Laboratory Technician & First Aid Officer - ES 1-3

Department of Education Victoria; Colac; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Education Victoria Colac is seeking a dedicated professional to support science laboratories, first aid, and essential school administration. The role focuses on safe lab practices, student wellbeing, and efficient stock management within a dynamic school environment.

You will assist teachers, manage lab resources, and coordinate with leadership to ensure compliance and smooth daily operations for students and staff in Colac.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of safe laboratory practices, chemical handling, SDS maintenance and OH&S.
• Ability to provide first aid and student care in a school setting, with accurate record-keeping.
• Experience using digital systems for compliance and admin tasks (eduSafe, eSchools ordering, Compass).
• Strong organisational skills to manage stock, equipment and deadlines.
• Excellent communication and teamwork across staff, students and families with confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Science Laboratory: prepare, set up and pack down practical lessons; maintain benches and equipment.
• Maintain a safe lab: chemical storage, SDS, chemical register updates, waste disposal.
• Maintain inventory: stock levels, deliveries, ordering and stocktakes.
• Provide timely first aid and student health support, liaising with parents when required.
• Support compliance with OH&S and school policies; liaise with leadership on health matters.

Skills

Science Laboratory Support

First Aid and Student Care

Administrative and System Capability

Organisation and Time Management

Communication and Teamwork

Tools

eduSafe

eSchools ordering

Compass

Job description

Department of Education Victoria – Colac VIC

1d ago , from Department of Education & Training Victoria

The Colac Otway Shire is a richly diverse area located two hours west of Melbourne. Colac Otway is one of the most picturesque municipalities in Victoria, covering a diverse area from volcanic lakes, craters and plains in the north, through the hinterland forests of the Otway Ranges to the Great Ocean Road coastline. Colac is the key industrial, commercial and service center for the shire and surrounding region with a population of 22,370. Colac Secondary College is the largest state secondary school in the shire. It is an important educational hub for the Colac township and surrounds.

Our core business at Colac Secondary College is student learning, and we have an unrelenting focus on achieving 12 months learning growth in 12 months for every student. We empower our students to aim and aspire for success and to achieve their individual educational pathways. We promote the development of emotional intelligence for every student so that our students are equipped to become respectful and responsible members of the community.

The College is committed to a school improvement focus that extends and transforms teaching and learning to promote high levels of academic achievement. Our teachers provide an inclusive and personalised program to meet the diverse range of student learning needs. A differentiating curriculum approach supports students in their learning growth.

We are committed to building students¿ potential for success and wellbeing through strong partnerships that emphasise all aspects of life that relate to the holistic development of a students¿ talents, interests, and goals. We pride ourselves in providing an environment that is conducive to each child achieving their personal potential.

Student wellbeing is seen as critical in empowering students with the social and emotional competencies to experience success and happiness in their lives. A comprehensive student wellbeing structure is in place throughout the College that focuses on student care. These teams coordinate a series of inclusive programs that build student self-worth, personal identity and relationships of mutual respect. We effectively monitor and compassionately support students at all levels of the College regarding their individual and collective wellbeing needs.

Selection Criteria

KSC1. Science Laboratory Support

Demonstrated knowledge of safe laboratory practices, including chemical handling, storage procedures, SDS maintenance, stock control and compliance with OH&S requirements.

KSC2. First Aid and Student Care

Demonstrated capacity to provide first aid support in a school setting, including responding to student needs, maintaining accurate records, communicating with parents/guardians and exercising sound judgement in sensitive situations.

KSC3. Administrative and System Capability

Proven ability to use digital systems effectively to support operational compliance and administration, including experience with platforms such as eduSafe, eSchools ordering, Compass or similar systems. Demonstrated accuracy in maintaining records and processing documentation.

KSC4. Organisation and Time Management

Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing tasks, manage stock control and ordering processes, maintain equipment and ensure compliance deadlines are met.

KSCS. Communication and Teamwork

Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with teaching staff, leadership, students and families while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.

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

• Science Laboratory Support
  • Support science teachers by preparing, setting up and packing down practical lessons, including cleaning benches, equipment and workspaces.
  • Maintain a safe laboratory environment, including:
    • Appropriate chemical storage, handling and labelling
    • Maintenance of Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
    • Management and regular updating of the chemical register
    • Safe chemical and laboratory waste disposal procedures
  • Clean, maintain and organise laboratory equipment, glassware, consumables and storage areas.
  • Monitor stock levels and coordinate the ordering and replenishment of laboratory supplies.
  • Receive deliveries, maintain inventory records and undertake regular stocktakes.
  • Maintain accurate records relating to laboratory resources, equipment maintenance and compliance requirements.
  • Create and maintain educational displays within the Science building.
  • Assist in maintaining a safe and healthy laboratory environment by following Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) and risk management procedures.
  • Assist with the implementation of safety procedures and risk assessments associated with science practical activities.
• First Aid and Student Health Support
  • Provide timely and appropriate first aid assistance to students and staff throughout the school day, in accordance with school policies, procedures and relevant training.
  • Respond to student illness, injuries and medical incidents as required, including prioritising urgent first aid needs alongside laboratory requirements.
  • Accurately record student presentations, first aid treatments, injuries and incidents in the school's relevant recording systems.
  • Monitor and supervise students attending the First Aid Room, ensuring appropriate care and supervision arrangements.
  • Contact parents/guardians when required regarding student illness, injury or medical concerns.
  • Coordinate student collection and sign‑out procedures in accordance with school processes.
  • Maintain the First Aid Room in a clean, safe, organised and appropriately equipped condition.
  • Monitor first aid supplies, coordinate replenishment of materials and regularly check expiry dates.
  • Assist in maintaining accurate and confidential student medical information, health management plans and relevant care documentation.
  • Liaise with school leadership and relevant staff regarding serious medical incidents, student health concerns or recurring patterns of illness and injury.
  • Assist with the implementation of student health management procedures and emergency medical responses, consistent with relevant training and school requirements.
  • Support compliance with Department and school policies relating to student health, first aid, medication management and medical emergencies.

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 (see Workplace 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

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.

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's 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