Agricultural Engineering Technician at Sikri Technical and Vocational College for the Blind and Deaf

 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position is responsible in the provision of technical support to the lecturer in charge of the section, contributing to trainees' learning experience by assisting with the preparation of equipment and machinery for practical work to promote understanding of course work and innovation. Specific duties and responsibilities include:

• Supervise Assistant Technicians/Attendants to ensure smooth workshop operations, and conduct periodic performance appraisals to track implementation of individual work plans and improve the effectiveness of staff under this position.
• Provide hands-on technical support to trainers and trainees in solving practical and technical problems during agricultural engineering training sessions, ensuring practicals are conducted efficiently and learning objectives are achieved.
• Maintain overall charge of all tools, equipment, and machinery in the agricultural engineering workshop; manage inventory by receiving, issuing, and tracking tools and materials; and ensure sufficient stock is available and well-organized for easy traceability at all times.
• Requisition consumables in a timely manner to prevent shortages, and organize them systematically to ensure they are easily traced and readily accessible to support uninterrupted agricultural engineering workshop operations.
• Prepare and implement a maintenance schedule for all workshop equipment and machinery for approval by the section head, and maintain accurate and up-to-date servicing records to ensure the schedule is strictly adhered to and all equipment remains in optimal working condition.
• Promptly report any breakdown of agricultural engineering equipment and machinery to the section head to inform replacement decisions, and provide accurate technical procurement specifications for equipment to be purchased to guarantee acquisition of the correct and suitable items.
• Observe, enforce, and promote health and safety procedures in the workshop; ensure all accidents are promptly reported to the section head; and segregate non-functional equipment and machinery to eliminate potential hazards and maintain a safe training environment. 
• Supervise regular cleaning of the agricultural engineering workshop and all equipment therein to maintain general cleanliness, ensure proper care of tools and machinery, and provide a safe and conducive environment for training and practical sessions.
• Advise the section head on the budgetary requirements of the workshop and actively provide input in the budgeting process by proposing the equipment, machinery, and materials required, ensuring all workshop needs are adequately captured and funded in the institutional budget.
• Ensure all workshop operations, tool usage, equipment handling, and safety practices comply with relevant occupational safety and health regulations as well as institutional and TVET authority standards, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and operational excellence.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the authority from time to time

ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Applicants must hold a Diploma in any of the following fields; Agricultural Engineering, Farm Machinery & Power Technology, Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Agricultural Mechanization, Mechatronics Engineering (with bias in agricultural applications), Mechanical Engineering (Plant Option), General Agriculture (Engineering Option), Land and Water Management, Environmental and Natural Resources Management, Renewable Energy Technology (with bias in agricultural applications) or an equivalent from a recognized institution,
• Computer literacy with proficiency in MS Office applications and basic engineering software
• Knowledge of the Occupational Safety and Health Act including Knowledge of environmental regulations governing agricultural engineering practices in Kenya
• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience in agricultural engineering, farm mechanization, workshop operations, or a closely related field, preferably in a TVET institution or agricultural machinery environment