Makerspace Technician

Staff - Non Union

Job Category: Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile: Non Union Salaried - Engineering Technician 3

Job Title: Makerspace Technician

Department: Institute for Computing, Information and Cognitive Systems | Faculty of Applied Science

Compensation Range: $6,088.24 - $6,966.27 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date: November 10, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date:

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

ICICS:

The Institute for Computing, Information, and Cognitive Systems (ICICS) is a multi-disciplinary research institute that supports collaborative research in advanced technologies systems. Over 150 faculty members from 10 faculties and schools across UBC collaborate within ICICS and with industry. ICICS is focused on increasing the impact of its members’ multidisciplinary research activities by actively supporting:

• Research excellence through support programs
• Translational activities to increase and/or improve user uptake, industry adoption, entrepreneurial activity, standards and policy contributions, and educational outcomes.

Job Summary:

Due to the nature of this work, this role will be required to be on campus.

The Makerspace Technician is a customer and service delivery focused role that provides expert technical support and consultation to ICICS members (students, faculty and staff) and the 20+ HATCH ventures that work within the Makerspace. This includes manufacturing prototypes, operating tools and equipment, supporting ongoing safety and maintenance initiatives and training users.

This role will report directly to the Facilities Manager and works closely with the Manager to support the execution of safety and training policies and processes.

Organizational Status:

The Makerspace Technician reports to the Facilities Manager and may work closely with the Director, ICICS and Operations and Program Manager, as well as faculty, students, and other stakeholders both internal and external to the University.

ICICS shares the building with the Department of Computer Science (CS) and hosts laboratories and offices used by members from different departments.

The Makerspace Technician will work closely with colleagues from CS, ECE, MECH and with the Safety and Facilities Manager from APSC with regards to safety policies & procedures, shipping & receiving and other related shared tasks.

Work Performed:

Design, Machine, Fabrication:

• Working from verbal and written requests, sketches, drawings, and samples to design, machine and fabricate parts and devices; working closely with ICICS members and HATCH company projects.
• Operates tools and equipment and programs equipment based on designs in the Makerspace.
• Must be able to operate a wide range of prototyping equipment including the lathe, mills, saws, sheet metal tools, presses, grinders, sand blasters, paint booth and various other hand and power tools.
• Facilitate design and fabrication with 3D printers, laser cutter, water jet cutters and other like equipment.
• Help with electrical circuit fabrication and assembly including printed circuit boards.
• Establishes standardized technical documentation for all design work.

Safety & Maintenance:

• Responsible for repairs, upgrades and maintenance of all tools, machines and equipment.
• Responsible for securing Equipment using Bluetooth locks and other apparatus to ensure no unauthorized access of equipment.
• Tracks inventory and ensures that required tools, equipment, parts, and materials are available and in stock; as per inventory management policies and processes.
• Responsible for organizing tools and equipment in a systematic way to ensure they are easy to find and use.
• Responsible for ensuring that all machines, tool, and equipment are safe to use and in optimal operating condition at all times.
• Distributes tools, materials, equipment to authorized users and maintains a system to track usage and return.
• Works closely with the Facilities Manager to ensure awareness of safety regulations through training and communications.
• Reports unsafe conditions and incidents to Facilities Manager and follows up with appropriate action to correct issues.
• Participates in ICICS safety initiatives, including acting as a member of the safety team, conducting lab safety tours, and participating in the JOHSC meetings and initiatives as required.

Training:

• Responsible for providing safety training and orientation to all tool and equipment users and evaluating potential users to ensure they are qualified to use tools and equipment safely.
• Oversees the activities of the Makerspace, ensuring policies, procedures, and regulations are followed.
• Acts as ICICS representative for venture clients and internal and external stakeholders, responsible for building relationships with ventures and makerspace users to ensure the safe and effective use of the Makerspace.
• Provides guidance and assistance to authorized users when required.
• Performs other duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement:
Poor attention to detail or low quality of work may result in project delays, extensive costs and missed deadlines. Poor adherence to safety policies, regulations and procedures and poor maintenance of equipment or inadequate training of new users could result in serious injury or property damage.

Supervision Received:
Reports directly to the Facilities Manager. Will work with and take direction from the Director, ICICS and Operations & Program Manager. Work is reviewed in terms of achievement of specific goals and end-user satisfaction.

Supervision Given:
Supervises students/staff members and HATCH company members on projects and tool/equipment usage in the Makerspace.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from a technical college or institute or completion of a recognized apprenticeship and a minimum three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to decipher from professional technical drawings or non-professional technical drawings and be creative in recommending solutions.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships, engaging in professional and respectful conversations to solve problems and adapt to changes.
• Ability to interpret and apply engineering/technical specifications to assess equipment condition and safety requirements.
• Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of mechanical and electrical equipment, hardware setup, configuration, and maintenance.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work efficiently managing multiple projects and competing deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to present and share information in a thoughtful, clear, and engaging manner.
• Demonstrated ability to provide quality service, with a customer focus, to internal and external clients/stakeholders in a courteous and patient manner.
• Trained in the operation of majority of equipment identified above as well as relevant software such as Solidworks.