Faculty Safety Technical Officer

Essential Qualifications and Skills

Candidates must have:

▪ A Primary Honours Degree (Level 8) as specified in the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) or equivalent.

▪ At least three years relevant postgraduate experience at an appropriate level.

▪ Ability to take initiative, give leadership and work with people.

▪ Good organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.

▪ Ability to provide on the job learning and coaching of other staff.

▪ Good technical knowledge in designate area.

▪ Good knowledge of Health and Safety legislation.

▪ Evidence of personal development through further skills development.

Desirable Qualifications and Skills

▪ Demonstrated experience in implementing, and understanding of, the provisions of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and all other relevant health and safety legislation.

▪ Demonstrate a working experience of Occupational Health and Safety System Management.

▪ Experience in the continuous management of Safe Working Practices and Risk Assessments for chemical, biological and radiological agents, machinery and equipment.

▪ Experience in chemical, biological, genetically modified organisms and radiological safety and waste management is desirable.

▪ Experience in clinical material safety and waste management is desirable.

▪ Experience in handling animals in a safe manner (both live and deceased) in line with health and safety requirements.

▪ An understanding of biosecurity is desirable.

▪ An understanding of issues concerning safety, health and welfare requirements of a third-level educational establishment.

▪ Experience in the delivery of H&S KPIs.

▪ The ability to work as part of a larger H&S team, particularly in the delivery of university wide H&S projects.

▪ Has worked to support a culture change in relation to Health and Safety.

▪ Demonstrates strong creativity in resolving issues and developing programmes.

▪ Ability to make decisions and achieve deadlines.

▪ Ability to instil co-operation in others.

▪ Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

▪ Energetic, innovative, assertive, meticulous to detail.

▪ Strong Computer and IT Skills and proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint.

▪ Experience in Manual Handling Instructor.

▪ Preferably a member of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

▪ Full EU Driving Licence.

Overview of the Role

The newly created post of Faculty Safety Technical Officer is to ensure the Faculty of Science & Health is implementing the occupational health and safety management system to ensure the safety, health and welfare of all staff, students and other third-parties affected by ATU operations.

The successful candidate will join the university Health & Safety team and will report directly to the University Health & Safety Manager. The role will involve working closely with the University H&S Manager, and the wider H&S team, in the development and continuous improvement of the Occupational Health & Safety Management System. This may include being part of particular H&S project working groups.

The position will indirectly report to the ATU Faculty Operations Manager for the Faculty of Science and Health. The Faculty Safety Technical Officer will also work closely with the Faculty of Science & Health management and employees across all ATU campuses. The role will be directly involved in advising and providing technical assistance to the Science & Health Faculty on Health, Safety and Welfare legislation and assist in the preparation of policies, procedures, and risk assessments to ensure legislative compliance and safe systems of work are implemented across the Faculty of Science & Health.

Particular focus will be on the development and implementation of safe working practices and risk assessments for all laboratory equipment, biological, chemical, radiological, and clinical materials and animals in conjunction with Science & Health management and technical staff.

Regular travel to ATU campuses will be required to assist relevant colleagues in bringing safety challenges as they arise to resolution.

Duties

The following indicate some of the principal duties and responsibilities that may be assigned:

▪ Organising, preparing and setting up for practical classes, demonstrations, assessments, practical examinations, project and research work in laboratory and other areas.

▪ Installing and testing of software, making software available to appropriate users, ensuring anti-virus software is installed and kept up to date, network management where appropriate.

▪ To be present, as required, at each laboratory or workshop class, including night classes if necessary, for the entire duration of the class, to provide technical assistance as required, to provide demonstrations, etc.

▪ Provide technical assistance to lecturers and students on the safe operation and use of equipment and materials.

▪ Repairing, maintaining, securing and storing of laboratory/computer equipment, and consumable materials.

▪ Designing, modifying, building, testing and installation of equipment/hardware as appropriate, or teaching and research needs.

▪ Establishing and maintaining stock control of equipment and consumable materials.

▪ Consulting with suppliers of equipment and consumable materials, obtaining technical specifications, quotations and ordering new equipment and consumable materials, taking delivery of equipment and materials, checking and installing as appropriate.

▪ Advising on specifying requirements for new and updated laboratories, workstations, workshops, etc.

▪ Preparing and updating technical instruction manuals as required.

▪ Managing and administration of computer/information technology and visual aids facilities.

▪ Assisting Head of School/Department/Function/Faculty with budget control and estimates for annual running and development costs.

▪ Arranging for safe disposal of used materials, e.g. biological, chemical and materials containing toxic, hazardous and volatile materials.

▪ Organising and scheduling work of laboratory staff.

▪ Monitoring, testing and recording of condition of safety equipment to comply with Health and Safety Regulations and other regulations specific to work developing, updating, etc. of hazard analysis documentation.

▪ Carrying out of safety audits in all areas of operation in co-operation with other grades of staff.

▪ Ensure that laboratories, materials and equipment are kept clean, tidy and in good order.

▪ Attend school or other meetings as required from time to time.

▪ To participate in all committees/groups of which the appointee is a member or to which the appointee is assigned.

▪ Providing and contributing to reports as required from time to time.

▪ Participate in ongoing training and professional development.

▪ Undertake such other appropriate duties as may be assigned from time to time by the university authorities.

Salary

Salary Scale Technical Officer Grade: €44,806 – €74,826

Candidates external to the sector may be appointed up to the 6th Point (€54,429) of the Salary Scale in accordance with University Policy

Hours of Work

36.5 hours per week