Senior Structural Fire Testing Technician

This is a full-time 5-year fixed-term contract at a HEP9 level, $119,925 to $124,115, plus 17% superannuation, working 38 hours per week.

The position is located at the Werribee West Campus.

About the role

The overall purpose of the Senior Structural Fire Testing Technician is to maintain, coordinate and carry out technical duties related to the NATA Fire laboratory facilities at the Werribee Campus within the Institute of Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities (ISILC), VU Research.

The position requires  testing, sample preparation and delivery/collection of samples and preparation of test reports. Candidates should ideally have gained considerable experience in construction material testing either with a commercial test house or contractor.

About the person

Applicant would come from a materials testing laboratory background either educational or private sector. Applicant would need to have trade skills, excellent communication and project management skills. Applicant would need to be hardworking, ambitious and have excellent skills in understanding testing standards. 

Duties

Manage and provide high-level organisational, technical, and administrative support for the NATA Structural Fire Testing Facilities at the Werribee Campus. This requires carrying out all related duties to maintain and upkeep accreditation in accordance to NATA rules and guidelines, for example, equipment calibration and management audits.  This is to ensure the provision of all necessary resources for the effective conduct of laboratory and consulting activities whilst maintaining compliance with ISO17025:General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.

• Develop inhouse NATA accredited laboratory procedures for specialised testing not available by current national or international standards.
• Carry out duties including unloading test specimens from transport, setting up fire tests, conducting and recording test results and test clean-up duties. Additional duties include crane and forklift operation, manual handling tasks, cleaning, inventory and repairs and assessment of equipment.
• Carry out concrete coring, grinding, and cutting to test specimens for moisture content and compressive strength.
• Carry out 3D point cloud scanning of specimens and post analyse data to determine section loss.
• Perform metal work, carpentry, concrete work, and other trade like work to carry out laboratory duties related to testing.
• Lead, supervise and work alongside with casual laboratory staff and ensure they are adequately trained for their jobs to provide the required service.
• Assist staff and students to adhere to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards on the laboratories at all times and liaise with other staff having OHS responsibilities in the Fire Safety Research group, and elsewhere in the University.
• Set up and maintain OHS systems in accordance with the Government and University guidelines and providing staff and student safety inductions as required.
• Ensure operational state-of-the-art equipment, such as Fire Research laboratories’ large-scale furnaces, biaxial and tunnel segment test rigs, and material testing equipment are maintained so that they are readily available for research projects.
• Provide advice on technology trends and experimental measurement systems relating to the future development of Fire Safety Research Group, by attending workshops, trade displays and conferences, as required and approved by the line manager.
• Liaise with technical staff and other research groups worldwide to disseminate technical information and related advice within Fire Safety Research Group, and the wider University community.
• Provide project support as and when required.
• Represent the Fire Safety Research Group as its OHS representative if elected.

Benefits

• Salary sacrifice options
• Professional development opportunities
• Flexible working arrangements available
• Paid study leave
• On-site gym and fitness centre and more!

How to apply

For a position description and to submit an application, visit our website: https://fa-ercy-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1

Applications must include:

• A cover letter;
• Your curriculum vitae/resume;
• Responses to the Key Selection Criteria listed in the Positon Description; and/or
• Evidence of applicable qualifications, licences and registrations.

For further information relating to the position or recruitment process, please contact Maxim Zervos, Recruiter by email at maxim.zervos@vu.edu.au.

Applications close at 11:59 pm on Tuesday the 21st of March, 2023.