Laboratory Technician

Newcomb Secondary College provides a vibrant and modern education that has a future-focused curriculum and holistic student wellbeing support. Established in 1969, the college takes pride in its rich history and its commitment to creating positive pathways for young people in Geelong. The college takes its name from the surrounding suburb which is named after one of the area's earliest settlers, Caroline Newcomb. For over 50 years, Newcomb Secondary College has been creating positive pathways for young people in Geelong.

Newcomb Secondary College caters to approximately 500 students in Years 7 to 12, largely from Newcomb, Whittington, St Albans Park, East Geelong, South Geelong, Moolap, Leopold, and the rural areas of the Bellarine Peninsula. The school offers a broad range of individualised goals and meets student needs through well-resourced literacy and numeracy supports and an emphasis on student voice and career action plans. The college has an outstanding range of VCE, VCE-VM, VET subjects, as well as offering School-Based Apprenticeships that build successful individual pathways for students. The school's partnership with local tertiary institutions, the Gordon and Deakin University, ensures that students benefit greatly from well-developed and innovative programs.

Newcomb Secondary College is proud to have been the first Australian-based school to offer a P-Tech Program. This program enables students to participate in corporate partner-supported pathways to learning and employment within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related industries. Through a partnership with the Gordon TAFE and key members of the Geelong business community, the College ensures that its school leavers are equipped with the skills needed for success in the workforce of the 21st century.

The College is committed to students maximizing their personal growth through broad participation in a range of extra-curricular programs. Students develop confidence, teamwork, and leadership through their involvement with the extensive sports program, academic challenges, instrumental music tuition, and the renowned Music and Bike Tours providing Newcomb students the chance for students to build their resilience, which often result in the forging of lifelong friendships.

Newcomb Secondary College is dedicated to establishing a school environment that allows its students to grow and thrive intellectually, emotionally, and socially.  The college's open and light-filled learning spaces, along with its inclusive atmosphere, impress visitors. The recent redevelopment of the college has led to the refurbishment of math classrooms and music program areas, a state-of-the-art STEM space, and a 128-seat auditorium, contributing to an excellent learning and teaching environment. The college provides valuable opportunities for students to develop confidence in their leadership ability as they work cooperatively with others. Community volunteer programs enrich student development and projects that enable students to work in and with their community. Sport is encouraged at all levels.  Throughout the school year inter-house competitions are held to foster and encourage teamwork and enthusiasm across the College. Our sporting houses are also named after prominent citizens - Harrison, Drysdale, Curlewis and Wills.

It is our belief at Newcomb Secondary College that students who enjoy (and aspire to have) rich and vibrant lifestyles, with access to holistic and proactive personal wellbeing supports, are the most likely to enjoy lasting success with their learning experiences and individual pathway outcomes. Providing this is how Newcomb Secondary College builds positive futures for all students. 

SC1  Demonstrated capacity to perform duties consistent with established guidelines and frameworks, including coordinating and supporting others in respect to specific work functions relevant to the role.

SC2  Demonstrated capacity to work and collaborate with others in a team environment.

SC3  Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively in a team environment, including high level oral and written communication skills.

SC4  Possess the technical knowledge and expertise relevant to the position.

SC5  Demonstrated capacity to provide advice and support to management and other school staff in respect to the work area.

SC6  A commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others.

Attendance is not required during school holiday breaks.

An education support class position at this range will perform tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice, and school policy under supervision and direction. This may include coordination of other education support class staff within the work area or educational program.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students but must not include duties of a teacher as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students can be required individually or in groups up to 4 in controlled circumstances and where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

Certification and/or qualifications of up to three years can be required at this level (noting that Registered Nurse is not included at this level, the first level for which is Level 1 range 3).

A role at this range may include:

• Specific support tasks to achieve outcomes. Typically, this will involve accountability for a single function, (e.g. ensuring data is properly maintained) or the co-ordination of a work area under the direction of the principal or a manager.
• Assisting teachers, within an educational program, by undertaking specific support tasks or the coordination of the support function.
• Supervised health and wellbeing support tasks, medical intervention support tasks, or other specialised student/teacher support roles (e.g. enrolled nurses performing the role as described in schedule 3). These roles require specific qualifications and/or training, including roles where further training must be undertaken from time to time. The role is for a specific purpose, for which there will be direct accountability as opposed to support roles that are carried out by a range of staff performing routine tasks under direction.
• Technical tasks that require a sound knowledge of basic technical and/or scientific principles that are used to develop and adapt work methods and make judgements where there are clear guidelines and limited options. Routine technical support in libraries, science, and information technology would be typical examples.

An education support class position at this range commencing at the base will initially be limited to undertaking routine tasks that are carried out under close supervision and direction. Work that carries some degree of independence will generally involve a limited number of tasks performed on a regular basis where priorities are clear, procedures are well established, and direction is readily available. Subject to any specific qualification and/or training requirement, an education support class employee employed in this range may be progressively required to undertake coordination, specialised student/teacher support tasks, or technical tasks as experience in the role is gained.

• Conducts routine scientific procedures and/or data collection, collation, and analysis
• Applies basic scientific principles to enable the performance of a variety of interrelated technical tasks
• Provides specialised knowledge that is relied upon to deliver support services, under direction (e.g. information technology and technical support in science laboratories, food technologies and libraries)
• Contributes to a small project team providing technical support to a school/s
• Conducts training and/or instruction with respect to scientific processes
• Prepares experiments or use of equipment and conducts demonstrations, where required, under direct supervision
• Undertakes relevant occupational health and safety requirements and, where necessary, risk assessments within the relative work area
• Undertakes low/medium risk tasks as defined by the Departmental Risk Matrix or its successor

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via *******@education.vic.gov.au

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:

 https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:

 https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx