St. Francis’ College
Broadway, Letchworth Garden City, Herts. SG6 3PJ
Telephone 01462 670511
LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
This job description gives an overall indication of the areas of responsibility of the position, but is by no
means all encompassing or fixed. The post may include other duties and responsibilities as determined
by management that fall within the general responsibilities of the post. St. Francis’ College Trust (‘the
College’) is an equal opportunities employer.
RESPONSIBLE TO
The Laboratory Technician is directly responsible to and supervised by the Head of
Biology. However, the Laboratory Technician may also receive instructions from the
Head of Science, who is the Line Manager for the Head of Biology and from the Head,
who is in overall charge of all the activities of the College on a day-to-day basis and
also reports to the Board of Governors
OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Laboratory Technician’s primary purpose is to facilitate the Teaching of Science
and in particular of Biology at all levels in the senior school and support the prep school
if the need arises.
All employment is subject to satisfactory child protection screening being carried out.
The College is a non-smoking environment.
Hours of Work
Hours of work for the Laboratory Technician will normally be 20 hours per week, termtime only including INSET days and two Open Days, currently as detailed below:
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
12:00 p.m. to 16:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m. to 16:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m. to 16:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m. to 16:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m. to 16:00 p.m.
Additional hours may be required from time to time. Overtime is not normally paid, but
time off in lieu will be granted for hours necessarily worked in excess of the contracted
hours. These hours are subject to a certain degree of flexibility depending on the needs
of the academic time table which is likely to change annually. Consequently, an annual
review of working hours will be necessary.
RA – Bursary Feb 09
St. Francis’ College
Broadway, Letchworth Garden City, Herts. SG6 3PJ
Telephone 01462 670511
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Technical
1. To provide equipment and materials to support practical teaching in Biology and
other Science lessons, including assembling apparatus and making up solutions.
2. To set up and deliver equipment to classrooms; collect, check and return equipment
to stores after lessons.
3. To prepare teacher demonstrations, assist in practical classes and support extracurricular clubs.
4. To ensure adequate stocks of glassware, goggles, Bunsen burners etc. in laboratories.
5. To trial practical activities as required.
6. To set up data logging experiments.
7. To maintain laboratory equipment (including setting up and caring for plant and
animal collections and wildlife areas), apparatus and resources, carrying out (or
arranging for) the repair and replacement as necessary.
8. To assist the department with displays; open days; production of leaflets, posters,
photographs, etc.
9. To assist academic staff in the production of training and learning materials, for
example, schemes of work and researching practical activities as appropriate.
Stock and Purchasing
10. To operate and maintain stock control of equipment, undertake annual stock-take
and ensure stock records are kept up-to-date.
11. To source and cost stock and assist with ordering as necessary.
12. To monitor departmental expenditure and keep accurate purchasing records; assist
with the departmental budget process.
Cleaning and Maintenance
13. To proactively ensure that workrooms, equipment and apparatus are tidy, clean and
well maintained
14. To assist with the general cleaning of laboratory sinks and benches; tidy and clean
prep. room shelves and science areas.
15. To ensure adequate stocks of soap, towels and other consumables.
16. To ensure laboratories and prep. rooms are locked, lights and equipment are
switched off when not in use and at the end of the day.
Health and Safety
17. To keep up-to-date with current Health and Safety regulations by attending courses,
reading relevant literature.
18. To carry out risk assessment for Technician activities.
19. To carry out safety checks on equipment before and after use.
20. To provide advice on safety issues and ensure staff have copies of Hazcards.
21. To treat and dispose of spills and breakages safely.
22. To store and check expiry of hazardous substances.
23. To dispose and disassemble redundant or unsafe equipment.
24. To ensure the safe and secure storage of data logging hardware.
RA – Bursary Feb 09
St. Francis’ College
Broadway, Letchworth Garden City, Herts. SG6 3PJ
Telephone 01462 670511
25. To carry out Health and Safety checks in laboratories, prep rooms and stores and
keep logbooks.
Administration
26. To liaise with staff to avoid equipment and room clashes.
27. To maintain stationery stocks and order as necessary.
28. To assist with the issue and return of textbooks.
Design and Development
29. To construct and modify apparatus as required.
30. To improve on existing/design new experiments and equipment needed as required.
31. To research and suggest new resources.
General
32. To participate in The College’s performance management process and to undertake
any training that may be appropriate.
33. To attend and participate in meetings as required.
34. To attend Open Days and other functions as required.
35. To be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to Child
Protection, health and safety, security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all
concerns to the appropriate person.
36. To contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the College.
37. To undertake any other activities requested by the Head of Biology or the Head of
Science commensurate with the post.
RA – Bursary Feb 09