Science Technician 2 (Job Reference: 26003818)
Primary Location : Down-Downpatrick-Down High School
Contract Type : Permanent
Duration of Contract/Contract End Date : N/A
Status : Full-Time, Part-Time and Job-Share posts available
Contract Options : Flexible working arrangements available during school holidays (E.g. Option 1, 2, 3)
Hours per Week : Post 1 - 36 hours per week Biology Technician Post 2 - 26 hours per week Physics Technician
Working Pattern : Monday to Friday
Grade/Scale : Technician 2 | NJC pt 11 - 14 | £14.9917 - £15.7367 per hour
Additional Allowance(s) : Not Applicable
Anticipated Interview Date(s) : 17 June 2026
Additional Information: N/A
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Technician 2
REPORTS TO: School Principal through designated line manager
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Maximum of 5 staff
JOB PURPOSE
To provide technical support and assistance to teaching staff in the implementation of the school’s/department's educational programme.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervision This is a discretionary element of the job description. The grade may be awarded if supervision is not a component of the post.
- Supervise appropriate staff (shared supervision), including managing and allocating duties.
- Identify and provide on the job training to appropriate staff.
- Provision and Maintenance of Facilities and Practical Resources
- Assist teaching staff in developing and manufacturing teaching aids and models.
- Prepare resources for all classes including setting up, testing, demonstrating and dismantling suitable resources as per agreed schemes of work.
- Collect, clean and store all equipment and materials securely in designated storage areas. Ensure items are maintained in a state of 'ready for use'.
- Dispose of used materials in a safe and approved manner.
- Ensure that mandatory and/or statutory checks of materials and equipment are carried out by qualified personnel.
- Inform designated line manager of materials and equipment found to be in an
- unsatisfactory/unsafe condition and arrange for repair and disposal of such items.
- Ensure no unauthorised person has unsupervised access to equipment and materials when not in use.
- Advise on health and safety issues in relation to the use of equipment.
Administration
- Develop, maintain and operate manual and/or computerised systems in relation to administrative tasks associated with the area of work.
- Maintain an inventory/records of departmental resources.
- Assist in ordering/purchasing, receiving, checking, storing and distributing resources.
General
- Support all staff in ensuring the general safety of pupils.
- Assist with evacuation in emergencies.
- Undertake photocopying as required.
- Undertake any of the following duties:
- Handling cash in relation to the purchase of practical materials.
- Assisting with hospitality at meetings and school functions.
- Carrying out minor maintenance repairs throughout the school within the competence of the employee.
This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.
In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.
To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
-
You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.
-
You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
-
The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
-
Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
-
Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
-
In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria.
SECTION 1 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
Factor
Essential Criteria
Method of Assessment
Qualifications
Five GCSE’s (Grades A*-C) to include English Language, Mathematics and subject specific specialism, or equivalent or higher level qualifications.
Shortlisting by Application Form
A minimum of one months' experience working as a Science Technician in a post primary school.
Shortlisting by Application Form
Knowledge
Demonstrable evidence of knowledge of:
-
The requirements of a Technician 2
-
Health and safety regulations, as relevant to the role
-
General administrative processes and records
Shortlisting by Application Form
SECTION 2 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage.
Factor
Essential Criteria
Method of Assessment
Skills / Abilities
Proven effective planning and organisational skills and an ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines
Ability to work effectively as part of a team to achieve outcomes
Evidence of proficiency in the use of computer packages, to include use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
Interview
Interview
Application Form
Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect the school’s values/ethos. You will find information about the school’s values/ethos on our school website
Interview
SECTION 3 - DESIRABLE CRITERIA
Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
Factor
Desirable Criteria
Method of Assessment
Experience of setting up the practical element of A Level examinations.
Shortlisting by Application Form
DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.
In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.
Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.
