Evening Technician

Overview

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As an Evening Workshop Technician, you will work closely with technical and academic colleagues to shape the delivery of practical hands-on learning experiences for students on our specialist programmes.

Description

The full-time starting salary is normally £28,287 per annum, with progression available in post to £32,006 per annum.

Grade: C

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

For almost two centuries, Birmingham City University has shaped thousands of lives. We have helped redefine a city, influenced the region, and impacted further afield. From our roots as the Birmingham Government School of Design, we have forged a formidable history.

As a teaching-intensive University, our courses are rooted in practice-based learning, and we provide wider support that sets our students up to succeed after graduation. While this is our core focus, we recognise the enduring importance of research and enterprise activity, which is acknowledged within our newly launched strategy, setting us on our path to 2030 and beyond.

Responsibilities

You will be supporting students in the production of high-quality outcomes and maintaining safe and efficient working environments in workshops, labs and studio spaces. There is a strong emphasis on supervising students and maintaining equipment. We are looking for candidates with knowledge in any of the following areas:

• Jewellery Making – craft, material experimentation, silversmithing, traditional bench skills, stone setting, laser welding and polishing
• Jewellery Machining – experience in maintaining or servicing a range of traditional workshop machinery
• Jewellery CAD/CAM – knowledge of digital design and digital making processes for jewellery and related object manufacture
• Jewellery Processes – knowledge of jewellery and object related hazardous processes such as plating, casting, enamelling. Knowledge of COSHH and related safety processes

The successful candidates will be expected to use good communication and organisational skills to manage their time and work closely with Senior Technicians and the Satellite Site Technical Manager to support the technical team in delivering a high-quality experience to students. A cooperative and flexible approach is essential and will require occasional weekend working at promotional events, open days, exhibitions and training events.

As an Evening Workshop Technician, you will be comfortable working within a team as well as on your own initiative. During term time, working hours are expected to be 12:30 to 20:00 and more flexible over winter, Easter and summer vacations. You will be expected to carry out the following tasks associated with the running of a facility of this kind:

• Routine maintaining and inspection of workshop equipment
• Ordering materials and recording material use and stock levels
• Championing sustainable working methods and use of resources
• Distribute equipment loans materials from stores
• Inspire workshop use for all students across our faculty
• Supervise students working in workshops and studios during evening opening hours
• Provide ad-hoc advice to students and staff on technical processes

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidates should be qualified to HND level in a relevant subject (or equivalent level combination of qualifications, skills and experience) and demonstrate practical experience of jewellery production. They should have good communication skills with an ability to impart technical knowledge to individuals, groups of students, colleagues and external organisations. Good IT skills including Microsoft Office, familiarity with Asset Management software and online communication tools are desirable.

Essential Experience

• Experience producing high-quality jewellery pieces using traditional bench skills and techniques
• Practical skills in cutting, forming, soldering, and joining precious and non-precious metals
• Confident in safely operating and maintaining specialist jewellery workshop machinery
• Skilled in applying finishing techniques such as filing, sanding, and polishing
• Basic understanding of press forming, stamping tools, and creating wax patterns for casting
• Able to advise and troubleshoot manufacturing processes to support students and staff
• Basic knowledge of 2D and 3D design
• Good understanding of workshop health and safety requirements, including safe storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous chemicals and materials

Desirable

• First Aid Certificate
• COSHH qualification
• IOSH/NEBOSH qualification
• Knowledge of stone setting processes
• Knowledge of digital manufacturing processes
• Knowledge of casting, plating and enamelling processes

Selection Process

Interviews will consist of a practical skills task and a formal question and answer interview. Candidates are encouraged to attend interviews with portfolios or physical samples of work relating to the role. For further information about the role, please contact: Courtney.Cornelius@bcu.ac.uk

Please click the below link to download the Job Description.

Additional Information

The appointed candidate will normally be employed through our subsidiary company BCU Support Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Birmingham City University. Appointees with prior LGPS membership who wish to enter the LGPS scheme will be able to do so, and will be employed by Birmingham City University directly.