Chief Science Technician & Health and Safety Lead

We are seeking to appoint an outstanding Chief Science Technician to work within our high performing Science department and a Health and Safety Lead to work across the Academy.

This is a permanent role and we are looking for a candidate to start as soon as possible, and term time plus and year round positions will be considered.

About Us

Harris City Academy Crystal Palace is a mixed Academy for 1,300 students aged 11-18, with a large sixth form of over 350 students. The Academy has three consecutive Outstanding judgments by Ofsted, with the most recent inspection in 2014 finding the Academy to be Outstanding in every aspect. We are a consistently high performing school; in 2019, our progress 8 score was 0.61, 94% of our students achieved a 4+ in English and 86% in maths.  Our motto, ‘All Can Achieve’ encapsulates our vision that all members of the Academy community are supported and encouraged to achieve their absolute potential.

Main Areas of Responsibility

• To assist teacher in the preparation of lesson materials and daily check of room consumables.
• To maintain high levels of cleanliness and tidiness of stock cupboards in Science.
• To be responsible for the ordering of stock.
• To maintain stocktake of Science department inclusive of: annual checks, requisitions and receipts of supplies, local purchase of required items.
• Control of petty cash account.
• Organisation, storage and record keeping of equipment and chemicals.
• Safety and security of disposal of hazardous waste.
• Implementation of health and safety regulations.
• Regular safety checks of all science based equipment
• Preparation of bulk solution of stock.
• Care and maintenance of labs, equipment, animals and plants.
• To work alongside Federation colleagues.
• Organise the construction, preparation, repair, cleaning, transport and collection of equipment.
• Effectively delegate duties.
• Understanding of Science syllabus and schemes of work.
• Assistance with training schemes as required.
• Hold regular meetings with other support and technical staff attached to Faculties and represent their views at Area Manager meetings.
• Under the direction of the Faculty Co-ordinator, such other tasks that may be required to further the efficient running of the Academy, commensurate with the level of the post holder.
• To implement Health and Safety regulations.
• To assist in the development of appropriate resources.
• To contribute to the subject area’s Improvement Plan and its implementation.
• To attend all appropriate meetings.
• To contribute to the whole Academy’s planning activities.
• Lead on H&S at the academy, providing support to and deputising for the Head of Academy on all Academy Health and Safety issues, visits and audits;
• To work with the Head of Academy and the Premises manager to ensure a safe environment is maintained for staff and students
• Organise and keep the academy H&S folder including updating policies, training logs and accident logs
• Support the HR officer and the Head of Academy to ensure all staff have the relevant H&S training
• Complete the relevant H&S lead training
• To record and investigate H&S related accidents as they occur, including RIDDOR reporting when necessary
• To liaise with Judicium training, risk assessments and compliance reviews
• Provide support to the Principal and Heads of Department with Health and Safety responsibilities to implement local Health and Safety arrangements, policies, procedures, Department for Education requirements and statutory compliance; 
• Responsible for reviewing compliance paperwork for the academy including practical departments and preparing in response reports and key recommendations for rectification;
• Work with departments to develop their Health and Safety Management Systems in line with Federation policy and practice;
• Meet with departments half termly (or as required) to ensure Health and Safety requirements are met;
• Manage own multiple work streams, meeting required deadlines and required levels of statutory compliance;
• Responsible for carrying out internal audits of departments, auditing against academy policies, procedures and statutory guidance. Responsible for preparing summary reports for follow up;  
• Attend Academy H&S Committee meetings as required, providing high level guidance and support;
• Attend termly Federation H&S lead meetings

Qualifications & Experience

• Educated to A level or equivalent (A level in either Physics, Chemistry or biology)  NVQ 3 or BTEC
• Other training in relation to Science
• Trained in the use of a variety of ICT packages
• Basic knowledge of Health and Safety Regulations
• A good understanding of a range of chemicals and their properties
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Good organisational skills and ability to work in an organised and methodical manner
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• An ability to work using own initiative
• An ability to work effectively with people across a wide range of levels and responsibilities
• Good attention to detail
• Good team-working skills
• Good ICT, literacy and numeracy skills
• An ability to write messages, semi-routine letters and simple reports which are clear and structured
• Has tact and diplomacy and is able to maintain confidentiality
• A commitment to maintain high standards
• Ability to conduct risk assessments
• The ability to encourage and inspire young people to achieve
• Ability to relate to students from a variety of backgrounds
• Ability to undertake a range of practical tasks
• Ability to carry out routine maintenance of equipment
• Ability to contribute to the maintenance of accurate work records and inventories

Rewards & Benefits

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. Before applying, please review our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.