At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

Job description:

Overall Job Purpose:

The network technician must provide technical support and technical skills in the fault-finding, implementation, commissioning and maintenance of all the control system networks.​

Specific Job Responsibilities:

The specific tasks to be performed by the position holder will include;

• Act as first responder to copper network or fibre optic network related problems.
• Conduct reliability analyses on control system network.
• Implement new network solutions and improve resilience of the current network environment.
• Undertake data network fault finding investigations on the control system network utilising information from multiple sources e.g. ProfiTrace.
• Perform fibre optic equipment tests with OTDR’s, light source and appropriate test equipment
• Perform installation of fibre optic equipment and patch panels.
• Perform installation of network equipment; e.g. Scalance switches, Profibus repeaters, and fibre optic OLM’s.
• Understand, generate and update network drawings.
• Perform fibre optic splicing with aid of fiber splicing equipment.
• Any other tasks as may be delegated upon by the supervisor.

Job Specific Competencies:

• Troubleshooting on control system network and fibre networks.
• Understanding of communication protocols for Profibus-DP, Profibus-PA, and Industrial Ethernet.
• Understanding of Siemens network components e.g. repeater, diagnostic repeater, Scalance switches and Profibus terminating resistor units.
• Practical skill in Profibus DP and PA installations including network best practises.
• Must be able to use ProfiTrace for fault finding on Profibus networks.
• Understanding of fibre optic installation, testing and fault finding.

Key Job Attributes:

• Excellent communication skills, particularly the ability to communicate with staff who aren’t technically trained.
• Self-disciplined, motivated and organized.
• Must possess a basic understanding of control system topologies.
• Organisational skills and the ability to prioritise your workload.
• Ability to interact effectively across diverse cultures and at all levels.
• Ability to work un-supervised on different projects simultaneously.
• Ability to multi-task when executing different projects.

Experience required to perform in this job:

• 2+ years’ experience in fibre optic technology.
• 3+ years ‘experience in process control system networks.

Qualifications:

• Craft Certificate in Computer Science or any related field.
• Registered member of the Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ).