Laboratory Technician - Department of Built Environment
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FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF BUILT ENVIRONMENT
LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
PERMANENT(P10)
REF NO: WSU-BCC-FEBEIT 04/2026/01
The main purpose of this position is to ensure that practical’s offered to students conform to the highest quality standards and support the teaching, research and community engagement objectives of the Department. The incumbent will be responsible for the Soils, Concrete, and Surveying Laboratories, servicing the Diploma in Building and Advanced Diploma in Construction Management and Advanced Diploma in Quantity Surveying.
Key performance areas:
INSTRUMENT AND EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT
- Handle, store and maintain all soil, concrete, and surveying equipment in the laboratory.
- Conduct weekly inventories and order materials/consumables (cement, aggregates, sand) in time for scheduled practicals.
- Report breakages immediately; arrange for the repair and calibration of compression machines, sieve shakers, and surveying levels/theodolites.
- Commission new equipment in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
TECHNICAL PRACTICALS: SOILS, CONCRETE & CONSTRUCTION
- Site Surveying: Conduct practicals on levelling, theodolite traversing, and total station setup.
- Soil Mechanics: Prepare samples for foundation purposes; conduct Atterberg Limits, sieve analyses, and CBR tests.
- Concrete Technology: Demonstrate slump tests, concrete cube casting, curing, and compression/tension testing.
- Masonry: Instruct students on mixing mortar, laying bricks in various bonds (Stretcher, English, Flemish), and testing the strength of mortars.
- Ensure all practical manuals are updated to reflect current construction technology and industry standards.
HEALTH & SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT
- Act as the first responder for the laboratory; administer first aid and maintain the first aid kit.
- Enforce strict compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) .
- Conduct risk assessments; identify hazards (dust, heavy machinery, wet concrete) and implement immediate mitigations.
- Maintain a legal compliance safety file for the lab.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT & ADMINISTRATION
- Prepare laboratory manuals and project sheets for Building Technology Diploma and Advanced Diploma students.
- Keep accurate records of student attendance, practical work completed, and assessment results.
- Liaise with Lecturers to align practical work with theoretical curricula.
- Demonstrate a spirit of being trainable and a willingness to further your studies.
- Register with relevant professional bodies (SACICMP, SAICE, IAIASA) where appropriate.
Minimum requirements
- National Diploma in Building, Civil Engineering with a focus on Construction Materials/Structures.
- Advanced Diploma/B-Tech in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Built Environment or Civil Engineering will be an added advantage.
- Trade Test Certification (Bricklaying/Plastering/Concrete) or Surveying Certification will also be added advantage.
Experience
- Minimum of two (2) years relevant laboratory experience within a construction materials testing environment or reputable building contractor site laboratory.
- Site experience will be considered alongside the laboratory experience.
Skills/Competencies required
- Technical Proficiency: Must carry heavy equipment and samples (physical strength required).
- Communication: Ability to instruct diverse groups of students clearly and patiently.
- Safety Awareness: Proven ability to enforce PPE compliance and lab discipline.
- Organization: Ability to manage multiple practical groups and equipment schedules simultaneously.
- First Aid: Valid First Aid Level 1 certificate (or willingness to obtain).
NB: All SUBMISSIONS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED IN ONE SCANNED PDF DOCUMENT.
Applications, which should contain a completed WSU application form obtainable at www.wsu.ac.za/vacancies and comprehensive curriculum vitae, certified copies of required qualifications, detailed academic record (with University stamp), abstract of Masters thesis (if applicable), identity document and contact details of three referees,
Closing Date: 13 May 2026
Applicants who have not been informed about the outcome of their application within two months from the closing date may regard their application as having been unsuccessful. Late applications will not be accepted.
WSU is committed to Employment Equity and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply