Laboratory Technician - 2025

Job Description Location: Melbourne | Northern Metropolitan
Job type: Full time / From 28/01/2025
Organisation: Schools (Government)
Salary: Salary not specified
Occupation: Education and Training
Reference: 1442020
Selection Criteria SC1: Demonstrated capacity to perform duties consistent with established guidelines and frameworks, including coordinating and supporting others in respect to specific work functions relevant to the role. SC2: Demonstrated capacity to work and collaborate with others in a team environment. SC3: Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively in a team environment, including high level oral and written communication skills. SC4: Possess the technical knowledge and expertise relevant to the position. SC5: Demonstrated capacity to provide advice and support to management and other school staff in respect to the work area. SC6: A commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others. SC7: Outstanding professional and personal attributes including perseverance, humility, collaboration and an improvement focus. Role The attendance required for this position is Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:36pm.
Range 3 is distinguished by the introduction of management responsibility and accountability for the delivery of professional support services. The role will usually impact beyond the work area or professional field. It seeks to gain cooperation of other staff members or members of the school community to achieve specific objectives, such as in school administration, operations or educational programs.
Direction on targets and goals is provided but the position will have some degree of latitude in determining how they are achieved. This latitude will generally be limited by standard procedures and school policy. Deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.
The provision of business management responsibilities becomes a feature at range 3. Management of staff to achieve the expected outcomes is a key responsibility. Staff management issues will be resolved with minimal reference to senior management, although guidance will be required in more complex cases. Senior management will be provided with timely reports and advice, although this will generally be confined to matters relating to the immediate work area, service provision or educational program and is unlikely to impact substantially on whole of school operations.
This is the minimum range for positions that carry a mandatory qualification requirement of not less than four years. Professional student support positions become a feature at range 3 (e.g. therapists, psychologists) where standard professional services are delivered. Professional support and guidance will be close at hand and deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.
An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students, but must not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students cannot be required except where it is an integral part of the employee's position or involves supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.
Responsibilities Laboratory Technician The major tasks, accountabilities and responsibilities associated with the position are:
General Responsible for the management and efficient operation of the science laboratory area. Develop and implement operational guidelines and practices in laboratory such as laboratory manual. Obtain appropriate licenses/permits for use of plant/animals/chemicals (i.e. EPA permit for chemical collection by licensed company) in the science laboratory. Coordinate use of all science materials around the school. Keep a record of classroom experiments. Lead the development of laboratory designs and make suggestions for the upgraded science facilities. Participate in school activities such as working parties, College Meetings as directed. Finance Write and maintain a lab inventory list and assets, keep accurate records of purchases/incoming orders and ordering equipment/chemicals as required. Write and prepare the upcoming year's budget proposals in consultation with the science domain leader. Manage the science budget throughout the year. Follow proper DET procurement policy. Follow the school system to create purchase orders and placing the orders independently after approval. Negotiate with various suppliers to plan for and equip the science lab and its furniture. Teacher and Student Support Work closely with Science Domain Leader and provide technical support to all science staff. Induct new teaching staff to the lab and go through regulations, available resources and proper use of equipment, practical processes and safety equipment. Review and sign risk assessments written by teachers and provide appropriate control measures for staff and students. Assist in writing new risk assessments if required by teachers. Assist science teachers to change the timetable and organize for a room swap where a science classroom is required for an activity. Support science teachers to design new science experiments. Trial experiments: Run tests on new practices, where required, to ensure they yield the desired results and modify the material/methods and risk assessment in consultation with the teachers and/or science coordinator where required. Review, evaluate and modify laboratory practice where required: advise of alternatives/develop new methods in case of high level of risk. Create educational materials such as videos and microscope photos, researching and sourcing information for science topics at all year levels and sharing them with appropriate science staff. Conduct class demos of some practical activities upon teacher's request such as distillation, flocculation, dissection, etc. Assist pre-service and paraprofessional teachers, and CRTs in the classroom upon their request with some science activities. Collect feedback from teachers to gather data for the next stages of improvement. Prepare science activities for events such as orientation day or science week. Supervise students during yard duty. Write student instructions for safety or correct use of equipment e.g., microscopes. Assist within the classroom during science practicals. Supervise 1-2 VET Laboratory Skill students undertaking work experience at Elevation. Equipment Perform calibration checks and fix minor equipment malfunction issues (i.e. microscope blurry lenses due to adjustment issue) and ensure regular testing of equipment such as microscope service, test and tag and annual service of fume hoods are done correctly. Oversee maintenance of equipment and coordinate the required follow-ups with the supplier company. Evaluate and select equipment, get quotes and make recommendations for purchasing new science and laboratory equipment and place orders where finance allows. Liaison Liaise with sales representatives. Be an active member of the laboratory technician association of Victoria and Labtalk (Science teachers association of Victoria). Liaise with other schools and local lab techs to share laboratory resources. Pass on to the Science teaching staff PD opportunities, excursions, different practical and other relevant information. Participate in professional development opportunities. OHS Ensure appropriate paperwork is completed to make the science rooms a safe work area. Ensure science staff complete risk assessments for all science practical activities. Keep hard copies of all risk assessments for all science practical activities. Develop and implement measures for safe purchase/handling/storage/disposal of hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods in accordance with the department regulations and guidelines. Set up all storage areas to comply with OHS regulations for equipment and dangerous/hazardous chemicals. Implement and regularly update the chemical register and SDS documents. Conduct regular safety inspections of the science lab and classrooms, identify hazards and suggest appropriate control measures where relevant. Understand and respond to workplace OHS risks and practices; support compliance of procedures for safe work practices and supply SOP/SWP; assist in maintaining a safe work environment and train others in safe work practices in the science department. Assist OHS nominee in adding required documents to the staff OHS folder (i.e. new staff OHS induction, OHS handbook and DET OHS forms). Who May Apply Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
EEO AND OHS Commitment Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.
The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment-free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via
Child Safe Standards Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards.
DE Values The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools.
Other Information To find out more about Elevation Secondary College, applicants can view our website at Elevation Secondary College .
If you wish to know more about this position, please contact Lexia Collins, Business Manager on (03) 8339 8000 or
Please ensure that your application includes:
Names, contact numbers and email address of at least three referees. A resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, address, contact numbers). A written section addressing the selection criteria and the requirement for application under the Who May Apply Section. Conditions of Employment All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements. Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check. A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided. Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at HR Website . Location Profile Elevation Secondary College is a new 7-12 Secondary College in Melbourne's north. The school opened its doors to its first cohort of Year 7 students in 2020 to a purpose-built, state-of-the-art educational facility.
We have built a great school with a powerful professional learning environment. We are excited to add Year 12 to the College in 2025.
In 2022, Elevation Secondary College was named #1 best place to work in Australia/New Zealand in the Government, Education and Non-profit sector by the Australian Financial Review and Inventium! The school is situated in Melbourne's booming northern growth corridor approximately 23 kilometres from Melbourne and services the rapidly growing and aspirational communities of the Aston and Highlands Estates in Craigieburn, Greenvale and further north to Mickleham. The school has had significant demand for enrolments since opening- well beyond current capacity.
School Vision Elevation Secondary College is an outward facing school that values improving student learning, social emotional outcomes and educational attainment for all students. The school is known for its academic excellence, orderly learning environments, inclusiveness and the outstanding opportunities it provides its students.
Elevation Secondary College teaches a broad and rigorous academic program that allows students to build skills in the context of a knowledge-rich curriculum. Teachers engage students in lessons that challenge their thinking and promote academic effort and rigor. All students are supported in their wellbeing and engagement through a complementary system of high expectations, school-wide positive behaviours and trauma-informed classroom practices utilizing the Berry Street Education Model.
Professional Learning Culture Elevation Secondary College has a powerful professional learning culture, based on the idea that: "if we create a culture where every teacher believes they need to improve, not because they are not good enough but because they can be even better, there is no limit to what we can achieve" - Dylan Wiliam, University of London. Staff at the school maintain a professional approach to teaching and learning. The school has developed a culture of professional learning where observations, walkthroughs, coaching, data and academic research are commonly used to improve practice. Consistent with the school's behavioural expectations of Aim High, Work Hard, Be Good, staff will be expected to be aspirational, improvement focused and maintain positive and professional relationships with all members of the community at all times.
Staff will be expected to balance the need for high expectations of all learners with a positive educational and trauma-informed approach to engagement, wellbeing and inclusion.

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