Title: Science Laboratory Technician
Department: Senior School
Reports to: Senior School Principal
Interfaces with: students, parents, faculty and staff
Term of contract: full time, academic year
Start date: August 22nd, 2025
Salary range: $43,000 - $50,000
The School
Stratford Hall, an independent, K-12 IB World School, invites applications from individuals who wish to join our dynamic team. Located in Vancouver, BC, the School is home to over 540 students and over 100 teachers and support staff. Our graduates attend the top post-secondary schools in Canada, the US and abroad. Stratford Hall is one of the few IB continuum schools in Canada and has a rich tradition of educational excellence in the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes.
Position Rationale and Goal
The Science Laboratory Technician ’s role is to support teaching and learning in our Senior School Science program. Working closely with an experienced team of teachers, the Science Lab Technician is responsible for the day-to-day preparation of teaching materials, including lab set-up and practical demonstrations, as well as for the maintenance of lab spaces, resources and equipment. This position will commence once filled.
While our Senior School offers IB Diploma Programme Chemistry, Biology, and Physics, the ideal candidate for this role will have particular experience with Biology and Chemistry. The department has three well-equipped science labs and a dedicated prep room, where the lab technicians are based. Science is also occasionally taught in regular classrooms.
Working collaboratively with teachers and other support staff, and under the management of the Senior School Principal, the Science Laboratory Technician supports teachers by assisting students with learning tasks, organizing the learning environment, providing pastoral care for students, and/or performing other duties as assigned by teachers or the Principal. As a key member of the staff, the Science Laboratory Technician contributes to the development and overall improvement of the School. The Science Laboratory Technician is an important part of the school community, interacting with colleagues from across the school.
Candidate Profile
The Stratford Hall faculty and staff developed a profile to capture our priorities as educators.
I Am a Stratford Hall Educator
- I Pursue Knowledge
- I Listen to Understand
- I Build Bridges
- I Model Adaptability
- I Cultivate Safe Spaces
Qualifications
- Must be a Canadian resident and legally entitled to work in Canada (citizen, PR, or valid work permit)
- Minimum of High School diploma or equivalent
- Successful experience working in a laboratory setting
- Hold or be willing to obtain an age appropriate First Aid Certificate
- Able to obtain clean criminal record check, including Vulnerable Sector Search
Preferred Experience And Qualities
- Undergraduate Degree or qualification in Biology or Chemistry
- Experience working in a laboratory environment in a school setting
- Experience working with adolescents in a school, camp, or community-based setting
- Knowledge and understanding of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years and/or Diploma Programme
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
- Strong organisational, communication, administrative and interpersonal skills
- The ability to prioritise assignments, meet deadlines and manage workloads of others
- Proficiency in various computer applications (Word, Excel, Google Workspace)
Key Responsibilities
Supporting teachers
- Work with science teaching staff to ensure that they can safely and effectively use departmental equipment
- Collaborate with teachers to develop and execute laboratory activities that meet curricular objectives and promote enthusiastic engagement in science learning
- Provide training and reminders as necessary to ensure that all lab safety guidelines are adhered to
- Keep current with equipment catalogues in order to notify department members of significant developments
- Maintain required Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all substances stored within the laboratories and inform faculty, students, and the Risk and Safety Manager of notable changes
Supporting students as required
- Work directly with students in small groups or one to one in order to reinforce concepts and skills introduced by the teacher and implement instructional programs designed by the teacher
- Provide supervision and support for students using labs outside of class time (ie for independent investigations for DP courses)
- Support students so they can be actively engaged in their own learning
- Accommodate the individual needs of students as directed
- Co-curricular duties: sponsor or assist with two clubs/activities (two out of three terms during the year), which will meet after school or during lunch
- Actively supervise students during recess, lunch break, or at other times as required
Preparing for and supporting during lessons and experiments
- Prepare teaching resources and materials according to teacher requests
- Provide in-class support to teachers and students during experiments and practical lessons
- Work with Students to help them develop experiments for independent investigations and extended essays
Maintaining lab and storage spaces and equipment
- Ensure that laboratories, chemical storage, and preparation areas are tidy and well-organized
- Ensure that all apparatus and chemicals are stored correctly
- Clean and arrange for routine repair or maintenance of equipment
- Ensure correct storage and maintenance of data logging equipment
Managing consumable resources and inventory
- Maintain an up-to-date inventory of all equipment and materials, including service dates and contacts
- Arrange for the correct disposal of waste materials
- Maintain an up-to-date inventory of chemicals, and ensure that supplies are regularly reviewed and replenished
- Liaise with the Science Curriculum Coordinators and other science lab technicians for resource orders
Professional appraisal and development
- Engage in professional development
- Actively participate in constructive professional appraisal
- Seek and act upon constructive feedback and advice
Involvement in the wider school community
- Take an active role within the school community by making a conscious effort to interact with all staff and be aware of current school events and initiatives
- Positively support school initiatives organized by staff, students or parents through active participation and promotion within classrooms
- Promote school unity by attending staff social functions when possible
- Attend special events such as Meet the Teacher Night, concerts, sports day, etc., as required
- Attend school camps, experience trips and field trips as required
- Attend and actively participate in scheduled meetings
- Take an active involvement in committees and co-curricular activities
- Take positive action to ensure the school is clean and well maintained, classrooms are neat and attractive and displays in classrooms and general purpose areas reflect the pursuit of excellence
At times the Laboratory Technician may be requested to take on further duties as requested by their supervisor or the school administration.
Application Process
Interested applicants should complete our online application process with a cover letter and resume.
We thank all applicants for their interest in working at Stratford Hall. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. This position will remain open until filled.
We are committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce by ensuring a barrier-free work environment. We welcome applications from all qualified job seekers, including applicants from historically underrepresented groups such as BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color), persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ (persons of all sexual orientations and genders). If you are an applicant with a disability and require accommodation in either the recruitment process or on the job, we will work together with you to provide the reasonable workplace accommodation you need.