Technician 1

Education Authority; Downpatrick; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Part time

Job summary

Education Authority in Downpatrick seeks a Technician 1 to provide technical support for teaching staff and manage resources for demonstrations and practical work. The role involves preparing materials, setting up equipment, and maintaining safety standards within the school environment.

The post is part-time (18 hours per week) with flexible working options during school holidays and a starting hourly rate in the NJC scale.

Qualifications

• Five GCSEs (A*-C) including English and Maths or equivalent
• Proven knowledge of health and safety regulations
• General administrative processes and records
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook

Responsibilities

• Prepare, organise and construct resources for demonstrations and exams
• Set out equipment for class use and store after use
• Maintain inventory/records of departmental resources
• Assist with ordering, receiving, storing and distribution of resources
• Support staff in pupil safety and evacuations
• Undertake minor maintenance and housekeeping duties as needed
• Carry out cash handling for materials purchases and assist at meetings

Skills

Health and safety

Administrative skills

Teamwork

Education

GCSEs including English & Maths

Equivalent qualifications

Tools

Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Job Reference

Technician 1 (Job Reference: 26006663)

Primary Location

Down-Downpatrick-Ardmore House Special School

Contract Type

Permanent

Duration of Contract/Contract End Date

N/A

Status

Part-Time

Contract Options

Flexible working arrangements available during school holidays (E.g. Option 1, 2, 3)

Hours per Week

18

Working Pattern

TBC

Grade/Scale

Technician 1 | NJC Pts 5 - 8 | £13.6288 - £14.2897 per hour

Additional Allowance(s)

Not Applicable

Anticipated Interview Date(s)

30/09/26

Additional Information

.

Job Description

Job Title

Technician 1

Reports To

School Principal through designated line manager

Job Purpose

To provide technical support and assistance to teaching staff in the implementation of the school's/department's educational programme.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Provision and Maintenance of Facilities and Practical Resources

• Prepare, organise and basic construction of resources for teacher demonstrations and practical examinations.
• Set out equipment and materials for class use and remove same when class is complete.
• Collect, clean and store equipment and materials 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

• Operation of manual and/or computerised systems in relation to administrative tasks associated with the area of work.
• Maintain an inventory/records of departmental resources.
• Assistance in the ordering/purchasing, receiving, checking, storing and distribution of resources.

General

• Support all staff in ensuring the general safety of pupils.
• Assist with evacuation in emergencies.
• Undertake photocopying as required.

Technical staff may be required to 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.

Flexible Working Options Available

Option 1

You are required to be on duty during school term plus two additional weeks. The timing of the two additional weeks is at the discretion of the Principal of the school.

Option 2

You are required to be on duty for the contracted weekly hours, working during periods of school closure except when on annual leave or other authorised absence. Duties will normally be provided by the school. However, where necessary, alternative work and/or training will be provided by the Authority at any other such place of employment as may be reasonably required.

Option 3

To work as for option 2 with a further option to request periods of unpaid leave during extended school holidays or closures.

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.

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.

Five GCSE’s (Grades A*-C) to include English Language, Mathematics and subject specific specialism, or equivalent or higher level qualifications

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge

• The requirements of a Technician 1
• Health and safety regulations, as relevant to the role
• General administrative processes and records

Shortlisting by Application Form

Section 2 - Essential Criteria

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

Proven effective planning and organisational skills and an ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines

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

Interview

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

Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Experience

A minimum of one year's experience of working in a role related to Technician duties

Shortlisting by Application Form

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.

Applicant Guidance Notes

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer