Science Technician

Altrincham College; Trafford; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

A local educational institution seeks a Technician to support the Science department by delivering and setting up equipment, maintaining supplies, and ensuring safety procedures. Applicants need A-Level qualifications in Science and experience in a practical environment. This position offers 26 days of holiday, pension scheme membership, and various on-site benefits.

Benefits

Holiday entitlement of 26 days

Membership of the Greater Manchester Pension Scheme

Free on-site parking

On-site canteen facilities

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a practical science-based environment.
• Familiarity with CLEAPPS and/or COSHH regulations.
• Willingness to undertake training and stay updated.

Responsibilities

• Delivering and collecting equipment from classrooms and laboratories.
• Assembling practical equipment and materials for lessons.
• Ensuring the safe use, storage and stock levels of chemicals.

Skills

Good communication skills

Ability to work on own initiative

Ability to organise and prioritise tasks

Proven ability to demonstrate experiments

Understanding of health and safety

Education

A-Level(s) in Science subject(s)

Relevant professional/health & safety qualifications

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

We seek to appoint an enthusiastic candidate to work as a Technician supporting the Science department in delivering the practical aspects of Science courses across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. Duties will include (but are not limited to):

Responsibilities

• Delivering and collecting equipment from classrooms and laboratories.
• Checking and restocking classroom and laboratory glassware and equipment.
• Assembling practical equipment and materials for specific lessons as requested.
• Cleaning equipment and glassware where necessary.
• Maintaining a tidy and organised workspace.
• Supporting health and safety within the Department.
• Assisting and advising teaching staff.
• Carrying out computer-based administrative tasks as directed (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Repairs and maintenance of equipment.
• Safely handling chemicals (training provided).
• Safely disposing of used materials including hazardous substances.
• Ensuring the safe use, storage and stock levels of chemicals, equipment and other materials.
• Carrying out risk assessments for technician activities.
• Manufacturing simple apparatus and performing basic repairs.
• Ensuring the security of school equipment and property.
• Delivering and setting up apparatus in laboratories and removing it at the end of lessons.
• Contributing to assessment, monitoring and review of the Department's Health & Safety procedures.

General requirements and expectations

• Under the guidance of the Senior Science Technician, coordinate the use of practical resources and facilities to meet the science curriculum needs.
• Ensure availability of suitable materials and equipment and manage conflicting demands on equipment, resources and room allocation; advise staff of changes as necessary.
• Compile equipment and resource requests, including sourcing, costing and suggesting economical alternatives to maintain stock levels.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the curriculum to meet changing requirements.
• Deliver and set up apparatus in laboratories and supervise clean-up after lessons.
• Use technical experience to develop practicals for the curriculum appropriate to student needs.
• Support lower school pupils during practical activities when time allows; carry out practical demonstrations as requested.
• Support KS3/4/5 coursework with technical advice in consultation with teachers.
• Advance planning of A-Level practical experiments, including sourcing, planning and trialling to ensure classroom reliability.
• Support students during A-Level coursework, including demonstrations and guidance.
• Use initiative to assess requests for equipment and suggest improvements to teaching staff; devise alternative procedures if current requests are unsuitable.
• Advise teachers on Health & Safety issues relevant to practical activities and improve safe delivery.
• Be able to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
• Contribute to safeguarding, attendance and professional standards as required.

Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• A-Level(s) in Science subject(s) (Essential).
• Relevant professional/health & safety qualifications (Essential).
• Experience of working in a practical science-based environment (Essential).
• Experience of setting up and maintaining apparatus, chemicals and equipment, including hazardous materials (Essential).
• Experience of working in a school environment (Desirable).
• Procedures for preparation, use and maintenance of materials and equipment up to A-Level standard (Essential).
• Awareness of health and safety issues relating to school science; awareness of CLEAPPS and/or COSHH regulations (Essential).
• Understanding of Health & Safety and Risk Assessments (Essential).
• Working knowledge of the secondary science curriculum (Desirable).
• Proven ability to demonstrate experiments and techniques to colleagues and students (Essential).
• Good communication skills and ability to relate to young people and provide technical assistance (Essential).
• Ability to work on own initiative, organise and prioritise tasks; flexible team player (Essential).
• Willingness to undertake training and stay updated on issues relevant to the role (Essential).
• IT skills (Desirable).

Attitude and benefits

• Smart, professional appearance with a positive, proactive approach to continuous improvement.
• Ability to work with energy, resilience and effectiveness in a busy school environment.
• Holiday entitlement of 26 days, plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 31 days after five years of service.
• The post is based on 25.75 hours per week; salary and overtime terms per the school’s policy.
• Membership of the Greater Manchester Pension Scheme.
• Free on-site parking and on-site canteen facilities.
• Staff room with free refreshments; Employee Assistance Programme; Occupational Health and Counselling services.
• Support from a talented, highly motivated team and active Governing Bodies and Senior Leadership Teams; CPD opportunities available.

Achieve and Learn Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.