PAIGNTON COMMUNITY & SPORTS ACADEMY
BAY EDUCATION TRUST
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Senior Science Technician
Accountable to:
Director of Science/Second i/c Science
Job Purpose:
In accordance with the practices and procedures of the Academy, ensure that a
safe, effective and efficient laboratory technical service is provided for the use of
pupils and teaching staff. To provide technical advice and assistance in the
classroom to support pupils and assist teaching staff with learning activities.
Where applicable, to take responsibility for the supervision of one or more
Technicians as determined by the needs of the Academy.
Grade:
F, Point Range 22 - 25
Hours per week:
35 hrs/week, 39 weeks per annum
ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
1. Responsible to the Director of Science and Second i/c Science but works to the requirements, and in
support of, individual teachers on a day to day basis.
2. Where applicable, responsible for Technician(s).
3. Support, when necessary and appropriate, other members of the department with respect to the
size of the Academy (covering two sites) and the large number of special needs pupils.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Provision of practical facilities and resources
1. To prepare and assemble apparatus and components for demonstration, class practical work,
assessments and examinations. To prepare and dispose of solutions and materials, adhering to all
relevant Health and Safety practices concerning dangerous chemicals and materials i.e Corrosive,
Flammable, Radioactive and Carcinogenic.
2. When requested by teaching staff, to demonstrate the use of different equipment and materials
with particular regard to safety, including providing technical advice, assistance and supervision to
pupils during practicals, project work and assessments. To advise teachers, when required,
particularly those teaching outside the specialism, being retrained or on probation. i.e. NQT,
student, and supply teaching staff.
3. To install, test, evaluate and calibrate both existing and new equipment, including computer
software.
4. To assist, where applicable, the teacher with coursework and the delivery of work programs/lessons
and assessments within the specialist area.
5. To distribute equipment between rooms in time for the relevant teaching periods, ensuring that
good manual handling practices are observed at all times.
6. To use equipment and carry out processes in accordance with relevant Health and safety
requirements.
7. To provide photocopied material. Print, collate and file work sheets, exam papers, teacher’s guides
and resource information.
8. To collect samples and specimens for use in teaching and learning programs and to water and
maintain in a healthy condition plants and livestock.
9. To facilitate practicals for all scientific disciplines (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) to GCSE level.
Construction and development of apparatus and equipment
1. To help maintain Science notice boards.
2. To construct and devise equipment to meet the changing needs of practical programs, including the
manufacture of teaching aids. To construct and adapt apparatus and basic storage facilities etc. to
facilitate control and distribution of equipment.
3. To provide practical advice and safety instructions to pupils, at the request of teaching staff
4. To construct and maintain the plug-in peripheral equipment for computers and electronic measuring
devices.
5. To produce audio-visual aids and materials and maintain and update a library of relevant science
programs on DVD.
6. To research and distribute information to assist teaching staff and contribute to project work.
Maintenance of departmental facilities and resources
1. To ensure that equipment, materials and apparatus, including teaching aids, are maintained in a
serviceable and safe condition (including the PAT testing of electrical equipment). To undertake
repairs when necessary and, where applicable, recommend or arrange outside repairs, replacement
or maintenance.
2. To dispose safely of broken equipment and to ensure that all appropriate personnel are advised. To
ensure that any scientific debris or hazardous materials/spills are removed from the sinks, bench
tops and other areas to provide a safe environment for cleaning staff and others. To deal with
spillages/emergencies during practical activities. To ensure that gas and water taps are turned off,
and that electrical connections, chemical solutions and other materials are left stored in a safe and
secure condition, ready for re-use.
3. To monitor the condition and stock levels of all apparatus, reagents and materials with regard to
shelf life, safety and economy by undertaking regular checks. To diagnose faults and take necessary
action accordingly, including proposing alternatives for damaged/faulty equipment. To ensure that
appropriate levels of stock are maintained to meet the requirements of the department.
4. To ensure that residues and outdated stock are disposed of in a safe, efficient manner, recycling
stock for reuse when possible.
5. To set up living resources to reflect curriculum needs and to ensure that they are maintained in a
safe, healthy condition for observation and experimental purposes. Where necessary, to collect live
material and undertake any required breeding programs.
6. To maintain all safety equipment used by technicians, teaching staff and students to the highest
standard.
7. To ensure that First Aid boxes are monitored and maintained correctly.
8. To maintain laboratories, prep rooms and stores in a clean, tidy and secure condition.
General responsibilities
1. To work unsupervised in all aspects of the job profile and where applicable, to supervise one or
more Technicians, giving advice and guidance and on an occasional basis, to assist with technical
staff induction.
2. To provide scientific assistance and advice when plumbers or others are working on the waste
disposal or plumbing systems within the laboratory.
3. To liaise with external agencies such as suppliers and manufacturers regarding the provision,
installation and repair of equipment, furniture, etc.
4. Where applicable, to undertake administrative tasks associated with the post, including stock
recording and advising the Senior Technician on orders/reorders when required.
5. To be aware of, and to comply with, all departmental/Academy instructions and procedures relating
to health and safety at work and to recognise the main responsibilities required under the Health
and Safety at Work Act 1974 and associated legislation.
6. To contribute to safe working practice in preparation/storage/teaching areas.
7. To maintain an up to date knowledge of technical developments in the field.
8. To undertake general tasks according to the needs of the department such as maintenance of
laboratories, preparation of store rooms, transporting supplies, reprographic duties, preparation of
audio/visual material as required by departmental teaching staff, etc.
9. To prepare computer facilities for class usage and undertake system ‘housekeeping’.
10. To complete pupils’ practical assessments therefore ensuring that they work and to establish test
results etc.
11. To give advice and support to pupils as directed.
12. To support the teaching process through the selection of method, materials etc. to be used if
requested.
13. To display Safety notices, posters, stickers etc. in consultation with appropriate personnel.
14. To move furniture and fittings between rooms.
15. To participate in team and peer group meetings.
16. To attend training courses, technical staff meetings.
17. To prepare and maintain risk assessments for chemicals and equipment handling within the
preparation and storage areas.
18. To undertake any other duties within the scope of the post, as required by the Head of Department
or other appropriate supervisor, in particular those which derive from the changing demands of the
National Curriculum so making an effective contribution to implementing learning and work
programs.
Unique additional job responsibilities (individual specific)
Staff and pupil support
1. To have a thorough knowledge of facilities throughout the Faculty (on both sites), sufficiently to line
manage in the absence of Director of Science and Second i/c Science.
2. To organise/direct the work of all other technicians on one site.
3. To assist in resolving the problems of the other technicians and staff.
4. To teach basic skills to other members of the Faculty technical staff, especially new staff (including
the induction of new staff).
5. To advise technical staff/Director of Science on the suitability of training courses.
6. To advise and support NQT/student teachers and supervise work experience pupils
Equipment
1. To oversee the repair and disposal of major equipment.
2. To play a substantial part in organising the development of storage systems and the care and repair
of equipment.
3. To advise on the selection of new equipment by researching fit for purpose and value for money.
4. To set up and maintain communication with suitable suppliers of equipment and materials.
Materials
1. To keep up to date with Health and Safety and Risk Assessment developments.
2. To report Health and Safety issues to the HoF/site manager.
3. To assist the HoF in resolving Health and Safety issues.
Administration
1. To ensure that the general administration task on one site are carried out correctly.
2. To ensure that inventories/databases and class lists are maintained adequately.
3. To be responsible for the multiple account keeping on one site (KS3 budgets, collect monies for
petty cash, field trips, and resale account - Revision guides etc.)
4. To liaise with the Senior Technician on the other site to ensure accurate account keeping across the
Facility.
5. To liaise with the Finance Department to ensure accurate account keeping.
6. To ensure that the Facility has an up to date selection of equipment catalogues and Health and
safety documentation, including Risk Assessments.
7. To liaise with the library re booking time and topic boxes.
8. To liaise with exam office re entries and results for inclusion into data bases.
9. To liaise with supply/cover for absent staff and to set cover work when necessary.