Lead Technician: Science

Principal Responsibility/Job Purpose:

To be responsible to the Head of Faculty: Science in co-ordinating the use and development of practical resources and facilities, including the provision of guidance and support in meeting the practical requirements of the Science curriculum, including liaising with all areas of the school and outside organisations.

Principal Tasks:

Managing the Technicians

• Organise the Science Technicians.
• Ensuring the technician team keeps up to date with health & safety requirements and developments in practical science by ensuring that relevant literature is available and arranging for technicians to attend courses.
• Ensure that the Technicians team is resourced, organised and developed to meet the perform­ance standards required by the department.
• Organise and supervise trainee Technicians as required.
• Train and arrange for appropriate training of the Technicians.
• Arrange laboratory swaps where necessary.
• Dissemination of Cover Work for absent teaching colleagues.

Health & Safety

• Promote and observe a safe working environment for Technicians, Teachers and students.
• Carrying out risk assessments for Technician activities.
• Actively lead and co-ordinate the assessment, monitoring and review of both health & safety procedures and information resources.
• Provide technical advice on health & safety issues to Teachers and Technicians.
• The safe treatment and disposal of used materials, including hazardous substances, as well as responding to actual or potential hazards;
• The storage and accessibility of equipment and materials in line with health and safety guidelines.
• Liaise with the Facilities team to maintain First Aid kits and to arrange testing of fume cupboards, pressure vessels electrical and other safety checks, etc.
• Organise, store and check the condition of chemicals and equipment.
• Deal with/monitor radioactive sources under the guidance of the appointed RPS person.
• Undertake the lead role within the Science department on both routine and non-routine checking, cleaning, maintenance, calibration, testing and repairing of equipment to the required standard.

In the Classroom

• Give technical advice to Teachers, Technicians and students, when appropriate.
• Assist in practical classes, carrying out demonstrations, preparing resources, assembling apparatus.

Resource Management

Responsibility for setting up and monitoring systems used in the management and control of practical resources including:

• Lead on stock control, compiling orders, liaising or negotiating with suppliers and maintaining appropriate records.
• Keep petty cash records.
• Monitor, control and keep financial records of the departmental expenditure in accordance with the school’s policy.
• Ensure the availability of suitable materials and equipment, and suggest alternatives for suitability and economy. This includes weekly shopping to obtain materials.
• Ensure the department’s resources are maintained to the required standards.
• Report problems with equipment to appropriate Head of Department or Head of Faculty: Science.
• Coordinate the PAT testing of electrical equipment within the Faculty.

General

• Keep up to date with current procedures and practices through continuing professional development.
• Attend department meetings (if held during contracted hours)
• Take a role in the design, development and maintenance of specialist resources and/or long-term projects and offer professional guid­ance, assistance and support to students & Teachers on the practical aspects of the curriculum.
• Design, construct and modify apparatus.
• Set up and care for plant and animal collections.
• Prepare standard solutions, e.g. purifying chemicals, treating waste.
• Support Field Work.
• Communicate with others inside and outside the school on specialist technical preparation and maintenance matters, and cross curricular developments.