Science Technician 2 in Downpatrick

Primary Location: Down-Downpatrick-Down High School

Contract Type: Permanent

Status: Full-Time, Part-Time and Job-Share posts available

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

Hours per Week:

• Post 1 - 36 hours per week Biology Technician
• Post 2 - 26 hours per week Physics Technician

Working Pattern: Monday to Friday

Grade/Scale: Technician 2 | NJC pt 11 - 14 | £14.9917 - £15.7367 per hour

JOB DESCRIPTION

REPORTS TO: School Principal through designated line manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Maximum of 5 staff

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:

• Supervision: Supervise appropriate staff (shared supervision), including managing and allocating duties. Identify and provide on-the-job training to appropriate staff.
• Provision and Maintenance of Facilities and Practical Resources: Assist teaching staff in developing and manufacturing teaching aids and models. Prepare resources for all classes including setting up, testing, demonstrating and dismantling suitable resources as per agreed schemes of work. Collect, clean and store all equipment and materials securely 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: Develop, maintain and operate manual and/or computerised systems in relation to administrative tasks associated with the area of work. Maintain an inventory/records of departmental resources. Assist in ordering/purchasing, receiving, checking, storing and distributing resources.
• General: Support all staff in ensuring the general safety of pupils. Assist with evacuation in emergencies. Undertake photocopying as required. 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.

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: 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.

SECTION 1 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Qualifications: Five GCSE’s (Grades A*-C) to include English Language, Mathematics and subject specific specialism, or equivalent or higher level qualifications.
• Experience: A minimum of one month's experience working as a Science Technician in a post primary school.
• Knowledge: Demonstrable evidence of knowledge of the requirements of a Technician 2, health and safety regulations, as relevant to the role, and general administrative processes and records.

SECTION 2 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• 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 proficiency in the use of computer packages, to include use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Values Orientation: Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect the school’s values/ethos.

SECTION 3 - DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• Experience: Experience of setting up the practical element of A Level examinations.

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.