Science and Design & Technology Technician 0.4fte

Supporting teaching and learning within the Science and Design & Technology departments ensuring that routine and non-routine checking, cleaning, maintenance, calibration, testing and repairing of equipment are carried out to the required standard.

The post is part time 0.4fte which is equivalent of 2 days per week. The working pattern can be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate.

General Responsibilities

• To assist teaching staff in providing students at Derby Grammar School with a relevant and effective Science and Design & Technology experience and ensure high levels of achievement.
• Under the overall control of the senior technician, to coordinate the use of practical resources and facilities and provide assistance and advice in meeting the practical needs of the Science and Design & Technology curriculums, including liaising with teaching staff and support staff outside the department.
• To ensure the maintenance of a healthy & safe working environment through:
• Actively contributing to the assessment, monitoring and review of both health & safety procedures and information resources;
• Keeping up to date with current procedures and practices through continuing professional development;
• the provision of technical advice and support on health & safety issues to teaching and trainee technical staff;
• the safe treatment & disposal of used materials including hazardous substances and responding to actual or potential hazards;
• the healthy & safe storage and accessibility of equipment and materials.
• To contribute to the design, development and maintenance of specialist resources and/or long-term projects.
• To support the senior technician in ensuring the availability of suitable materials and equipment, helping to compile orders and liaising or negotiating with suppliers and finance departments. This will include sourcing, costing and suggesting economic alternatives to maintain stock levels. Keeping up-to-date stock records.
• Under the overall guidance of the senior technician, to ensure that both routine and non-routine checking, cleaning, maintenance, calibration, testing and repairing of equipment are carried out to the required standard.

Specific Responsibilities

• Conduct weekly machine, room and equipment checks and maintain records
• Preparation of resources, assembling apparatus.
• Obtaining materials by local purchase.
• Giving technical advice to teachers, technicians and pupils / students. Carrying out risk assessments for technician activities.
• Assisting in practical classes & carrying out demonstrations.
• Ensure hand tools are kept in optimum condition and stored correctly 
• Organise extra equipment for lessons 
• Regularly maintain the equipment and tools in the workshop and classroom areas 
• Empty and clean the dust extraction filters as required by the manufacturer 
• Keeping up-to-date with health & safety requirements and with developments in practical science. (Attending courses & reading publications.)
• Giving health & safety advice to technical staff, teachers and students.
• Disposal of waste materials.
• Checking fume cupboards, pressure vessels and first-aid kits; carrying out electrical and other safety checks, etc.
• Organising, storing and checking the condition of chemicals and equipment.
• To support the development and delivery of Computer Aided Design & Manufacture in D&T. 
• Attending department meetings.
• Constructing & modifying apparatus. 
• Setting up and caring for plant and animal collections.
• Preparing standard solutions, purifying chemicals, treating waste.
• Checking stock, ordering.
• Keeping stock records.
• Maintaining resources.
• Collecting, checking and returning equipment to stores.
• General laboratory cleaning of bench surfaces and fixed equipment.
• Cleaning and repair of equipment.
• To undertake such other tasks relevant to the work of the Science and Design & Technology departments or the needs of the school as they may arise. 

OUR ETHOS

Our ethos at Derby Grammar School is one of "Excellence, Encouragement and Enrichment".

We employ outstandingly talented teaching staff who can ‘bring education to life’ for all pupils. They offer knowledge, experience and enthusiasm in abundance which stimulates a desire to learn. Our stunning Georgian buildings are advantageously fitted with modern learning facilities and specialist equipment, adding to the exclusivity of our academic offering.

Our small community is one of our biggest strengths as it allows all teachers to get to know pupils individually. We are proud of our fantastically flexible yet robust pastoral support system which is able to accommodate the needs and demands of each and every child who comes into our care. We empower pupils and having a supportive environment is central to achieving this. 

One of the many reasons why Derby Grammar School is so special is our ability to offer exclusive opportunities that serve to enhance pupils’ learning experience. We have partnerships with Hot House Music, London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA), Derbyshire Institute of Sport, the Gedeli B School in Tanzania among others. School life is wide-ranging and fun, with endless possibilities to explore new talents.

Derby Grammar School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The School is therefore permitted to ask shortlisted applicants to declare all convictions and cautions on a self-declaration form in advance of attending an interview (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the Disclosure and Barring Service(“DBS”) filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The School may carry out online searches on shortlisted applicants, including social media accounts, as part of their application.

Prior to employment commencing, successful applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers. 

Successful applicants will also be required to produce evidence of qualifications, identity, and the right to work in the UK. Two references will be taken up, one of which will be with the most recent employer. They will also be required to complete our Health Questionnaire. 

All those working at Derby Grammar School share in our responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children and young people in our care.