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 Specialist must provide technical support in the design and development phase and provide technical skills in the implementation, commissioning and maintenance of the control system network.
• They need to identify requirements and short comings in the control system network and develop functional and design specifications for the control system networks and various other network components.

Specific Job Responsibility

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

• Assist in conducting reliability analyses on control system network,
• Assist in designing and implementing of new network solutions and improve resilience of the current network environment,
• Assist in data network fault investigations on the control system network utilising information from multiple sources e.g. ProfiTrace,
• Coordinate fiber installation and splicing activities with other departments.
• Perform fiber tests with OTDR’s, light source and meters.
• Perform installation of fiber optic equipment and patch and panels.
• Perform installation of network equipment e.g. Scalance switches, repeaters, and OLM’s.
• Assist in generating and updating of network drawings,
• Assist in coordinating and executing proactive development and implementation measures to improve operations and end user satisfaction
• Assist in coordinating and executing test environments and perform customer factory acceptance tests
• Coordinate, execute, liaise and provide formal / informal user network training that may be conducted on Sentinel site
• Understand the control philosophy of the process plant
• Any other tasks as may be delegated upon by the supervisor.

Job Specific Competencies

• Troubleshooting on control system network and fiber networks,
• Good knowledge and understanding of communication protocols for Profibus-DP, Profibus-PA, and Industrial Ethernet,
• Understanding of Siemens network components e.g. Repeater, diagnostic repeater, Scalance and terminating resistor units,
• Working knowledge of Industrial DCS, PLC, SCADA and HMI systems will be advantageous
• Practical skill in Profibus DP and PA installations including network best practises,
• Must be able to use ProfiTrace for fault finding on Profibus networks,
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office software
• Working knowledge of Windows computer systems
• Working knowledge of installation and commissioning of Engineering control systems in a process plant environment will be advantageous
• Understanding of fiber 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,
• Ability to perform troubleshooting on Profibus-DP/PA networks,
• Ability to perform troubleshooting on Ethernet networks
• Ability to perform troubleshooting on fiber optic networks,
• Must possess a basic understanding of control system topologies,
• Exceptional skills in the ability to prioritize workload
• Ability to work un-supervised on different projects simultaneously
• Organisational skills and the ability to prioritise your workload.

Experience required to perform in this job

• 2+ years Fibre Optic splicing experience;
• 3+ years control system network experience
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in industrial automated control systems

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer or Electrical Engineering or related qualification;
• Registered member of the Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ)
• Ability to register as a member of the Engineering Registration Board of Zambia (ERB)