Biology Technician

Summary

George Watson’s College wishes to appoint a Biology Technician on a fixed term basis from August 2023 until June 2024.

Detail

PACKAGE DESCRIPTION

Location: George Watson’s College, Edinburgh

Contract Type: Full time, Fixed term

Salary: £25,850 - £30,614 (based on 36.25 hours per week, 46 weeks per year)

Benefits: Automatic enrolment in the contributory support staff defined contribution pension scheme, reduced school fees at George Watson’s College for children of staff, Membership of the Galleon Club (the school’s fitness club)

JOB INTRODUCTION

George Watson’s College wishes to appoint a Biology Technician on a fixed term basis from August 2023 until June 2024. To Support the Senior Technician to provide a first class, customer orientated technician service to pupils and teachers alike, ensuring that the labs are run smoothly and effectively, that the equipment and apparatus is operational, available and well maintained, and working at all times with Health and Safety in mind.

Hours of work will be 36.25 hours per week, term time only (36 weeks plus professional learning days and a further two weeks during holiday periods). The annual leave entitlement is seven weeks per year making a total of 46 weeks. The salary for this position will be in the Grade 3 range of £29,222 - £34,608 (based 36.25 hours, 52 weeks). This equates to £25,850 - £30,614 per annum.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please include a letter of application of not more than 800 words giving us more information about you and why you would like the role, addressed to Mr Gordon Boyd, Head of Senior School.

Closing date: Midnight on Tuesday 30 May 2023

Interviews are scheduled to take place on Tuesday 13 June 2023

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

In conjunction with the Senior Technician, to coordinate the use of practical resources and facilities and provide assistance and advice in meeting the practical needs of the departmental curriculum and clubs, including liaising with teaching staff. Ensuring the availability of suitable materials and equipment, helping to compile orders and liaising or negotiating with suppliers and finance departments. This will include sourcing, costing and suggesting economic alternatives to maintain stock levels, and keeping up-to-date and accurate stock records. This will involve the ability to plan and work independently

To ensure the maintenance of a healthy and safe working environment through:

· actively contributing to the assessment, monitoring and the review of both health and safety procedures and information resources

· keeping up to date with current procedures and practices through continuing professional development

· the provision of technical advice on health and safety issues to teaching and trainee technical staff

· the safe treatment and disposal of used materials including hazardous and responding to actual or potential hazards

· the healthy and safe storage and accessibility of equipment and materials

To contribute to the design, development and maintenance of specialist resources and/or long-term projects.

To support the Senior Technician in ensuring the availability of suitable materials and equipment, helping to compile orders and liaising or negotiating with suppliers or finance departments. This will include sourcing, costing and suggesting economic alternatives to maintain stock levels, and keeping up-to-date and accurate stock records.

Under the guidance of the Senior Technician, to ensure that both routine and non-routine checking, cleaning, maintenance, calibration, testing and repairing of equipment are carried out to the required standard.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

Essential:

• A minimum of HND level qualification in a scientific subject (ideally subject specific) or recent applied practical experience in a similar role
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a strong customer focus
• Works well as part of a team, but is also able to work unsupervised and using own initiative
• Good planning and organisation skills, coupled with excellent attention to detail
• Analytical approach to problem solving
• Works well under pressure
• Numeracy
• Must be able to work with/cope with biological materials e.g. chemicals and animal dissection
• Computer literate, with experience in using word processors, email, spreadsheets and file management software. The GAFE (Google Apps for Education) and Microsoft Office range of software will be used for this.
• Ability to use PASCO (Specific supplier of the apparatus we primarily but not exclusively use within the Science departments) compliant and other datalogging software.

Desirable:

• Experience of working in an educational environment
• Experience of working with children
• Knowledge of Health and Safety regulations applicable to a school and science setting, including COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)

Further Information

https://apply.schooltalent.com/members/modules/job/detail.php?record=384