Science Technician 2

Education Authority; Omagh; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational institution in Northern Ireland is looking for a Technician 2 to provide technical support to teaching staff. The role involves supervising staff, maintaining resources, and ensuring health and safety regulations are followed. The ideal candidate should have GCSEs including English, Maths, and Science, and experience in staff supervision and management. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to the educational environment of the school.

Benefits

Equal Opportunities Employer

Guidance notes for applicants

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year's experience in management and supervision of staff.
• Experience of working in a Science laboratory is preferred.
• Understanding of health and safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to teaching staff.
• Supervise staff and allocate duties effectively.
• Maintain and prepare resources for classes.
• Assist in administrative tasks related to the area of work.
• Support general safety of pupils within the school environment.

Skills

Planning and organisational skills

Effective people management

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

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.

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.

Main Duties and Responsibilities – Supervision

Supervision: This is a discretionary element. 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 Responsibilities

• 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.

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 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

Following are essential criteria will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. Failure to demonstrate these criteria may result in you not being shortlisted.

• Qualifications: Five GCSEs (Grades A*-C) to include English Language, Mathematics and Science, or equivalent or higher level qualifications.
• Experience: Minimum of one year's experience in the management and supervision of staff.
• Knowledge:
  • The requirements of a Technician 2 – particularly in Science.
  • Health and safety regulations, as they are expected in a Science laboratory.
  • General administrative processes and records.

Section 2 – Essential Criteria (Interview)

• 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, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Values Orientation: Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect the school’s values and ethos. Information about the school’s values and ethos is available online.

Section 3 – Desirable Criteria

• Experience: Minimum of one year's experience of working in a Science laboratory or Science related area.

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 appointment to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. 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.

Applicant Guidance Notes

To view the applicant guidance notes and the benefits of joining the Education Authority, refer to the respective resources.

Equality and Diversity Statement

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

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.