Senior Science Technician (Part-Time)

Teaching Vacancies; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 33,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Supportive working environment

Continuous professional development

Free on site car parking

Employee assistance programme

Easy access to Birmingham city centre

Enrichment and extracurricular – DoE,,

Job summary

Bartley Green is seeking a part-time Senior Science Technician to join the Science Department in Birmingham. The role focuses on preparing and maintaining practical resources, maintaining stock levels and supporting safety across biology, chemistry and physics experiments.

The successful candidate will supervise the Science Technician, work with the Head of Science, and ensure compliance with health and safety policies and CLEAPSS guidance. Prior school laboratory experience is advantageous.

Qualifications

• A strong foundation in safety-focused practical science suitable for secondary school.
• Experience supporting practical science across Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
• Experience organising resources, maintaining records and managing stock.
• Experience supervising or supporting technician staff and coordinating workloads.
• Experience preparing materials for public examinations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain practical resources, equipment, chemicals and materials for lessons and exams.
• Manage stock and equipment, supporting purchasing and budget planning.
• Carrying out safety checks and ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements and CLEAPSS guidance.
• Provide leadership and guidance to technician staff and work with Head of Science to ensure effective service.

Skills

Organisational skills

Scientific apparatus handling

Follow procedures & risk assessments

Identify hazards & risk control

Equipment maintenance & minor repairs

Stock control & inventories

ICT for records & admin

Written & verbal communication

Independent working with initiative

Team collaboration

Supervise technician staff

Prioritisation & adaptability

Education

General education incl. literacy & numeracy

Scientific knowledge for secondary school practicals

Willingness to undertake training & CPD

Safeguarding/health and safety training

Relevant science/lab/technical qualification

Health & safety / lab technician training

CLEAPSS training or equivalent safety training

First-aid qualification or training willingness

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

• Good practical scientific knowledge and an understanding of safe laboratory working practices.
• Knowledge of the safe handling, storage and disposal of chemicals and scientific materials.
• Understanding of the importance of risk assessment and appropriate control measures.
• Understanding of the importance of maintaining accurate stock and inventory records.
• Awareness of health and safety responsibilities within a laboratory or practical working environment.
• Understanding of confidentiality and data protection.
• Understanding of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities when working in a school.
• Knowledge of CLEAPSS guidance and its application within school science.
• Knowledge of COSHH requirements and relevant health and safety legislation.
• Understanding of the practical requirements of the secondary science curriculum and examinations.
• Knowledge of appropriate procedures for preparing solutions, cultures, slides, specimens and other practical science materials.

EXPERIENCE

• Experience of practical science, laboratory or technical work, or demonstrable experience that provides equivalent relevant skills.
• Experience of safely handling equipment, materials and/or chemicals.
• Experience of organising resources, maintaining accurate records and managing stock.
• Experience of working effectively as part of a team.
• Previous experience as a Science Technician or Senior Science Technician in a secondary school.
• Experience of supporting practical work across Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
• Experience of supervising, coordinating or supporting the work of other staff.Experience of ordering equipment and consumables and contributing to budget management.
• Experience of maintaining and carrying out minor repairs to scientific equipment.
• Experience of preparing practical materials for public examinations.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to plan, prioritise and manage workload effectively.
• Ability to prepare scientific apparatus, equipment, chemicals and materials accurately and safely.
• Ability to follow technical instructions, procedures and risk assessments.
• Ability to identify hazards and take appropriate action to minimise risk.
• Ability to maintain equipment and undertake appropriate minor repairs.
• Ability to maintain accurate inventories, stock-control systems and other records.
• Good ICT skills and the ability to use technology for record keeping, communication and administrative tasks.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently using initiative while recognising when advice or authorisation is required.
• Ability to work collaboratively and develop positive working relationships with teaching and support staff.
• Ability to supervise, organise and support the work and development of technician staff.
• Ability to remain organised and respond appropriately when priorities change.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A good standard of general education, including literacy and numeracy.
• Relevant scientific knowledge sufficient to support practical work across a secondary school Science Department.
• Willingness to undertake relevant training and continuing professional development.
• Willingness to undertake required safeguarding, health and safety and school training.
• A relevant science, laboratory or technical qualification.
• Relevant health and safety, laboratory or technician training.
• CLEAPSS-related training or equivalent school science safety training.
• First-aid qualification or willingness to undertake training.

APTITUDES

• A careful, methodical and safety-conscious approach to work.
• Reliable, punctual and well organised.
• Proactive and able to use initiative.
• Approachable, supportive and able to work positively with others.
• A commitment to maintaining high professional standards.
• Good attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise appropriate professional judgement.
• Willingness to contribute flexibly to the wider work of the Science Department and school.
• Commitment to equality of opportunity and treating others with dignity and respect.
• Commitment to the school’s ethos, aims and values.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Willingness to participate in appraisal, training and continuing professional development.

LEADERSHIP AND SUPERVISION

• Ability to plan and coordinate the deployment of technician support according to departmental priorities.
• Ability to provide clear direction, support and guidance to technician staff.
• Ability to identify and support training and development needs.
• Ability to work constructively with the Head of Science and teaching staff to ensure an effective technical service.
• Ability to model high standards of professionalism, safety and working practice.

ADDITIONAL

• Willingness and ability to carry out the practical requirements of the role safely.
• Willingness to work in accordance with all school policies and procedures, particularly those relating to safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, equality, confidentiality and data protection.
• Suitability to work with children and young people, subject to the school’s required safeguarding and pre-employment checks.

What the school offers its staff

We are seeking to appoint an organised, knowledgeable and proactive part-time Senior Science Technician to join our Science Department.

The successful candidate will provide high-quality technical support for practical science lessons and examinations, ensuring that equipment, chemicals and materials are prepared, maintained and used safely. You will also supervise the Science Technician and work closely with the Head of Science to ensure the effective day-to-day running of the department’s technical provision.

Key responsibilities include preparing and maintaining practical resources, managing stock and equipment, supporting purchasing and budget planning, carrying out safety checks, and ensuring compliance with relevant health and safety requirements and CLEAPSS guidance.

We are looking for someone with strong practical and organisational skills, a good understanding of laboratory health and safety, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience in a school science department, laboratory or similar technical environment would be advantageous.

The successful candidate will be committed to high professional standards and to supporting the ethos, aims and values of the school.

'Warm and respectful relationships characterise life at this school. Pupils are happy and safe. Pupils value the support staff give them.' Ofsted, March 2023.

Strong effective teaching and a stimulating environment characterise our school. Children of all abilities experience success, progress well, develop feelings of self-worth, and participate in a variety of interesting, enriching experiences in and out of the classroom. Our pupils are supported to grow into responsible, self-disciplined young people ready for the next stage of their lives. We welcome staff who are enthusiastic and enjoy working hard with and for our young people. In return, we invest hugely in staff support and development.

Bartley Green offers its staff benefits including

• a supportive working environment and team ethos,
• continuous professional development opportunities,
• free on site car parking,
• employee assistance programme,
• easy access to Birmingham city centre and the Worcestershire countryside
• Enrichment and extracurricular - able to get involved in a wide range of activities from Music, to Sports, to DoE.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.