Science Technician 2

National Instruments; Craigavon; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

The Education Authority is seeking a Technician 2 to provide technical support in an Education Authority School. The role involves supervising staff, managing resources, and ensuring safe handling of materials under COSHH guidelines.

You will assist in developing teaching aids, preparing class resources, maintaining inventories, and supporting staff with health and safety responsibilities. The post emphasizes teamwork and adherence to school procedures.

Qualifications

• GCSEs A*-C including English Language and Mathematics or equivalent, or higher in science-related area.
• At least 1 year experience in staff supervision/management.
• Knowledge of Science Technician duties, health & safety, and basic admin processes.

Responsibilities

• Shared supervision of staff and allocation of duties.
• Ensure COSHH compliance and safe handling of materials.
• Assist development and manufacture of teaching aids and models.
• Prepare resources, set up, test, demonstrate and dismantle resources per schemes of work.
• Collect, clean and store equipment; maintain ready-for-use state.
• Ensure checks of materials/equipment by qualified personnel.
• Inform line manager of unsafe items and arrange repair/disposal.
• Assist with health and safety issues relating to equipment.
• Maintain inventories and administrative records for department resources.
• Assist ordering, receiving, storing and distributing resources.
• Support staff in pupil safety; assist evacuations; photocopying as required.
• Carry out minor maintenance repairs where within capability.

Skills

Planning & organising

People management

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

MS Office suite

Values orientation

Education

Five GCSEs (A*-C) inc English & Maths

Job description

EDUCATION AUTHORITY

GENERIC JOB DESCRIPTION

POST TITLE: Technician 2

GRADE: Spinal Points 11-14

LOCATION: An Education Authority School

RESPONSIBLE TO: The Principal through the designated line manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Maximum of 5 staff (see paragraph 1 below)

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

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. SUPERVISION
   1. Shared supervision of appropriate staff including the management and allocation of duties.
   2. Identification and provision of on the job training to appropriate staff.
   3. Note: This is a discretionary element of the job description. The grade may be awarded if supervision is not a component of the post.
2. Provision and maintenance of facilities and practical resources
   1. Ensure all chemical handling and storage comply strictly with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations and CLEAPSS / SSERC guidelines.
   2. Assist teaching staff in the development and manufacture of teaching aids and models.
   3. Preparation of resources for all classes including the setting up, testing, demonstration and dismantling of suitable resources as per agreed schemes of work.
   4. Collect, clean and store all equipment and materials securely in designated storage areas. Ensure items are maintained in a state of ‘ready for use’.
   5. Dispose of used materials in a safe and approved manner.
   6. Ensure that mandatory and/or statutory checks of materials and equipment are carried out by qualified personnel.
   7. 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.
   8. Ensure no unauthorised person has unsupervised access to equipment and materials when not in use.
   9. Advise on health and safety issues in relation to the use of equipment.
3. Administration
   1. Development, maintenance and operation of manual and/or computerised systems in relation to administrative tasks associated with the area of work.
   2. Maintenance of an inventory/records of departmental resources.
   3. Assistance in the ordering/purchasing, receiving, checking, storing and distribution of resources.
4. General
   1. Support all staff in ensuring the general safety of pupils.
   2. Assist with evacuation in emergencies.
   3. Undertake photocopying as required.
5. Technical staff may be required to undertake any of the following duties:
   1. Handling cash in relation to the purchase of practical materials.
   2. Assisting with hospitality at meetings and school functions.
   3. Carry out minor maintenance repairs throughout the school within the competence of the employee.

It is acknowledged that the contents of this generic job description are not subject to appeal.

Signatures:

____________________________________________________________________ Postholder Date

____________________________________________________________________ Line Manager Date

____________________________________________________________________ Principal Date

Evaluated: April 2000

PERSON SPECIFICATION

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

1. 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.

2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.

3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Qualifications: Five GCSE’s (Grades A*-C) to include English Language, Mathematics and subject specific specialism, or equivalent or higher level qualifications in an science related area.

Experience: A minimum of one year’s experience in the management and supervision of staff.

Knowledge: Demonstrable evidence of knowledge of:
- The requirements of a Science Technician 2
- Health and safety regulations, as relevant to the role
- General administrative processes and records

SECTION 2 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage.

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
• 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

Experience: A minimum of one year's experience of working in a subject specific related area such as:
- Previous experience as a science technician in a post-primary school;
- Previous experience working in a scientific laboratory setting

Hold a recognised qualification in Health and Safety.

Hold a recognised qualification in First Aid or demonstrate willingness to undergo training in First Aid.

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