Science Laboratory Technician (Range 3)

Science Laboratory Technician at CHES: The new Centre for Higher Education Studies

This is an outstanding opportunity to join the new Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES) as a full-time and ongoing member of staff. There are two state-of-the-art science laboratories for Chemistry and Biology at CHES as well as two Physics/STEM classrooms. We are specialising in senior secondary programs, including VCE Sciences. 

CHES has been established as a centre of excellence in programs for high-achieving and high-ability senior secondary students across Victoria and our programs commenced for students across Victoria in January 2023. 

Please contact Stewart Milner, Principal of CHES, for more information about CHES and to discuss this exciting role further or to arrange a visit to the CHES facility by calling 0411 615 *** or emailing **************@education.vic.gov.au. 

Our website: https://ches.vic.edu.au/

CHES is a new co-educational, purpose-built centre where high-achieving and high-ability students can find the support, structure and space to extend their learning beyond a standard VCE program. CHES offers a suite of programs for senior students from across Victoria¿s government schools through our state-of-the-art facility and high-quality university-standard laboratories. CHES has been established by the Victorian Government to engage and meet the needs of their high-ability students and to be a catalyst for new ways of learning that bridge traditional secondary and tertiary study.

A hub to enrich and celebrate student learning

The state-of-the-art CHES facility is a four-storey building located at 669 Chapel Street in South Yarra and features an auditorium, outstanding science laboratories and design rooms, recording studios, and a professional learning space. Additionally, CHES provides general-purpose classrooms and a distinctive study space, atrium and rooftop terrace.

Our unique curriculum programs

CHES is a senior secondary provider with a specific purpose, and we offer selective VCE subjects and Higher Education Studies.

In partnership with universities, CHES offers Higher Education Studies, which are first-year university subjects that allow students to gain ATAR points and university credits while completing their VCE studies. CHES also offers VCE subjects to students across Victoria. 

Students participating in CHES programs remain enrolled at their secondary school and are supported to undertake a program through CHES as part of their VCE program. Working in close partnership with students¿ base schools, students are enrolled in a CHES course for a fraction of their timetable (typically students will study just one or two subjects with us) with the remainder of their enrolment and timetable reflecting the subjects being completed at their base school.

Additional partnerships

CHES has established partnerships with a foundation network of five local schools (Mac.Robertson Girls¿ High School, Melbourne Girls¿ College, Melbourne High School, Prahran High School and Richmond High School) and those schools will be able to deliver their own VCE classes within the CHES facility when our spaces are not fully utilised for CHES programs. A major aspect of the Science Laboratory Technician position is the support of practical activities and experiments conducted at CHES by VCE Science Teachers from the network schools, as well as implementing seminar days each term with the Universities. The role includes close planning, preparation and implementation of Science activities in conjunction with the teaching staff and academics. 

Our aims

The overarching strategic objectives of CHES are to:

• improve access to tertiary courses and strengthen tertiary pathways for students
• making available enrichment and extension opportunities to further stretch and challenge senior students
• provide additional opportunities for academic stretch and challenge to high-achieving and high-ability students in rural and regional areas and those in priority cohorts.

Access to CHES

CHES is a new 4 storey state-of-the-art facility with university-standard resources, located centrally on Chapel Street in South Yarra. Consistent with other inner city vertical schools, there is no staff car parking available on-site but there is convenient access through a range of public transport options nearby.

SC1        Demonstrated experience and skills in coordinating a high functioning Science Laboratory.

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

SC3        Possess the technical knowledge and expertise relevant to this position.

SC4        Demonstrated capacity to provide advice and support to the school leadership team in respect to the science area.

SC5        Demonstrated commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others.

SC6        Demonstrated understanding and commitment to the structure and programs offered at the Centre for Higher Education Studies.

Range 3 is distinguished by the introduction of management responsibility and accountability for the delivery of professional support services. The role will usually impact beyond the work area or professional field. It seeks to gain cooperation of other staff members or members of the school community to achieve specific objectives, such as in school administration, operations or educational programs.

Direction on targets and goals is provided but the position will have some degree of latitude in determining how they are achieved. This latitude will generally be limited by standard procedures and school policy.  Deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.

This is the minimum range for positions that carry a mandatory qualification requirement of not less than four years.  Professional student support positions become a feature at Range 3 (e.g. therapists, psychologists) where standard professional services are delivered.  Professional support and guidance will be close at hand and deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.

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 employees position or involves supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

This is a full-time ongoing position at the new Centre for Higher Education Studies. The start date can be negotiated with the successful candidate. 

Key Responsibility Areas:

• Provide specialist advice, under supervision of senior personnel, to students in relation to the handling and use of materials and equipment including provision of services to students and staff at CHES.
• Advise and assist staff in safety matters relating to a specific functional area, e.g., handling of chemicals in a Science Laboratory, in accordance with DET Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Substances Policy and Procedure, and in consultation with the OH&S committee.
• Assist with the provision of a reference service to teachers.
• Develop and implement safety procedures within work and/or teaching areas in accordance with school policy and relevant safety legislation.
• Advise teachers about technical components of curriculum implementation.
• Manage experiments and/or use of equipment and materials under the supervision of teachers and provide basic instruction where required
• Provide technical support to the Science Domain and should possess qualifications and/or skills which are relevant to science, particularly in the field of chemistry.
• Have the capacity to take on responsibility, work independently and possess good organizational skills.

Under the direction of the Principal, Assistant Principal or Science Leader, a Science Laboratory Technician will provide technical support to the staff and students of CHES.

General

• The timely preparation and clearing away of equipment and materials for Science classes including for network schools.
• Liaise with Science teaching staff on their needs for practical sessions including for network schools.
• When necessary, trial experiments to ensure they work appropriately and are safe.
• Make recommendations for improvement of activities based on observations and experience of similar activities in previous classes.
• Preparation of solutions, stains and media for use in the laboratory including for network schools.
• Preparation of materials for dissections including for network schools.
• Specialist cleaning of laboratory equipment and work areas (not general classroom cleaning).
• Advise Science teaching staff on technical components of the curriculum.
• Assist Science teaching staff with demonstrations, when required.
• Assist Science teaching staff in instructing students on use/care of equipment during Science experiments.
• Maintain an adequate stock of class materials, equipment and chemicals.
• Manufacture simple glassware/general equipment for laboratory use.
• Service, clean and perform simple repairs on laboratory apparatus/equipment, or arrange for specialist attention.
• Remove unsafe equipment, or materials, from use.
• Care for flora and fauna within the Science area, in accordance with current handling and prevention of cruelty regulations.
• Collect and maintain living specimens, in accordance with regulations.
• Collect off-campus scientific materials and field samples.

Safety

• Employ safe work practices in the laboratory by applying current Occupational Health and Safety legislation.
• Advise and assist Science teaching staff in safety matters, including risk assessments and control of hazards involving practical activities relating to Science.
• Maintain safety equipment and supplies (Personal Protective Equipment, PPE) in Science areas.
• Safe storage and disposal of biological residues in accordance with current regulations.
• Review and assess teacher completed risk assessments.
• Assess, document and review risks and control procedures for hazards presented by materials and processes used in the preparation of experiment requests.
• Complete and maintain a Chemical Register per current OH&S requirements including the maintenance of an MSDS file for all chemicals.

Administration

• Work and maintain effective systems for use, allocation and maintenance of Science rooms, materials and equipment, setting a priority system if necessary.
• Assist with security of Science rooms and equipment.
• Maintain an inventory of equipment and chemicals.
• Maintain an up-to-date Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Substances manifest.
• Manage an effective system of labelling, storage, stocktaking and ordering of equipment and chemicals.
• Support the management the Science Class Materials budget.
• Liaise with organizations and industries for the purpose of acquiring equipment, etc.
• Liaise with the other Campus, and other schools, to share resources.
• Provide assistance to network schools in the implementation and acquisition of materials for classes.
• Other duties as required by the Principal of CHES.
• Attend any necessary science, whole staff, and Education Support Staff meetings.

There will be some occasional attendance required outside of regular school hours for University seminar days and recognition of this will be applied through Time-in-Lieu. 

These duties could vary from time to time resulting from new legislation, changes to technology or policy and procedure, and in the context of any changes, appropriate training may be given, as required, to undertake the new/varied role.

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

The Department of Education and Training 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.

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

• 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