Technician in Civil Engineering

About the University

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region. We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023.

About the College/Department

The College of Science and Engineering is the home of STEM: the skills that are essential to the UK's Industrial Strategy. The College brings together a powerful combination of scientific expertise, technological innovation, and creative practice. With disciplines spanning computing, AI, data science, engineering, environmental sciences, built environments and psychology, we are uniquely positioned to solve real-world challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.

The School of Engineering and Built Environment at the University of Derby is a dynamic and future-focused academic community that blends technical excellence with creative innovation. It offers a wide range of programmes across engineering, architecture, construction, and design. The discipline area is located in the University's STEM annex in Markeaton Street, where staff offices and lab facilities are co-located.

About the Role

Technical Services at the University of Derby underpins the key activities of teaching, research, knowledge transfer and innovation. As an applied University we value the importance of practical work and experimental learning. Our highly skilled Technicians play a vital part in delivering the very best student experience, developing research activity and contributing to innovation.

As Technician in Civil Engineering, you will contribute to laboratory and field-based learning across core civil engineering disciplines, including surveying, structural engineering, geotechnics, and fluid mechanics. Responsibilities will include maintenance, demonstrating technical procedures, preparing equipment and experimental setups, and supporting the delivery of practical classes and fieldwork.

An important core aspect of the role will involve the support of surveying activities and field trips. This will include the operation, maintenance, and demonstration of surveying technologies. The post holder will also support the processing, management, and presentation of survey data, producing outputs aligned with current industry standards.

A Full UK Driving Licence (manual) is essential for this role as you will be required to drive the University of Derby vehicles and hired vehicles (up to 3.5 tonne) to transport equipment between sites. There is a requirement to load and unload equipment, typically with a maximum weight up to 50kg, with shared lifting processes.

Principal Accountabilities

- Liaise with academic staff in the School of Engineering and Built Environment, and the Technical team to ensure full technical support for teaching, course development, academic enterprise, outreach and research.
- Provide technical support for laboratory practical sessions across built environment as requested by academic staff and scheduled by the Senior Technician.
- Driving equipment and persons to sites to support teaching and projects.
- Support off site field trips and surveys including residentials.
- Provide technical assistance to other members of staff as required by the Technical Team Leader or Technical Manager.
- Maintain the efficient preparation, operation and orderly appearance of all Built Environment practical laboratory spaces.
- Provide relevant technical assistance for student projects (undergraduate and postgraduate).
- Assist with supervision and training of student employees and volunteers.
- Construct and/or install and implement new apparatus and equipment, operate and maintain existing apparatus and equipment as appropriate.
- Help to maintain material stocks, spares etc. and report deficiencies to the Senior Technician.
- Demonstrate relevant techniques in practical sessions as required.
- Undertake appropriate technician development courses.
- Ensure local compliance with all relevant Health and Safety regulations and policies and write risk assessments where appropriate.
- Undertake any additional duties as required in agreement with the line manager and Technical Team Leader.

About You

You will hold qualification(s) equivalent to a degree in Civil Engineering, Surveying, or a related discipline, or possess comparable knowledge and transferable skills gained through relevant professional experience.

The ideal candidate will have technical experience supporting civil engineering activities, preferably gained within an industrial, construction, research, or educational environment. You will have experience in the operation, maintenance and safe use of a range of civil engineering equipment and technical resources used in laboratory, fieldwork and practical teaching environments. This may include surveying equipment, testing apparatus, monitoring equipment, and associated software or data collection systems.

Person Specification – Essential Criteria

Qualifications:
- Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience in a related subject
- Full UK Driving Licence - Manual

Experience:
- Experience of supporting or engaging in practical work in civil engineering and built environment
- Experience and knowledge of using, maintaining, and supporting equipment and resources used within civil engineering and built environment discipline

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:
- Ability to develop standard operating procedures for practical classes
- Excellent and proven verbal communication skills and able to communicate effectively to students and staff
- Ability to plan and monitor own workload operating both alone and as part of a team
- Working knowledge of relevant Health and Safety including Risk Assessments (RA) and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
- Demonstrable high level of organisational and practical skills
- Manages own time and prioritises work
- Team worker
- Highly self-motivated, able to work with minimal supervision and willingness to take on varied responsibilities

Business Requirements:
- Willingness to provide support at University events from time to time e.g., Graduation, Clearing and Open Days
- Ability to travel to offsite locations
- There will be limited evening and weekend work associated with this post
- Attend field trips or otherwise as agreed in advance with the Senior Technician

Person Specification – Desirable Criteria

Qualifications:
- Professional registration
- Recognised First Aid qualification

Experience:
- Experience of geotechnical, fluids, structures, or surveying activities

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
- Good working knowledge of survey equipment including total stations, GPR, GPS and laser scanners
- Good working knowledge of Computer Aided Design packages

Benefits

- Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
- Discounted onsite gym
- Cycle to Work scheme
- A flexible working environment
- A commitment to personal and professional development