PERMANENT ACADEMIC SUPPORT VACANCY: LABORATORY (LAB) TECHNICIAN

Old School Ties; Pietermaritzburg; Presencial; ZAR 167.000 - 234.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School is seeking a Laboratory Support/Technician to set up and maintain classroom and lab equipment for Physical Science and Life Sciences. You will prepare materials, maintain inventories, and support teachers in practical demonstrations.

Your role requires attention to safety, accuracy in records, and the ability to work with students and staff. A Grade 12 with science subjects is essential; additional lab training is advantageous.

Formación

• Minimum requirement is Grade 12 with merit in Physical Science and Life Sciences
• A suitable tertiary qualification that includes practical laboratory training would be an advantage
• Experience in chemical solution preparation and use of specialist equipment
• Excellent scientific and technical knowledge and good IT skills
• Ability to compile and maintain inventory
• The ability to cope with competing demands
• Knowledge of laboratory health and safety procedures
• Strong communication skills – ability to relate to both staff and students
• Ability to plan and organise work and to work independently
• Strong practical and organisational skills with the ability to manage your own workload

Responsabilidades

• Set up and pack away experiments and demonstrations required by the various department staff (Physical Science, Life and Natural Sciences)
• Prepare equipment and chemicals before lessons – from test tubes to microscopes
• Ensure that equipment is properly cleaned and that chemicals, drugs and other materials are appropriately stored
• Record and dispose of equipment and chemicals which are unusable
• Collecting fresh plant matter and animal material
• Making up solutions and reagents
• Liaise with Heads of Subjects regarding equipment and chemical requirements
• Obtain quotes, order, and take receipt of equipment and chemicals as required
• Purchase and collect any consumables required for practical work
• Maintain annual inventories and manage general stock control for equipment and chemicals
• Liaise with academic staff to discuss timetables and work plans
• Maintain and repair equipment and laboratory apparatus
• Support teachers in classes and lab sessions and give technical advice
• Ensure health and safety procedures are understood and followed
• General academic administrative support functions including text book control, invigilation, typing, exam support, attending meetings and events

Conocimientos

Communication

Organization

Independent work

Health and safety

IT skills

Educación

Grade 12 with merit in Physical Science and Life Sciences

Tertiary qualification with lab training

Herramientas

Laboratory equipment

Inventory management

Chemistry lab practices

Descripción del empleo

Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School is a leading school for girls, which provides education from Grade 8 to Grade 12. The school has consistently been rated as one of the Top 25 Government Schools within South Africa. The school was founded in 1920 and continues to provide an outstanding education for young women in the academic, cultural and sporting fields.

As a school, our mission is to promote human dignity and equal opportunity, the maximum freedom of the individual within the context of the maximum good for all, excellence according to the talent and interest of each person, a sound set of values, service, a respect for community and environment, a commitment to the search for truth, the acquisition of knowledge and the development of skills.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Set up and pack away experiments and demonstrations required by the various department staff (Physical Science, Life and Natural Sciences)
• Prepare equipment and chemicals before lessons – from test tubes to microscopes
• Ensure that equipment is properly cleaned and that chemicals, drugs and other materials are appropriately stored
• Record and dispose of equipment and chemicals which are unusable
• Collecting fresh plant matter and animal material
• Making up solutions and reagents
• Liaise with Heads of Subjects (Physical Sciences, Life and Natural Sciences) with regards to requirements for equipment and chemicals
• Obtain quotes, order, and take receipt of equipment and chemicals as required
• Purchase and collect any consumables required for practical work
• Maintain annual inventories and manage general stock control for equipment and chemicals which must be updated regularly
• Liaise with academic staff to discuss timetables, equipment requirements and work plans
• Maintain and repair equipment and laboratory apparatus
• Support the work of teachers in classes and laboratory sessions and give technical advice
• Ensure that all health and safety procedures are understood and followed correctly
• General academic administrative support functions including text book control, invigilation, typing, exam support, attending meetings and events etc.

Necessary qualifications and skills would include:

• Minimum requirement is a Grade 12 certificate with merit pass in Physical Science and Life Sciences (Biology) at Grade 12 level
• A suitable tertiary qualification that includes practical laboratory training would be an advantage
• Experience in chemical solution preparation and use of specialist equipment
• Excellent scientific and technical knowledge and good IT skills
• Ability to compile and maintain inventory
• The ability to cope with competing demands
• Knowledge of laboratory health and safety procedures
• Strong communication skills – ability to relate to both staff and students
• Ability to plan and organise work and to work independently
• Strong practical and organisational skills with the ability to manage your own workload

All GHS staff are expected to:

• Perform all of their duties with integrity and diligence.
• Project a professional demeanour and appearance at all times.
• Develop positive relationships with members of the GHS school community, which includes parents, learners and colleagues.
• Support and uphold the ethos of the school as contained in the Mission Statement.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 25 OCTOBER 2026

Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School reserves the right not to fill this position.

If you have not been contacted by the school within two weeks of the closing date, please consider your application to have been unsuccessful.

Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.