Senior Science Technician

We are seeking to appoint an experienced Science Technician to work as part of the science team.

The successful candidate should be an enthusiastic, sociable and well-organised technician. Be able to provide high quality technical support to staff and students within the Science area, prepare apparatus, chemicals and other equipment for practical Science lessons in line with Health and safety guidelines. Regular routine maintenance of laboratory equipment, stock control and general administration tasks.

Salary: C1 22 – 25 £20,253 - £22,212 (actual £18,572 – £21,701)
Contract: TTO + 20 days and Permanent

Specific responsibilities:

• Co-ordinating the use of and development of, practical resources and facilities in meeting the practical requirements of the Science curriculum
• Provide technical support for teaching staff and students in the Science area
• Provide equipment and materials to support Science practical teaching, having due regard for the safe handling and storage of materials; remove materials safely afterwards
• Construct/set up and modify apparatus where necessary, testing and maintaining apparatus and electrical equipment to ensure they are in good working order.
• Ensure that the technical team is resourced, organised and developed to meet the performance standards required by the Science faculty
• Maintain electronic system for Schemes of Work to be used the following year, with written notes/comments of any ways to improve the practical aspect of lessons.
• Manage and coordinate the clearing of laboratories at the end of each lesson, ensuring utensils are washed up and store resources safely and efficiently.
• Dispose of contaminated microbiological waste (Biohazard Waste) safely, according to appropriate regulations.
• Work closely with the radiation protection supervisor for the testing, storage, deployment and disposal of radioactive materials and sources.
• Work closely with the Area Team Leader to ensure that all adequate risk assessments are in place.
• Managing, monitoring performance and supervision of other Science Technicians
• Asset management of equipment; administration of the booking in/out system for equipment, including ‘fault reporting’ procedures
• Overall responsibility for charging, distribution, asset management and fault reporting for ICT equipment within the Science Hub
• General administration tasks
• Reprographics as required by hub

Ensure the maintenance of a healthy and safe working environment by:

• Actively leading and co-ordinating the assessment, monitoring and review of Health and Safety procedures and information resources
• Keeping up to date with current Health and Safety procedures and practices.
• The provision of technical advice on Health and Safety issues to teachers and technical support staff
• To set up, test and advise on practical examinations and assist in the examination when required.
• Maintain preparation rooms, laboratories and store rooms, ensuring that they meet Health and Safety requirements.
• Maintain the care of plant life and animals within the Department.
• Maintain apparatus and laboratory equipment, reporting any breakages, replacement equipment required, to ATL.
• Report any Health and Safety issues to the ATL and to coordinate an appropriate response.
• In liaison with the ATL, order chemicals, supplies, text books and equipment, including supplies of perishable goods when appropriate.
• Ensure all new text books are stamped with the school stamp and recorded.
• Assist Science staff with the recording of, handing out and collection of text books and equipment at the start and end of each year. List and report any unreturned items to the School Office for invoicing.
• To place and follow up orders, checking deliveries and keeping financial records as advised by the ATL
• To performance manage the science technicians, identify training needs and seek/deploy appropriate CPD.
• Ensure maintenance of stock to meet requirements and appropriate annual stock taking.
• Cover for absence of other science technicians.
• Organising and distributing cover for teacher’s absence.
• Ensure that both routine and non-routine checking, cleaning, maintenance, calibration, testing and repairing of equipment are carried out to the required standard, specifying and installing additional equipment as necessary
• Ensure the availability of suitable materials and equipment, helping compile orders and liaising or negotiating with suppliers. This will include sourcing, costing and suggesting economic alternatives to maintain stock levels
• Maintain accurate up to date records of all equipment, chemicals and stock
• Maintain accurate up to date financial records of the departmental expenditure
• Use ICT effectively to perform duties in an efficient manner and to support the use of ICT equipment within the Science faculty

Other duties:
Every adult within the academy is expected to work with a small group of students as a home team coach
To promote equality, diversity and inclusion and demonstrate this within the role
To be jointly responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of students
Undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the post

Equal Opportunities:
To promote equal opportunities in Education in order that all children and families will gain optimum benefit from the service provided.
To promote and ensure that all students and young people are happy, healthy, safe, successful and achieve economic wellbeing.

Generic Support Staff Requirements
Uphold the professional standards expected of every member of Academy staff in all dealings with colleagues, students, parents / carers and the wider community.
Adhere to the principles expressed in the aims of the academy and its mission statement.
Actively contribute to the continued development of the Academy by attending training, participating in relevant meetings, and putting forward ideas for improvement.
Be a positive, collaborative team member.
Apply Academy policies in all aspects of the role.
Keep up to date with all aspects of the safeguarding children policy as it applies to the post.
To promote equality, diversity and inclusion and demonstrate this within the role.
To be jointly responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of students.
Plus other duties relevant to the role – see job description on website for more details

For further details contact Nick Hinchliffe at the academy. For further information or to apply please visit www.leedswestacademy.org

Closing date for applications Monday 9th May 2016 at 12 noon.

White rose Academies Trust - is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its students and expect all staff and volunteers to share the commitment. Appointments will be subject to a DBS check.

‘We promote diversity and want a workforce which reflects the population of Leeds. Applications are welcome from all, irrespective of sex, sexuality, race, religion, marital status, age or disability.