Laboratory Technician Assistant

Occupation: Education and training

Location: Barwon South West - Greater Geelong

Reference: 1502360

Location Profile

Established in 1921, Bacchus Marsh College has a long and proud history with strong community links and partnerships. The College is an integral part of the community and the past record of our students in academic, cultural and sporting fields is noted with pride.

Our purpose is to inspire all members of the Bacchus Marsh College community to be lifelong learners. We are open to all by being inclusive. We have strong teacher efficacy - each and every student can and will learn from us. Our students strive to achieve their best and build resilience for the challenges that the future will bring. Our College values are Respect, Responsibility and Effort.

Being the only state secondary school servicing the town, Bacchus Marsh College provides a comprehensive and inclusive curriculum with a range of pathways to meet the interests and needs of a wide variety of students. Literacy, numeracy and ICT are integrated into the teaching and learning program, and a wide range of VCE and VET studies are offered to our senior students, including VCE VM provision, and access to School Based Apprenticeships.

We have made significant strides forward in recent time, with our achievement and opinion data showing signs of improvement, and our Staff Opinion Survey data is indicating improvement in the key areas, including Learning. This suggests that the work that we are doing as a staff in Professional Learning Teams and the like, is having a positive effect on teaching and learning at the College.

The College is within walking distance (approximately 150m) to the Bacchus Marsh Railway Station (Ballarat / Melbourne line). This provides easy access to the school via public transport for teachers from Ballarat or Melbourne.

Selection Criteria

- SC1 Demonstrated capacity to provide high level support to teachers and students and prepare materials for Science experiments in a secondary college.

- SC2 Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, guidelines and procedures relevant to safety practices in Science laboratories.

- SC3 Demonstrated 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 in respect to the work area.

- SC6 Demonstrated commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others.

Role

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

Program preparation & set up:

- Set up and arrange equipment, materials and supplies for experiments and practical sessions as per curriculum requirements.

- Pack up and store equipment appropriately.

- Prepare chemical solutions and analytical tools for use in the classroom and laboratory.

Laboratory maintenance:

- Maintain (including cleaning, calibration, and servicing) laboratory equipment for experiments and demonstrations.

- Liaise with external stakeholders for the maintenance and acquisition of equipment/chemical supplies.

- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment, following all safety protocols and guidelines.

- Inventory management, including ordering and restocking supplies, chemicals, materials and equipment as needed.

Safety and compliance:

- Adhere to OHS and compliance requirements, especially in relation to the safe storage of chemicals, appropriate labelling, and preparation of experiments.

- Implement measures for safe handling/storage/disposal of hazardous substances in accordance with relevant regulations.

- Maintain MSDS and other appropriate documents.

- Update and implement operational guidelines and practices for the laboratories.

- Conduct safety audits and maintain and replace any PPE when necessary.

- Keep a data bank of all Risk Assessment forms.

Teacher support:

- Liaise and provide assistance to teaching staff on their needs for practical work and maintain an efficient system for use and allocation of materials and equipment.

- Assist teachers and students during laboratory sessions, providing guidance and support as needed.

- Address technical issues and help troubleshoot equipment-related problems.

- Collaborate with teaching staff to enhance the effectiveness of laboratory activities.

- Demonstrate use and care of specialised equipment and apparatus to teaching staff and students when required.

- Catalogue and record location of equipment and materials.

- Following DE ordering procedures in the purchasing of program equipment, materials and supplies.

Required Attributes and Skills:

Dispositions

• An openness to learning in all situations.

• A passion and enthusiasm for promoting STEM education and inspiring a love of science in others.

• A strong commitment to teamwork.

• Collaborative participation in professional relationships and conversations.

• Understanding the need for accountability.

Attributes

• Strong laboratory skills and experience working with scientific equipment and instruments.

• Excellent attention to detail, creative and strong organizational skills.

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to engage with visitors of all ages.

• Self-motivated, flexible, adaptable and able to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Passion for the environment, conservation and sustainability.

• Confidence and enthusiasm about the students and teachers in the centre.

Who May Apply

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

Diversity and Inclusion

The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, 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 safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via marrung@education.vic.gov.au.

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.

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. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:

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. Information on the department values is available at:

Applications must include:
1. A specific response to all the key selection criteria
2. A CV including the names of three referees and their contact numbers
3. Applications must be submitted, AS ONE DOCUMENT, via Recruitment Online.

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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx.

Applications close Friday 14 November 2025 at 11.59pm

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