General Information

Position Title: Electronic Instrument Technician
Control Number: 000374
Reports To: 000371
Position Title Department Name
Manager of Technical Support Operations Science Tech Support Services
Department Name: Science Tech Support Services
Location: Science Tech Support Services
Date Prepared: Feb-99
Exempt: No

Primary Purpose

Provides technical support for repair, operation and maintenance of electronic and other scientific instrumentation and equipment.

Responsibilities

Works cooperatively with others and accepts direction from supervisors.

Runs performance tests and performs calibrations on electronic equipment such as oscilloscopes, frequency meters, oscillators, voltmeters, etc.


Troubleshoots and repairs problems in digital and analog circuits of electronic equipment, including such major instruments as FTIRs, scintillation counters, and the like, down to the component level.


Designs electronic circuits, filters and computer interfaces for various scientific instruments.


Develops and implements computer software for various data acquisition systems.


Installs and maintains environmental monitoring devices and systems, including such radiotelemetry systems as the multipoint seismograph and the Lake Champlain ADCP current meter array.


Performs underwater deployment and repair of marine/lacustrine instrumentation.


Assists in operation, piloting and maintenance of the College's lake research vessel.


Advises and works with students on technical aspects and construction details of research projects involving electronic instrumentation or control.


Advises and assists other College departments on problems related to electronic and electromechanical equipment.


Recommends purchases of electronic instrumentation and acquisition hardware and software.


Develops and maintains a file of operational and repair manuals for electronic devices.


Maintains an inventory of repair parts and electronic components.


Ensures that the electronics work areas are maintained in an orderly manner.


Works with other members of the SSS technical group on specific projects.


Provides occasional backup support as may be necessary in stockroom operations and organismal care, in support of other SSS staff.

Education & Training

Associate's degree or equivalent in electrical or electronic engineering technology.  Bachelor's degree is preferable.


Training on theory, operation, and repair of specific instrumentation such as XRD and ICAP.  Training in safe seamanship practices appropriate for R/V operation and SCUBA certification.  (Listed training may be taken after employment)

Experience

Minimum 2 years experience in design and repair of electronic circuits to the component level is required.  Broad experience with a variety of instrumentation highly desirable.

Knowledge

Knowledge of one or more scientific computing languages is required.

Other

Familiarity with IBM-PC assembler language and Unix operating system desirable.  Must be willing and able to work with a diverse group of faculty, staff and students.