Ed Support Level 1-Range 3 Laboratory Support

Government schools; Barwon Downs; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Lorne P-12 College in Victoria's Great Ocean Road region is seeking a Laboratory Support staff member to assist in delivering practical science experiences for students from Prep to Year 12. The role focuses on preparing experiments, maintaining laboratory safety, and supporting teachers during practical work.

You will work in a dynamic, inclusive learning community with a strong emphasis on equity and inclusion, and contribute to a range of programs that promote hands-on STEM and responsible

Qualifications

• Strong laboratory skills and experience with scientific equipment.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational ability.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Program preparation & set up: Set up and arrange equipment, materials and supplies for experiments and practical sessions.
• Laboratory maintenance: Maintain laboratory equipment, liaise with external stakeholders for maintenance and supplies, ensure a clean and safe environment.
• Safety and compliance: Adhere to OHS requirements, safe storage of chemicals, MSDS documentation, and risk assessments.
• Teacher support: Assist teaching staff with practical work, manage materials and equipment allocation.
• Administrative tasks: Catalogue equipment locations and follow ordering procedures.

Skills

Lab skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Teamwork

Job description

Ed Support Level 1-Range 3 Laboratory Support

Lorne P-12 College is a dynamic and inclusive learning community situated on Victoria's iconic Great Ocean Road. Our vision is to empower every student to thrive in a safe, respectful, and inspiring environment where learning is engaging, purposeful, and future focused. We are committed to fostering the values of respect, resilience, integrity, and excellence in all that we do. Our school values ofPersonal Best, CooperationandRespectensure that every student is supported to reach their highest potential and challenged to become the best version of themselves.

As a P-12 college, we offer a seamless educational journey from Prep through to Year 12, fostering strong relationships, consistent expectations, and a deep understanding of each learner's needs. Our small school setting creates a close-knit and supportive environment where every student is known, valued, and celebrated. The college currently has an enrolment of approximately 170 students and a dedicated team of over 30 staff, including teachers, education support staff, wellbeing officers, and members of the leadership team.

Located in the coastal town of Lorne, our school draws students from the immediate township, nearby coastal areas, and surrounding rural communities. Due to its unique geographic location, the college plays a central role in the life of the local community and serves as a key hub for social and educational connection in the region.

Lorne P-12 College is characterised by a diverse student population and a strong commitment to equity and inclusion. We proudly support our students through differentiated teaching, individual learning plans, targeted wellbeing programs, and a range of vocational and academic pathways. Our innovative curriculum combines academic rigour with real-world relevance and is continually evolving to reflect best practice in contemporary education.

Notable features of the college include a strong emphasis on student voice and leadership; a diverse range of face-to-face VCE studies; and access to Virtual Schools Victoria, the Victorian School of Languages, and the Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES). We offer a broad selection of VET courses on-site, including Cookery, IT, and Music, alongside access to additional programs through local TAFEs and industry partners. Students from Year 10 onwards are engaged in school-based apprenticeships, supporting real-world learning and career pathways. The college also delivers an award-winning VCE Vocational Major program and integrates our unique coastal setting into the curriculum through Coast Sustainability and a strong Marine Biology program. Recent upgrades to our facilities have been designed to support innovative, future-focused learning experiences.

Location Profile

Lorne P-12 College is a dynamic and inclusive learning community situated on Victoria's iconic Great Ocean Road. Our vision is to empower every student to thrive in a safe, respectful, and inspiring environment where learning is engaging, purposeful, and future focused. We are committed to fostering the values of respect, resilience, integrity, and excellence in all that we do. Our school values ofPersonal Best, CooperationandRespectensure that every student is supported to reach their highest potential and challenged to become the best version of themselves.

As a P-12 college, we offer a seamless educational journey from Prep through to Year 12, fostering strong relationships, consistent expectations, and a deep understanding of each learner's needs. Our small school setting creates a close-knit and supportive environment where every student is known, valued, and celebrated. The college currently has an enrolment of approximately 170 students and a dedicated team of over 30 staff, including teachers, education support staff, wellbeing officers, and members of the leadership team.

Located in the coastal town of Lorne, our school draws students from the immediate township, nearby coastal areas, and surrounding rural communities. Due to its unique geographic location, the college plays a central role in the life of the local community and serves as a key hub for social and educational connection in the region.

Lorne P-12 College is characterised by a diverse student population and a strong commitment to equity and inclusion. We proudly support our students through differentiated teaching, individual learning plans, targeted wellbeing programs, and a range of vocational and academic pathways. Our innovative curriculum combines academic rigour with real-world relevance and is continually evolving to reflect best practice in contemporary education.

Notable features of the college include a strong emphasis on student voice and leadership; a diverse range of face-to-face VCE studies; and access to Virtual Schools Victoria, the Victorian School of Languages, and the Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES). We offer a broad selection of VET courses on-site, including Cookery, IT, and Music, alongside access to additional programs through local TAFEs and industry partners. Students from Year 10 onwards are engaged in school-based apprenticeships, supporting real-world learning and career pathways. The college also delivers an award-winning VCE Vocational Major program and integrates our unique coastal setting into the curriculum through Coast Sustainability and a strong Marine Biology program. Recent upgrades to our facilities have been designed to support innovative, future-focused learning experiences.

Selection Criteria

SC1 - Appropriate qualification for leading the work of a school science laboratory

SC2 - Demonstrated high level organisational, time management and planning skills

SC3 - Demonstrated high level communication and interpersonal skills

SC4 - Demonstrated understanding of OHS requirements of leading the work of a safe science laboratory in a school setting

SC5 - Demonstrated ability to strengthen and grow as exceptional science practical experiment support program which allows students and staff to access high quality resources to support their learning

SC6 - Demonstrated skills in the use of modern digital technologies as relevant to a school laboratory setting

Role

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.

The provision of business management responsibilities becomes a feature at range 3.Management of staff to achieve the expected outcomes is a key responsibility.Staff management issues will be resolved with minimal reference to senior management, although guidance will be required in more complex cases.Senior management will be provided with timely reports and advice, although this will generally be confined to matters relating to the immediate work area, service provision or educational program and is unlikely to impact substantially on whole of school operations.

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 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.

Responsibilities

Program preparation & set up:

• Set up and arrange equipment, materials and supplies forexperiments andpractical sessions as per curriculum requirements.
• Packupand store equipment appropriately.
• Prepare chemical solutions and analytical tools for use in the classroom and laboratory.

Laboratory maintenance:

• Maintain (including cleaning, calibration, and servicing) laboratory equipment for experiments and demonstrations.
• Liaise with external stakeholders for the maintenance and acquisition of equipment/chemical supplies.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment, following all safety protocols and guidelines.
• Inventory management, including ordering and restocking supplies, chemicals, materials and equipment as needed.

Safety and compliance:

• Adhere to OHS and compliance requirements, especially in relation to the safe storage of chemicals, appropriate labelling, and preparation of experiments.
• Implement measures for safe handling/storage/disposal of hazardous substances in accordance with relevant regulations.
• Maintain MSDS and other appropriate documents.
• Update and implement operational guidelines and practices for the laboratories.
• Conduct safety audits and maintain and replace any PPE when necessary.
• Keep a data bank of all Risk Assessment forms.

Teacher support:

• Liaise and provide assistance to teaching staff on their needs for practical work and maintain an efficient system for use and allocation of materials and equipment.
• Assist teachers and students during laboratory sessions, providing guidance and support as needed.
• Address technical issues and help troubleshoot equipment-related problems.
• Collaborate with teaching staff to enhance the effectiveness of laboratory activities.
• Demonstrate use and care of specialised equipment and apparatus to teaching staff and studentswhen required.

Administrative tasks:

• Catalogue and record location of equipment and materials.
• Following DE ordering procedures in the purchasing of program equipment, materials and supplies.

Required Attributes and Skills:

Dispositions

• An openness to learning in all situations.
• A passion and enthusiasm for promoting STEM education and inspiring a love of science in others.
• A strong commitment to teamwork.
• Collaborative participation in professional relationships and conversations.
• Understanding the need for accountability.
• Passion for the environment, conservation and sustainability.

Attributes

• Strong laboratory skills and experience working with scientific equipment and instruments.
• Excellent attention to detail, creative and strong organizational skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to engage with visitors of all ages.
• Self-motivated, flexible, adaptable and able to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Confidence and enthusiasm about the students and teachers in the centre.

Who May Apply

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

Diversity and Inclusion

The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, 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 safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (seeWorkplace adjustment guidelines).

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

Child Safe Standards

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

DE Values

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

Conditions of Employment

• 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 https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal