordance with University policies and procedures. - Doing standby duty, and being contactable 24 hours, for breakdowns and malfunctioning equipment. CORE COMPETENCIES**- Knowledge and experience to manage the maintenance and basic repairs to vehicles, trailers, and boats; including outboard motors and boat trailers.- - Possess advanced technical knowledge to manage the use and repairs of field and laboratory equipment serving the Zoology research and teaching environment. - Possess good leadership and management skills.- - Knowledge and experience of animal husbandry and aquarium keeping. - Extensive boating knowledge and sea-going experience, with relevant qualifications (Category C, STCW95/10 Certification). - Working knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act as it applies to the NMU workspace. - Possess good knowledge of financial principles and practices working within administrative systems. - Good verbal and written communication skills. ** REQUIREMENTS**: - 1) Possess a B.Sc. Hons degree in Zoology/Animal Science (an M.Sc. degree would be advantageous). - 2) At least three years of relevant work experience in an academic or research environment in which competency has been gained in animal husbandry and live animal keeping systems. - 3) Category C boat skippers certification, registered through South African Maritime Safety Association with > 5 years of skippering experience, including surf launching of vessels. - 4) STCW95/10 Certification (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers). - 6) Possess four-wheel-drive, off-road driving experience, including vehicle recovery expertise. - **: **Contact Information**: For General information regarding employment at the NMU e.g. Benefits and/or Salary, please contact**:Human Resources - 041 504 2129 / 9963** For additional information regarding the post itself, please contact the person listed below.