Science Technician

Education Authority (Northern Ireland); Lisburn; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Education Authority (Northern Ireland) is seeking a Technician 2 to provide technical support in school science laboratories. You will supervise staff, assist teaching staff with resources, and manage teaching aids and equipment to support the educational programme.

The role involves preparing materials, maintaining inventories, and ensuring health and safety compliance across the department, under the line manager and school principal. A background in science/lab environments is preferred.

Qualifications

• Five GCSEs (Grades A*-C) to include English Language, Mathematics and science.
• Proven effective planning and organisational skills and an ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Proven effective people management skills.
• Evidence of sound interpersonal and communication skills.
• Evidence of proficiency in the use of computer packages, to include use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Supervise appropriate staff and allocate duties.
• Provide on the job training to staff.
• Develop or maintain administrative systems and inventories.
• Assist in developing and manufacturing teaching aids and models.
• Prepare resources for classes and testing, set up and dismantle resources.
• Ensure equipment is stored safely and checked by qualified personnel.
• Advise on health and safety issues related to equipment.

Skills

Planning & Organisation

People management

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

MS Word, Excel, Outlook

Education

GCSEs incl English, Maths and Science

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Technician 2

REPORTS TO: School Principal through designated line manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Maximum of 5 staff

JOB PURPOSE To provide technical support and assistance to teaching staff in the implementation of the school's/department's educational programme.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervision This is a discretionary element of the job description. The grade may be awarded if supervision is not a component of the post.

• Supervise appropriate staff (shared supervision), including managing and allocating duties.
• Identify and provide on the job training to appropriate staff.
• Provision and Maintenance of Facilities and Practical Resources
• Assist teaching staff in developing and manufacturing teaching aids and models.
• Prepare resources for all classes including setting up, testing, demonstrating and dismantling suitable resources as per agreed schemes of work.
• Collect, clean and store all equipment and materials securely in designated storage areas. Ensure items are maintained in a state of 'ready for use'.
• Dispose of used materials in a safe and approved manner.
• Ensure that mandatory and/or statutory checks of materials and equipment are carried out by qualified personnel.
• Inform designated line manager of materials and equipment found to be in an
• unsatisfactory/unsafe condition and arrange for repair and disposal of such items.
• Ensure no unauthorised person has unsupervised access to equipment and materials when not in use.
• Advise on health and safety issues in relation to the use of equipment.

Administration

• Develop, maintain and operate manual and/or computerised systems in relation to administrative tasks associated with the area of work.
• Maintain an inventory/records of departmental resources.
• Assist in ordering/purchasing, receiving, checking, storing and distributing resources.

General

• Support all staff in ensuring the general safety of pupils.
• Assist with evacuation in emergencies.
• Undertake photocopying as required.
• Undertake any of the following duties:
• Handling cash in relation to the purchase of practical materials.
• Assisting with hospitality at meetings and school functions.
• Carrying out minor maintenance repairs throughout the school within the competence of the employee.

This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time. In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

• You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.
• You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
• The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
• Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
• Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
• In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria.

SECTION 1 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

Factor Essential Criteria Method Of Assessment Qualifications

Five GCSEs (Grades A*-C) to include English Language, Mathematics and science

Shortlisting by Application Form

Experience

A minimum of six month’s experience in a science or laboratory environment (industrial, medical or educational)

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge

• The requirements of a Technician 2
• Health and safety regulations, as relevant to the role of a science technician
• General administrative processes and records

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

Factor Essential Criteria Method Of Assessment Skills / Abilities

• Proven effective planning and organisational skills and an ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Proven effective people management skills
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team to achieve outcomes
• Evidence of sound interpersonal and communication skills
• Evidence of proficiency in the use of computer packages, to include use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Interview Values Orientation Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect the school’s values/ethos. You will find information about the school’s values/ethos on our school website

SECTION 3 - DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Factor Desirable Criteria Method of Assessment

Experience

Shortlisting by Application Form

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.

In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.

Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer