Science Technician 2

Education Authority; Dromore; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional educational authority in Northern Ireland is seeking a Technician 2 to provide technical support and assist teaching staff. Responsibilities include supervising staff, maintaining educational resources, and ensuring pupil safety. The ideal candidate will have five GCSEs, including English Language and Science, and demonstrate effective planning and people management skills. This role offers a competitive salary and a supportive working environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable knowledge of health and safety regulations relevant to the role.
• Knowledge of general administrative processes and records.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and manage duties of assigned staff.
• Assist teaching staff with educational resources.
• Maintain inventory and administrative records.
• Ensure general safety of pupils and assist in emergencies.

Skills

Effective planning and organisational skills

People management skills

Interpersonal and communication skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Word

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook

Education

Five GCSEs (Grades A*-C) including English Language, Mathematics and Science

Job description

Overview

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.

Responsibilities

• Supervision: 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; 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; 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; carry out minor maintenance repairs throughout the school within the competence of the employee; handle cash in relation to the purchase of practical materials; assist with hospitality at meetings and school functions.

Terms and Conditions and Equal Opportunity

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.

Applicant guidance: confidentiality and behavioural guidelines, terms and conditions, and pre-employment checks apply as part of the recruitment process. Details of how to make payment for any required Enhanced Disclosure Certificate will be provided at the pre-employment stage. The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Person Specification

Notes to Job Applicants

• You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria for both essential and desirable criteria where relevant.
• Demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
• Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1, using the information provided on your application form.
• The selection panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants who most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
• In the event of an excessive number of applications, the panel may apply desirable criteria at shortlisting.

Section 1 – Essential Criteria

Five GCSEs (Grades A*-C) including English Language, Mathematics and Science, or equivalent or higher level qualifications.

• Knowledge: Demonstrable knowledge of the requirements of a Technician 2; health and safety regulations relevant to the role; general administrative processes and records.

Section 2 – Essential Criteria (Interview)

• Proven effective planning and organisational skills with 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.
• Sound interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proficiency in computer packages, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Values orientation: evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect the school’s values/ethos.

Section 3 – Desirable Criteria

• Experience: A minimum of one year’s experience working in a science-related area.

Disclosures

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people as ‘regulated activity’. If appointed to a post involving regulated activity, an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background will be required, and you will be expected to meet the cost of the check. Additional information can be found on NI Direct or the Department of Justice.