Laboratory and Type Approvals Technician
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Tēnei tūranga – About the role
Trading Standards is an operational business unit with national regulatory responsibilities that are fundamental to supporting consumer and business confidence and facilitating domestic and international trade. Trading Standards has the following responsibilities:
- Legal Metrology (Trade Measurement) – administering and enforcing the Trade Measurement System that ensures goods are exchanged on the basis of recognised, informed and accurate weight and measure.
- Fuel Quality Monitoring (FQM) – maintaining and administering a programme to monitor and ensure the compliance of New Zealand’s retail fuel supply with the Engine Fuel Specifications Regulations.
Laboratory and Type Approvals Technicians support effective and efficient delivery of national metrology laboratory services which ensure that trade in and from New Zealand is conducted on the basis of fair and accurate measurement that is consistent with internationally accepted standards and best practice.
The work involves physical activity and lifting, transferring and use of test equipment and may also involve occasional visits to a range of trade and industry environments. Personal Protective Equipment is provided and must be worn in accordance with relevant Ministry Policy.
The role may involve limited domestic travel in response to operational requirements and the possibility of occasional overnight stays away from home.
For further information see: http://tradingstandards.mbie.govt.nz(external link).
Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role
Personal specifications
- Practical experience in the verification of standards of mass, length, and volume in an ISO 17025 accredited metrology laboratory.
- Understanding of and experience in type approval (evaluation) of weighing and measuring instruments.
- Good negotiation skills in relation to dealing with third parties and the planning, booking and associated workflow activities.
- Confident in communicating to both a technical and non-technical audience
- Confident in using IT systems to manage workflows, prioritise work and to record and report on activities relating to the tasks assigned to the role.
- Ability to plan and record activities and to be able provide detailed reports, issue invoices and other administrative tasks associated with the work.
- Knowledge and experience in legal metrology.
- Ability to obtain "Key Technical Personnel" status under the Trading Standards ISO 17025 accreditation at external audit by International Accreditation New Zealand is essential.
- Must have a current New Zealand driving licence and be able to obtain an appropriate certificate to operate a fork lift.
- Must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.
Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables
Critical areas of success
- Working in collaboration with the Senior Technical Advisors in the Testing and Standards team and with the wider Trading Standards team to provide laboratory services and quality results which contribute to the Ministry’s outcomes.
- Maintaining the physical measurement standards for trade in New Zealand.
- Approving weighing and measuring equipment as suitable for use for trade.
- Contributing to implementing, maintaining and developing Quality Management Systems and operational procedures.
- Managing constructive working relationships with work colleagues and external stakeholders to enhance understanding and co-operation needed to achieve desired results.
- Supporting the education of businesses, the weighing and measuring industry, measurement users on their responsibilities under the weights and measures legislation.
- Supporting maintenance and general administration of Trading Standards National Type Approval and Metrology Laboratory functional capability.
Working relationships
- Responsibility for own behaviour and open to development.
- Modelling positive behaviours, desired values and culture of the organisation.
- Managing constructive working relationships with work colleagues and external stakeholders to enhance understanding and co-operation needed to achieve desired results.
- Delivering a targeted service to internal and external stakeholders, working to a high standard and always looking for ways to do things better.
- Identifying the needs or expectations of service users, meet deadlines and improve service delivery.
- Representing whole-of-Ministry views and protecting its reputation in any external interactions.
Wellbeing, health & safety
- Displays commitment through actively supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives.
- Ensures own and others safety at all times.
- Complies with relevant safety and wellbeing policies, procedures, safe systems of work and event reporting.
- Reports all incidents/accidents, including near misses in a timely fashion.
- Is involved in health and safety through participation and consultation.
Tō tūranga i roto i te Manatū – Your place in the Ministry
The Laboratory and Type Approvals Technician position reports into the Manager, Testing and Standards within the Market Integrity branch. The branch sits within the Te Whakatairanga group.
To mātou aronga – What we do for Aotearoa New Zealand
Hīkina Whakatutuki is the te reo Māori name for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Hīkina means to uplift. Whakatutuki means to move forward, to make successful. Our name speaks to our purpose, Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All.
To Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All, we put people at the heart of our mahi. Based on the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi, we are committed to upholding authentic partnerships with Māori.
As agile public service leaders, we use our breadth and experience to navigate the ever-changing world. We are service providers, policy makers, investors and regulators. We engage with diverse communities, businesses and regions. Our work touches on the daily lives of New Zealanders. We grow opportunities (Puāwai), guard and protect (Kaihāpai) and innovate and navigate towards a better future (Auaha).
Ngā matatau – Our competencies
Cultivates innovation We create new and better ways for the organisation to be successful by challenging the status quo generating new and creative ideas and translating them into workable solutions.
Nimble learning We are curious and actively learn through experimentation when tackling new problems by learning as we go when facing new situations and challenges.
Customer focus We build strong customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions by listening and gaining insights into the needs of the communities we serve and actively seeking and responding to feedback.
Decision quality We make quality and timely decisions that shape the future for our communities and keep the organisation moving forward by relying on an appropriate mix of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgement to make valid and reliable decisions.
Action oriented We step up, taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with purpose, urgency and discipline by taking responsibility, ownership and action on challenges, and being accountable for the results.
Collaborates We connect, working together to build partnerships with our communities, working collaboratively to meet shared objectives by gaining trust and support of others; actively seeking the views, experiences, and opinions of others and by working co-operatively with others across MBIE, the public sector and external stakeholder groups.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
As an agency of the public service, MBIE has a responsibility to contribute to the Crown meeting its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti). Meeting our commitment to Te Tiriti will contribute towards us realising the overall aims of Te Ara Amiorangi – Our Path, Our Direction, and achieve the outcome of Growing New Zealand for All. The principles of Te Tiriti - including partnership, good faith, and active protection – are at the core of our work. MBIE is committed to delivering on our obligations as a Treaty partner with authenticity and integrity and to enable Māori interests. We are committed to ensuring that MBIE is well placed to meet our obligations under the Public Service Act 2020 (Te Ao Tūmatanui) to support the Crown in strengthening the Māori/Crown Relationship under the Treaty and to build MBIE’s capability, capacity and cultural intelligence to deliver this.
Mahi i roto i te Ratonga Tūmatanui – Working in the public service
Ka mahitahi mātou o te ratonga tūmatanui kia hei painga mō ngā tāngata o Aotearoa i āianei, ā, hei ngā rā ki tua hoki. He kawenga tino whaitake tā mātou hei tautoko i te Karauna i runga i āna hononga ki a ngāi Māori i raro i te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ka tautoko mātou i te kāwanatanga manapori. Ka whakakotahingia mātou e te wairua whakarato ki ō mātou hapori, ā, e arahina ana mātou e ngā mātāpono me ngā tikanga matua o te ratonga tūmatanui i roto i ā mātou mahi.
In the public service we work collectively to make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders now and in the future. We have an important role in supporting the Crown in its relationships with Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi. We support democratic government. We are unified by a spirit of service to our communities and guided by the core principles and values of the public service in our work.
What does it mean to work in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Public Service?(external link) — Te Kawa Mataaho The Public Service Commission
