Science Technician - September 2026

37 hours per week term time plus INSET Days and 1 weeks holiday working.  Four days per week 08.30-16.30 and the other 08.30 - 16.00 with 30 minutes unpaid lunchbreak.

Reports to:     Senior Technician and Head of Department

Role Purpose:           To prepare, organise and maintain materials and equipment for classroom use to enhance student learning for years 7-13.

Role requirements

Setting up classroom equipment, materials and demonstration experiments:

•         Each day prepare equipment and chemicals for science lessons.
•         At the end of the school day pack away and wash up after practical lessons, thoroughly clearing the laboratories following Health and Safety regulations for safe disposal of chemicals and bio-hazard material and re-stock equipment kept in laboratories.
•         Contribute to supporting the after-school science club as directed.

Ordering and stock control:

•         Complete the annual inventory of equipment and stock take.
•         Throughout year inform senior Technician of any stocks running low or problems with chemicals/equipment.

Maintenance and care of stock and equipment:

•         Maintenance and care of living organisms for science lessons.
•         All hazardous material checked in at the end of the lesson against prior lists and accounted for.
•         Maintenance and care of equipment and stock including evaluation of its relevance and safety.

Demonstrating equipment and techniques:

•         Designing and making equipment for curriculum experiments
•         Where necessary demonstrating experiments in front of class if teacher requests.

Administration:

•         Occasionally helping with the supervision of students on offsite visits.

Corporate and statutory initiatives:

•         Thoroughly inspect the laboratories at the end of the day.
•         Ensure control and security of radiation equipment.
•         Ensure sinks in all the laboratories are free from debris and safe for cleaners using cleaning agents.

The ability to multi- task, be flexible, be able to prioritise and solve problems.

The main contacts

•         Attending technicians’ development meetings to share ideas and problem solving.
•         Students – regular contact with students on a daily basis. Some direct support in the classroom when demonstrating or supporting practical’s  alongside teacher direction.

 Working Environment

•         13 Laboratories spread over two floors and in three buildings
•         Delivering and collecting equipment to and from lessons.
•         Occasional outside work, e.g. collecting leaf litter
•         Actioning personal protective equipment relevant to the situation.
•         Physically active role in terms of preparing and carrying equipment.
•         Daily handling and preparation of chemicals and hazardous substances.

Context/additional information

•         Teachers sharing teaching groups’ increases workload with staff sharing a limited number of laboratories.
•         Full training provided, including safe handling and disposal of chemicals, manual handling and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
•         To undertake all health and safety training as directed using the whole school system and implement in daily work.
•         To raise any health and safety concerns, as they arise, with senior technician for review or action.

Entry

•         Basic IT skills, e.g.  Microsoft packages, e-mail and the internet.

Initial Induction

•         Estimated time to become operationally effective:   1 month (generic), 12 months to know annual cycle.

Adding value

•         To be flexible and able to prioritise tasks.
•         Work with technician and teaching colleagues so that lessons and resources meet teaching and learning requirements.

Specialist Role

•         Undergoing specific training in techniques and Health and Safety regulations with regard to biohazards, by shadowing Senior Technician.
•         Attending relevant training courses.
•         To provide ideas on how equipment might be used for investigations across KS3 and KS4.
•         To demonstrate experiments to support teachers in the classroom. (Annual training to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements.)
•         To assist A-level specialist technicians as required, e.g. Biology/Chemistry/physics.

Please read the  Cultural Fit document attached before making your application.

We value our staff and can offer:

• Hampshire County Council Local Government Pension Scheme (employer contribution currently at 17%)
• Ongoing training and support throughout your career
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Tech Scheme
• Free onsite parking with access to EV vehicle chargers at cost price
• A fantastic, modern working environment a few steps from the New Forest National Park and short drive from Bournemouth beach.