Senior Science Technician Bath, England
Job description
Role title
SENIOR SCIENCE TECHNICIAN
Grade
Grade 5, points 11 - 15
Line Manager Curriculum Team Leader, Science
Date March 2023
Role purpose To provide specialist technical and administrative support, practical assistance and
advice to teaching staff and students in the Science Department. To include more
advanced work with post-16 examination courses and ensuring the safe and proper use
and maintenance of resources and equipment.
To take responsibility as required for the supervision, training, development and
organisation of other science technicians.
Duties and
responsibilities
1. Preparation, organisation and delivery of practical equipment to classrooms for
use by staff and students in lessons, open evenings and other appropriate school
functions as and when required.
2. Provide specialist and technical support to teaching staff and students on the
safe and economic use of equipment and materials (including electrical
equipment), working with teaching staff in the creation and design of new
teaching resources and materials.
3. Demonstrate, advise and assist in practical activities and support practical
experiments in the classroom where necessary, for example assisting a more
complex practical at post 16, under the direction of teaching staff.
4. Ensure that preparation rooms and all equipment used are kept clean, tidy and
in a safe condition and ensure that Health and Safety and other relevant
regulations and guidance (CLEAPS, COSHH regulations and school procedures)
are adhered to at all times. This may involve taking a lead role in routine and
non-routine checking procedures, updating risk assessments and proactively
contributing to the assessment, monitoring and review of Health and Safety
procedures and policies.
5. Ensuring that maintenance, calibration, cleaning and fault investigation of
equipment is carried out to the required standard. Seek specialist assistance
when necessary, in order to ensure safe and efficient maintenance and
operation of equipment.
6. Take responsibility for the safe storage of equipment and materials and the
disposal of waste and hazardous materials, according to the relevant
regulations, guidelines and school procedures and in line with Health and Safety
good practice as described above.
7. Establish and maintain records of stock levels and loans of equipment and
materials and undertake annual stocktaking, ordering new stocks, supplies or
equipment, taking receipt of materials and equipment delivered and passing
invoices for payment.
8. Take responsibility where required for petty cash and the purchase of relevant
items locally when authorised, assessing the availability of suitable alternatives in
line with best value principles and maintaining records of transactions and
expenditure in accordance with the schools financial guidelines.
9. Take responsibility for the supervision, organisation, training and recruitment of
other designated science technicians, with particular emphasis on the
prioritisation of workloads and passing on knowledge and experience gained to
other technicians as required. Play a proactive role in developing the skills and
experience of other technicians and in promoting ‘best practice’ in all aspects
of the work requirements.
10. Assist in using IT and AVA equipment associated with Science teaching to
include data loggers and laptops, ensuring the availability and security of
equipment used.
11. Assist with the issue and return of textbooks, organising cover and undertake
other appropriate clerical duties when necessary.
12. To train as a first aider and to take part in the school first aid rota as required.
13. You may be required at times to work at other Palladian Academy Trust schools.
As a term of your employment you may reasonably be expected to perform duties of a
similar or related nature to those outlined in the job description.
This job description will be reviewed and updated periodically in order to ensure that it
relates to the job performed, or to incorporate any proposed changes. This procedure
will be conducted by the Headteacher/Manager in consultation with the postholder. In
these circumstances it will be the aim to reach agreement on reasonable changes, but
if agreement is not possible management reserves the right to make changes to the job
description following consultation.
Key Contacts
and
relationships
Daily interaction with teaching staff, students and other support staff; also contact with
external suppliers and contractors, as required.
Attendance to department meetings, as required, in order to act as a link between staff
and technicians.
Regular interaction with the Curriculum Team Leader regarding the management of
resources and personnel.
Physical Effort Lifting and movement of resources and equipment will often be required, using trolleys
where appropriate.
Working
Environment
There are currently 8 Science laboratories at Ralph Allen School and several prep
rooms. Work is normally undertaken within classrooms, laboratories or prep rooms.
There may be some use of chemicals or toxic materials and/or some use of power
tools or other potentially harmful equipment.
Person
specification Essential
1. A positive work ethic and ability to problem solve and work under pressure to
tight deadlines.
2. Good interpersonal literacy and numeracy skills with the ability to work as a
member of a team and demonstrable evidence of leadership qualities.
3. In depth knowledge of Health and Safety and other relevant policies and
procedures.
4. Enthusiasm for education and working in a school with students.
5. IT skills including Microsoft applications, use of email, internet, etc.
Desirable
1. Three year’s applied scientific practical experience working as a technician, with
evidence of in-service training and development.
2. Previous experience working as a technician in a secondary school.
3. An academic, technical or vocational qualification in the relevant subject area
to at least GCSE ‘A’ level standard, or equivalent.
4. Previous staff supervisory experience.
Additional
information
The postholder will at times have access to information of a confidential nature and it is
essential that the successful applicant is aware of the need for discretion.
The postholder will at all times carry out his/her duties and responsibilities with due
regard to the Governors' support of and commitment to Equal Opportunities Policies.
The postholder will be expected to undertake any appropriate training provided
by the school to assist them in carrying out any of the above duties.
The postholder will be required to promote, monitor and maintain health, safety
and security in the work place. To include ensuring that the requirements of the
Health & Safety at Work Act, COSHH, and all other mandatory regulations are
adhered to.
Ralph Allen School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this
commitment. A satisfactory DBS check is required for this post prior to
commencement. The postholder will be expected to contribute to the protection
of children as appropriate, in accordance with any agreed policies and/or
guidelines, reporting any issues or concerns to their immediate line manager.
Term time only
