9313 Research Technician I

POSITION IDENTIFICATION

TITLE Research Technician I

CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 9313

GRADE 42

CLASSIFICATION Exempt

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Assigned Supervisor

GENERAL FUNCTION

The primary duty of the Research Technician I is to operate, test, and/or repair a diverse range of scientific equipment used at the Jordan Valley Innovation Center (JVIC). The Research Technician I will independently carry out research activities including, but not limited to, prototyping, process development, data gathering and interpretation, installation and setup of equipment, lab organization, lab cleaning, and any associated maintenance tasks. The Research Technician I will assist with work on various research projects and may receive task assignments from multiple sources.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:  A high school diploma or the equivalent plus at least one year of formal training in applied science or a related appropriate field beyond high school including experience pertaining to electronics, electrical systems, and/or mechanical systems is required. A bachelor’s degree in an applied science field or at least five years of relevant on-the-job technical experience is preferred. An equivalent combination of years of experience and education may be considered for substitution of educational requirements.

Skills: A demonstrated knowledge of or aptitude for electronics, electrical systems, mechanical systems, and manufacturing techniques is required. Proficient experience with hand tools, operation of test equipment, and mechanical aptitude is required.  Effective interpersonal and organizational skills are required. The ability to read schematics and wiring diagrams is required. The ability to maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and calibrate scientific equipment is required. 

Other: This position is designated “sensitive” as defined by University policy.  This position may include job duties, responsibilities, or activities that are subject to export control regulations.

Effort: Occasional lifting and carrying of materials and equipment weighing up to fifty pounds is required. Normal color vision is required in order to conduct experiments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Maintains the operational condition of scientific equipment by cleaning, calibrating, modifying, and repairing equipment.

2. Ensures the completeness of repairs made on scientific equipment by diagnosing and locating point(s) of failure, determining the underlying cause(s) of malfunctions, and initiating appropriate corrective action by repairing or replacing defective parts and components.

3. Facilitates research by assisting in the fabrication of experimental and scientific equipment, developing schematics, and determining operating standards.

4. Facilitates the installation of equipment (either new purchases or equipment relocated within JVIC) by assisting with receiving, moving, unpacking, inventorying, testing, and setting up the equipment.

5. Ensures the accountability and availability of required parts, components, and supplies by maintaining various records of required supplies. Assists with controlling inventory, and ordering parts, components, or other supplies as needed.

6. Promotes preventive maintenance as a strategy in maintaining scientific equipment by maintaining accurate records on each piece of equipment indicating all maintenance required and performed.

7. Maintains a current knowledge of the specifications of JVIC’s scientific equipment by accessing electronic resources for technical manuals, manufacturer’s publications, schematics, and circuit diagrams needed for maintaining and repairing equipment.

8. Serves as a liaison between JVIC research personnel and vendor representatives and technicians as needed to monitor the execution and quality of vendor-provided installation, service, and support.

9. Assists staff and student researchers by providing technical advice on the use of scientific equipment.

10. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.

11. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contact with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training as required by the supervisor.

12. Contributes to the overall success of JVIC by performing other associated duties and responsibilities as assigned.

SUPERVISION

The Research Technician I supervises part-time staff and student employees as assigned.

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES

DECEMBER 2024

JOB FAMILY 4

Factor 1: Professional Knowledge, Skill, and Technical Mastery

Level 0.0 - 300 Points: Entry-level general knowledge of processes, methods, and procedures that can be obtained through on-the-job training in one or more simple work processes. Knowledge permits the employee to complete less demanding, related, and recurring assignments that can be quickly mastered and/or to assist experienced coworkers. Knowledge and skill at this level are typically acquired through on-the-job training and a combination of high school diploma and previous work experience or some college course work or vocational training.

Factor 2: Supervisory Responsibility

Level 1.0 - 50 Points: Typically, little, if any, supervision of others is required. The job may require irregular but occasional responsibility to direct the work of student workers and/or temporary or part-time workers. The nature of supervision is largely confined to assigning tasks to others and does not include a full range of supervisory responsibilities. The amount of time spent on directing the work of others is normally a small portion of total work time.

Factor 3: Interactions with Others

Level 2.0 - 100 Points: Interactions are generally routine and structured involving employees inside the University, students, or the general public. The purpose may include obtaining or clarifying facts, coordinating work, solving recurring problems, or providing factual information to others. Contacts may be with coworkers or structured exchanges with students, faculty, or the general public, and are generally for the purpose of exchanging information.

Factor 4: Job Controls and Guidelines

Level 3.0 - 500 Points: The employee operates under general supervision expressed in terms of program goals and objectives, priorities, and deadlines. Administrative supervision is given through statements of overall program or project objectives and available resources. Administrative guidelines are relatively comprehensive and the employee need only to fill in gaps in interpretation and adapt established methods to perform recurring activities. In unforeseen situations, the employee must interpret inadequate or incomplete guidelines, develop plans, and initiate new methods to complete assignments based on those interpretations. Assignments are normally related in function, but the work requires many different processes and methods applied to an established administrative or professional field. Problems are typically the result of unusual circumstances, variations in approach, or incomplete or conflicting data. The employee must interpret and refine methods to complete assignments. Characteristic jobs at this level may involve directing single-purpose programs or performing complex, but precedented, technical or professional work.

Factor 5: Managerial Responsibility

Level 3.0 - 850 Points: Work involves providing significant support services to others both within and outside of the department that substantially influences decision-making processes. Work activities are complex and others rely on the accuracy and reliability of the information, analysis, or advice to make decisions. Work activities have a direct, but shared, impact on further processes or services, affect the overall efficiency and image of the department, and may have material impact on costs or service quality within the cost center. Incumbents may be responsible for identifying areas of need and for developing proposals that request funding to fulfill those needs.