Physics Department Technician

Job Purpose

As a member of the physics department, the physics technician plays a vital role in providing technical support for the delivery of the physics curriculum (both academic and broader) and management of the department’s resources.

Major responsibilities

Technical

• To provide equipment and materials to support Physics and Combined Science practical teaching, including assembling apparatus.
• To deliver equipment to classrooms; collect, check and return equipment to the prep room after lessons.
• To prepare teacher demonstrations and assist in classes as required.
• To ensure adequate stocks of relevant equipment in laboratories.
• To check and charge batteries on a daily basis.
• To check radioactive resources in and out as required and undertake annual leak testing (training will be provided).
• To prepare audio-visual equipment and teaching aids for teaching staff.
• To trial practical activities.
• To maintain laboratory equipment, apparatus and resources, carrying out (or arranging for) the repair and replacement as necessary.
• To assist the department with displays; production of leaflets, posters, photographs etc.

Stock and Purchasing

• To operate and maintain stock control of equipment, undertake an annual audit of equipment (a ‘stock take’) and ensure the equipment log book is kept up to date.
• Working with the Head of Department source and cost stock, ordering as necessary and keeping accurate purchasing records.

Cleaning and Maintenance

• Keeping the Physics prep room and laboratories tidy and ensuring that all equipment is in good working order.
• Ensuring that the laboratories and prep room are clean and liaise with the cleaning and maintenance staff regarding laboratory order.
• To ensure laboratories are locked, whenever they are not in use; that lights and equipment are switched off and the laboratories and building are locked at the end of the day.

Health & Safety

• To keep up to date with current Health and Safety regulations by attending courses, reading relevant literature and consulting SSERC and CLEAPSS when appropriate/necessary.
• In consultation with the Head of Department ensure
• risk assessments are current and relevant
• that all members of the teaching staff adhere to the department’s expectations regarding risk assessments and health and safety.
• To carry out risk assessment for Technician activities.
• To carry out safety checks on equipment before and after use.
• To provide advice on safety issues and ensure staff have copies of relevant health and safety information (risk assessments, hazcards etc).
• To treat and dispose of spills and breakages safely.
• To store and check expiry of hazardous substances.
• To dispose and disassemble redundant or unsafe equipment.
• To ensure the secure storage of laptops.
• To carry out Health and Safety checks in laboratories, prep rooms and stores and keep logbooks.
• Clearing away used apparatus at the end of lessons, ensuring the safe disposal of waste.
• Liaising with the Biology, Chemistry and IT Technicians when sharing of facilities or loaning of apparatus is necessary.
• Sharing workload with the other technicians as necessary.

Administration

• To liaise with staff to avoid equipment and room clashes; check requisition requests.
• To book borrowed equipment in and out and ensure prompt return of equipment.
• To maintain stationery stocks and order as necessary. 
• To photocopy materials as required.
• Attending Physics meetings on a weekly basis and the taking and preparation of minutes.

Design and Development

• In consultation with the Head of Department
• To construct and modify apparatus as required.
• To improve on existing/design new experiments and equipment needed as required.
• To research and suggest new resources.

Comply with Gordonstoun’s policies and procedures on Child Protection and Health and Safety.

Contribute in a positive way to the ethos of the school in line with Gordonstoun’s values

Carry out any other reasonable task as required from time to time in order to support the school.