Technical Officer

Job Purpose

The Technical Officer under the general direction of the Branch Manager and Senior Technical Officer applies scientific knowledge to design and develop systems, equipment and test methods to perform testing related activities in at least one of the following laboratories: Battery Testing, Electrical/ Electronic Product Testing, Appliance Testing and Energy Efficiency Testing. This involves designing, developing and validating test methods, performing conformity tests and developing and implementing projects/programmes. In addition, the Technical Officer facilitates the development and review of standards specifications by participating in the work of national regional and international Technical Committees. 

Major Duties and Responsibility:

• Evaluate requests for testing services and prepare pro-forma estimates.
• Analyses reports, drawings, instrument equipment manuals, and other data required to execute testing jobs.
• Tests and /or supervises the testing of electrical electronic appliances and products in accordance with the requirements of national and/or international standard specifications.
• Conducts tests/assessments/investigations based on consumer complaints to assist in resolving disputes between consumers and distributors of electrical products/ appliances.
• Calculates measurement uncertainties associated with test standards and testing processes.
• Prepares detailed technical reports identifying areas of compliance and non-compliance to the requirements of regulating standard(s)
• Review raw data and test reports prepared by Technicians and/or Technical Officers under his or her supervision.
• Assist with the examination of patent applications and the preparation of examination reports.
• Ensures that maintenance and calibration schedules for testing equipment/instruments are prepared and followed.
• Monitors and evaluates direct reports competencies to ensure that tasks are appropriately assigned.
• Updates of BSTs Job Management and Tracking System (JMTS) to accurately reflect the status of all jobs.
• Conducts research aimed at designing developing, documenting and validating new test methods thus assuring confidence in test results.
• Participates in Proficiency Testing exercises with internationally recognized testing laboratory(ies)
• Implements projects to improve projects to improve product testing capabilities.
• Make recommendations regarding equipment/ accessories required to improve or maintain efficient testing services.
• Prepares procurement documents for the purchase of equipment instruments or for contracting the services of a consultant/ company
• Evaluate bid documents for items that are in line with areas of speciality as per requests from the Procurement Committee
• Installs and commissions of newly purchased test equipment/ instruments.
• Facilitates the development or review of national and/or regional standard specifications by serving on national technical committees.
• Provides technical advice to legislators regarding the development or review of technical regulations.
• Assist in efforts to improve organizational efficiency by assessing process flows and recommending changes to policies/procedures where it is deemed necessary.
• Improves job knowledge by studying state-of-the-art development tools, programming techniques, and computing equipment; reading professional publications and maintaining professional networks.
• Supports the organization's efforts to maintain a robust quality management system by conducting internal quality system audits of various branches/units.
• Provides training and/or technical advice in area(s) of speciality to both internal and external clients.
• Prepares technical presentations in areas of speciality.
• Represents the BSJ at meetings, promotions and conferences held locally or overseas.
• Assist in executing activities relating to obtaining or retaining Accreditation for testing laboratory(ies) under his or her supervision.
• Actively participates in branch meetings, divisional meetings and management review meetings.
• Serves as safety and or quality coordinator for the branch upon being recommended by the Branch Manager
• Complete performance appraisal for direct reports
• Exercises general disciplinary control over direct reports where necessary.
• Undertakes any other reasonable duties, commensurate with job title, as may be determined by the Branch Manager. 

Unusual Requirements and Working Conditions:

The position, due to its nature, may require:

• Work on weekends to meet important deadlines
• Working in hot and humid conditions when executing some on-site jobs
• Overnight at distant locations locally or overseas to complete testing jobs
• Research and validate test methods for non-routine job requests 

Minimum Educational Requirements:

• B.Sc. or B.Eng. Degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering, Applied Science or equivalent
• Project management training
• Advance Computer literacy in Microsoft Office Suite
• Training in testing, standardization and the requirements of IEC/ISO 17025 

Experience:

• At least two years' experience working in an electrical/electronic testing laboratory environment.
• At least one year in project development and management
• At least one year in quality system development and maintenance 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of performing conformity tests on electrical/electronic product/ appliances
• Working knowledge and understanding of metrology and measurement uncertainty
• Knowledgeable of the Standards Act, and the Weights and Measures Act
• Very good technical writing skills
• Very good problem-solving skills
• Good organizational.
• Knowledge of Project Development and Management
• Good interpersonal skills
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Good customer service attitude
• Good team player
• Ability to be flexible
• Good leadership skills
• Ability to work creatively and off own initiative
• Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings and specifications
• Impeccable integrity 

Physical Demand:

• Lifting and moving items submitted for testing as well as test equipment/instruments
• Standing for several hours to prepare samples for testing
• Operating computers and measuring/test instruments/equipment to perform testing work as well as prepare reports
• Work requires an individual to position his or her self in confined spaces to access instrument sensors/power connections
• Must be able to inspect/examine small electrical components instruments using magnifying glass lite necessary
• Sometimes required to ascend/descend a ladder to set up test equipment
• Differentiate between multiple colours to interpret colour codes used on resistor and electrical wires
• Traveling for several hours to factory location and/or consumer premises to perform on-site jobs or to participate in training exercise or meeting locally and abroad 

Mental Demand:

• The person in this position must be able to understand complex electrical circuits, mathematical equations, standard specifications and high level technical specification to manage and execute testing assignments The person in this position must be able to gather and classify testing/measurement information for the purpose of preparing reports/presentations for internal and external customers/stakeholders.
• The person in this position must use logics to analyze data for planning and prioritizing work flow, troubleshooting and solving technical problems and determining the effectiveness of programs/ policies/procedures/corrective actions
• The person in this position must express or exchange ideas with employees at all levels, sometimes members of Standard Council and customers/ stakeholders.
• The person in this position needs to adapt well in the face of workplace stressors such as customer service complaints, adhering to strict quality and safety procedures, competing priorities of reasonable or high significance to the successful function of the Branch, etc. 

Please note that while we appreciate all applications, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.