Technician 1 - Science and Home Economics

Education Authority; Omagh; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional educational organization in Northern Ireland is hiring a Technician 1 to provide technical assistance and maintain resources for teaching staff. The role requires at least one year of experience as a Science or Home Economics technician and five GCSEs including English and Mathematics. Strong organizational and communication skills are also essential for this position.

Benefits

Equal Opportunities Employer

Comprehensive employee benefits

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year’s experience as a Science or Home Economics technician.
• Demonstrable knowledge of health and safety regulations relevant to the role.
• Understanding of general administrative processes and record keeping.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to teaching staff.
• Prepare and maintain resources for practical classes.
• Assist with the ordering and administration of materials.
• Support general safety of pupils during school activities.
• Handle cash related to practical material purchasing.

Skills

Planning and organisational skills

Interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Team collaboration

Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Education

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

Job description

Overview

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

Under the direction of the designated line manager the post holder will be responsible for the following in accordance with appropriate regulations:

• 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
  • 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.

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. To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, see the Education Authority website.

Person Specification

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 should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.
• 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

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.

Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Qualifications

Five GCSE’s (Grades A*-C) to include English Language, Mathematics, Science, Home Economics, or equivalent higher level qualifications

Shortlisting by Application Form

Experience A minimum of one year’s experience as a Science or Home Economics technician.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge Demonstrable evidence of knowledge of:

• 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.

Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Skills / Abilities

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: The Omagh High School website

Interview

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 Science and Home Economics subject area.

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 appointment 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

To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here.

To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer