Trades Aide

Position Summary(Basic Job Function)

This is a temporary or an on-call position. Provides support in one or more skilled trades areas such as a bindery machine operator, carpenter, electrician, glazier, instrument maker, locksmith, mason, mechanic, machinist, painter, pipefitter, plasterer, plumber, printing press operator, roofer, trades helper, upholsterer, welder, etc. Classified titles may be used where needed to track on-call/temporary staff with licensure/certification requirements. Term: Temps can work nine (9) month terms with a week break in service in between. On-Call allowed to work 1039 hours in any twelve (12) month period.

Unit Position Summary

Michigan State University (MSU) operates the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) as a user facility for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC), supporting the mission of the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics. FRIB provides researchers with one of the most advanced tools of modern science to study rare isotopes, or short-lived nuclei not normally found on Earth. Hosting what is designed to be the most powerful heavy-ion accelerator, FRIB enables scientists to make discoveries about the properties of rare isotopes, nuclear astrophysics, fundamental interactions, and applications for society, including in medicine, homeland security, and industry. User facility operation is supported by the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics as one of 28 DOE-SC user facilities. MSU’s nuclear physics graduate program is a top-ranked program nationally, according to U.S. News & World Report.

This position affords an exciting opportunity to become part of the world-class FRIB Laboratory that enables unique discovery opportunities in nuclear science.

Purpose: 

The FRIB Machine Shop Professional Aid will fabricate, modify, maintain, adjust, assemble, and/or repair precise and highly complicated instruments, assemblies and parts for teaching and research purposes, and manufacture complex parts using equipment, devices and systems at an expert level; including analysis of complex problems, troubleshooting systems and providing expert level knowledge.                             

Major Duties/Responsiblities: 

• Confer with and provide expert counsel to professional and academic staff on the design, feasibility, material selection, specification and sequences to be used during fabrication, assembly and operation of devices
• Troubleshoots in the area of expertise
• Perform the duties of Research Trades Assistant and lower level Instrument Maker and similar skilled trades classifications with a higher level of skill and precision as needed or directed
• Set up, adjust, operate, maintain, install, and prepare highly complex programs for complicated details utilizing both CNC and manual machines at an expert level
• Fabricate, assemble, modify, maintain and repair complex precision systems consisting of combinations of machines, parts or mechanisms, etc., to precise standards from blueprints, sketches or communicated instructions to precise standards
• Design complex precision systems consisting of a combination of apparatus, instruments and equipment including the preparation of blueprints, sketches, drawings, materials, procedures, components and specifications
• Troubleshoot problems requiring extensive experience in and expert knowledge of the machinist trade
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Expert knowledge of CNC machine operation, MasterCam programming, and toolpath generation
• Skill in the selection and use of appropriate tools and mechanical equipment.
• Expert knowledge of the methods, materials, tools, equipment, occupational hazards and safety precautions of the trade areas specific to the job duties to be performed.
• Excellent communication skills to communicate effectively and credibly, both verbally and in writing with all audiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suites.

Desired Qualifications

• Associate degree in Electronics, Mechanics, Plumbing, or a trade area specific to the work to be performed, or an equivalent combination of related technical training and experience
• Two years’ experience as an Instrument Maker II or equivalent experience in one or more skilled trades areas specific to the job duties to be performed
• Expert knowledge of the methods, materials, tools, equipment, occupational hazards and safety precautions of the trade areas specific to the job duties to be performed
• Expert knowledge of computer-controlled, programmable or conventional machine tools, machining and related operations

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Please provide a resume. 

Work Hours

ON-CALL

Website

frib.msu.edu