University of Maine

Job Description

US PERSON ONLY – CONTROLLED PROJECTS

TITLE:	Technician I – Wood Composites

DEPARTMENT:	Advanced Structures and Composites Center

DATE:	June 2022

REPORTS TO:	Engineer II, Wood Composites

Introduction to the Advanced Structures and Composites Center

3Dirigo, a 25 ft. long, 5,000lbs patrol boat printed by UMaine in 72 hours, winning a Guinness World Record. The Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) is a world-leading, interdisciplinary center for research, education, and economic development encompassing material sciences, advanced manufacturing and engineering of composites and structures. Housed in a 100,000ft2 ISO-17025 accredited facility, the ASCC has been recognized nationally and internationally for cutting edge research programs leading and impacting new industries including offshore wind and marine energy, civil infrastructure, bio-based large-scale 3D printing, soldier protection systems and innovative defense-related applications. The ASCC is the largest university-based research Center in Maine, and one of the fastest growing research laboratories in the world, with research revenue growth of 5X in the past 5 years. Facility has expanded to include 13 integrated laboratories with more than 260 full and part time personnel, including faculty, staff and students. Since its founding in 1996 with support from the National Science Foundation, the Center has financially sponsored more than 2,600 students, received 70 patents, received over 26,000 visitors, created 14 spinoff companies through licensing of patents or trade secrets, and received more than 40 national and global awards for research excellence.

ASCC received $150 million commitment from private investors and the US DOE to build a 10-12MW floating turbine using its patented VolturnUS technology. The ASCC’s 2020 Strategic Plan, called GEM, focuses the Center’s work on Green Energy and Materials development. Through GEM, the Center is at the forefront of major new sustainability industries in the U.S., including these recent successful initiatives:

Floating offshore wind technology developed at the ASCC led to a $100 million investment by global energy heavyweights Diamond Offshore Wind and RWE Renewables, and $50 million investment from the US DOE, to launch the first full-scale floating offshore wind project off the Maine coast. Read more about this accomplishment

Awarded three Guinness World Records for the world’s largest prototype polymer 3D printer, largest solid 3D-printed object, and largest 3D-printed boat. The awards came after ASCC printed 3Dirigo, a 25ft marine patrol vessel weighing 5,000lbs in under 3 days. Read more about this accomplishment

Largest polymer 3D printer in the world, commissioned at ASCC in Q4 2019. The print volume is 60 ft x 22ft x 10ft, and deposition rate is 150 lbs/hour First large-scale bio-based additive manufacturing program in the US, via a $20M additive manufacturing program with Oak Ridge National Lab to work with the forest products industry to produce new bio-based materials that will be conducive to 3D printing large-scale products such as boat hull molds, shelters, building components, tooling for composites and wind blades. Read more about this accomplishment

Selected to lead the $14.2 million Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center with 5 other universities across New England to develop more sustainable, transformative and economical solutions to address our nation’s infrastructure challenges. Read more about this accomplishment

Purpose: The purpose of this position is to perform hands-on laboratory activities related to wood and wood composites manufacturing (e.g. OSB, plywood, particleboard, fiberboard), testing of these products, as well as operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Scope

Operate and maintain standard and specialized industrial equipment such as resin blenders, log stranders, dry kilns, and hydraulic presses.

Manufacture wood composite products for internal and external clients.

Prepare test specimens from manufactured panels.

Conduct standardized tests on small and large testing machines, including data entry and collection.

Operate fork trucks and overhead cranes.

Draft work instructions for assigned projects.

Provide safety and environmental guidance to staff and students.

Schedule manufacturing and testing equipment.

Set up equipment and verify it is fit for use.

Stay abreast of developments in the field of expertise and area of responsibility.

Make recommendations for improvements to internal methods and operations.

Budget

Recommends purchase of equipment, materials, and supplies for use in research projects.

Supervision

Instructs others in the use of equipment.

Assigns tasks to undergraduate student assistants and temporary employees.

Contacts

Trains students in wood composite fabrication and test techniques.

Works with teams of undergraduate student lab assistants and temporary employees in laboratory activities.

As part of each project, interacts positively with a team of Advanced Structures and Composites Center laboratory staff, students, and faculty.

Performs other reasonably related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skill Qualifications:

Typically has the education associated with an Associate’s degree in an Engineering Technology field or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.

Required:

Hands-on, related experience.

Ability to spend most of the day standing, in an often busy, industrial, large laboratory.

Ability to frequently lift 50 lbs.

Ability to wear a respirator.

Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment with staff supervisors, lab technicians, students, faculty and industrial clients.

Organizational, oral, and written communication skills.

Attention to detail and commitment to quality.

Ability to travel locally requiring a valid driver’s license.

Trained in safe work practices around power tools and industrial equipment.

Preferred:

Professional experience in an industrial, or mill setting.

Experience with wood product manufacturing and/or testing.

Experience with maintenance and repair of hydraulic and pneumatic industrial equipment.

Experience operating chainsaws.

Experience in data collection software as well as MS Word and Excel.

Trained in safe work practices around power tools and large equipment, and ability to train others in these practices.

Position Type: Contingent on funding and successful performance.

Work Schedule: Normal University of Maine business hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Work outside of normal business hours will be necessary in order to complete the requirements of the position. This position is considered Essential Personnel in the ASCC Storm Day Policy.

Work Environment: Work will be performed at the Advanced Structures and Composites Center 100,000 ft2 laboratory with a world-leading team of over 250 faculty, staff, and students who conduct contract research with a variety of public and private entities developing the next generation of low-cost, high performance composite materials.

Schedule for Evaluation: In the initial six months of employment and annually thereafter in accordance with the UMPSA agreement.

Job Family/Salary Band: 07/03.

Appropriate background checks and pre-employment physical will be required.

All UMS employees are required to comply with applicable policies and procedures, as well as to complete applicable workplace related screenings, and required employee trainings, such as Information Security, Safety Training, Workplace Violence and Sexual Harassment.