Science Laboratory Technician - Es1-2

At Staughton College our aim is to foster a culture where students develop academically, socially and personally to become the best versions of themselves. We strive to have every student show more than a year¿s learning growth every year. We believe that this is achievable with the right support, and effort, across our whole school community.

It is an expectation that staff at Staughton College develop strong relationships and trust to collaboratively improve student learning growth. Our staff are enthusiastic, passionate and relentless in using our pedagogical model to do this.

At Staughton College we work hard to ensure that students are dynamic members of our community. Student empowerment is encouraged across the school, both within the classroom and in extracurricular and leadership activities. Students are expected to be active learners who know, and use, high impact strategies to improve their learning. Through our Staughton Student Matrix we explicitly teach, and deliberately reward, key positive behaviours that improve student learning, effort and respect.

SC1    Demonstrated experience and skills in coordinating a specific education support function.

SC2    Demonstrated capacity to supervise the work of other support staff and to develop procedures and guidelines relating to the work area.

SC3    Demonstrated 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 in respect to the work area.

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

Time Fraction for this position is NEGOTIABLE. Hours of Work 8:00- 4:06pm - subject to change.

Attendance requirement up to 3 days during school vacations.

Performs and/or supervises tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice and school policy.  This may include the supervision and coordination of other education support class staff within the work area or educational program.  Supervision and coordination would be limited to ensuring routine tasks are performed to required standards.  Input into identifying training needs and development of education support class staff within the work area or educational program becomes an important feature at range 2.

Specialised support to achieve specific outcomes is a feature of range 2.  Typically this will involve accountability for a single function, (e.g. ensuring data is properly maintained) or the operation of a work area (e.g. managing the day to day operation of a school office) under the direction of the principal or another senior manager.

Provides support to teachers and students that is beyond the routine support provided at education support class Level 1, range 1.  Within an educational program assists teachers with the coordination of the support function, such as directing/organising the work of other support staff or providing a specialist support role. 

Undertakes medical intervention support tasks or other specialised student/teacher support roles that require specific training that must be updated 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.

Performs 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 laboratories would be typical examples.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students, but must not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor.  Supervision of students cannot be required except where it is an integral part of the employee's position or involves supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

• Manage the use and maintenance of equipment within a work area.
• Ensure security is maintained within a work area.
• Manage procedures relating to the hiring of school buildings and equipment in accordance with school policy.
• Manage procedures relating to the maintenance of specialist collections, e.g. library resource material and collections.
• Evaluate and select equipment and materials and make recommendations to senior management.
• Develop procedures relating to the use and maintenance of equipment and materials.
• Coordinate the purchase of equipment and materials.

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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/protect/Pages/childsafestandards.aspx

The Department’s employees commit to upholding DET’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DET’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 DET values is available at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/Public-Sector-Values.aspx

Typical duties of a Science Laboratory Technician 

• Report directly to the Curriculum Leaders.
• Liaise with science/art teaching staff on their needs for practical work and maintain an efficient system for use and allocation of materials and equipment, setting a priority system where necessary.
• Assist science teaching staff in instructing students on use/care of equipment during science experiments.
• Assist science teaching staff in safety matters relating to the Science Laboratory.
• Attend appropriate professional development.
• Storage of equipment and materials, maintenance of laboratory equipment and the specialist cleaning of equipment, preparation areas in rooms.
• Maintain storerooms ensuring as far as practicable that these areas are kept clean and tidy.
• Assist in caring of animals and plants in the science area in accordance with current DET handling and animal ethics guidelines.
• Maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and Risk Assessment forms of chemicals as used in School Laboratory. Including any OHS requirements.
• Assist with the overall organisation and maintenance of laboratories, preparation areas and rooms.
• Dispose of hazardous materials, including chemical residues, deteriorated stock and biological waste, according to DET guidelines.
• Assist staff and technical staff in safety matters relating to the science laboratories.
• Complete stock takes as required.
• Knowledge of art equipment (Kiln, printing tools, ceramic tools, painting mediums etc) and resources for these.
• Prepare and operate equipment in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines and school policy.
• Assist teachers in relation to their students¿ equipment needs.
• Use of computers both for record keeping and as used in classrooms.
• Complete risk assessments for all solution preparation in the laboratory
• Other duties as directed by the Principal or Assistant Principal.

• 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