School Officer

Commencing Date: As soon as practicable

Classification: Fixed Term, Part Time

Hours: 25 hours a week (5 hours/day) during the school term

Hourly Rate: $34.17 to $35.62 per hour pending experience

Closing Date: Monday, 1 September 2025 unless filled prior

Southern Cross Catholic College, Annandale is a co-educational college that offers classes from Prep to Year 12. The college values effort, commitment and support and challenges students to become their best selves. In doing so, a college environment is provided in which students can grow holistically. The college promotes activities, processes and structures that enhance a love of life.

Townsville Catholic Education (TCE) supports 30 schools within the Diocese, located throughout a diverse region of North Queensland, extending west to Mount Isa, south to Proserpine, and north to Ingham. Our schools include primary, secondary, and Prep–Year 12 offerings, located in both urban and rural settings. Several of our schools also offer boarding alongside day-student options.

We employ over 2,900 dedicated professionals who contribute to our mission of delivering high-quality, values-based education within our Catholic school communities. The safety and wellbeing of students and vulnerable people is our top priority. We are fully committed to child safety and have zero tolerance to abuse of children or adults-at-risk. Every staff member shares the daily responsibility of creating a safe, supportive, and respectful learning environment by promoting positive relationships, responding to concerns, and meeting all child protection and reporting obligations.

More than delivering academic excellence, a Catholic education at TCE nurtures personal growth, faith formation, and a strong sense of community. Our proud reputation is built on the tradition established by the religious orders who founded Catholic education in the Townsville Diocese in 1872.

About the role

Southern Cross Catholic College, Annandale is seeking an experienced and dedicated School Officer - Laboratory Assistant to commence as soon as practicable.This is a Fixed Term, Term Time position completing 25 hours per week during the school term, with school holiday times off.

The School Officer - Laboratory Assistant will assist with the preparation and delivery of equipment and materials for classes in the Science Learning Area, primarily in Years 7-12. The position will assist in the management of equipment and laboratories in order to support the Science programs throughout the College, in accordance with Work Health and Safety and applicable legislative requirements.

Key Accountabilities

As a valued member of the TCE team, you will:

• Provide effective assistance for the science programs throughout the College by ensuring that equipment, materials and chemicals are prepared in readiness for science laboratory experiments
• Assist in the design/demonstration of experiments under supervision of academic staff, where some discretion and judgement are involved
• Under direction, prepare, maintain, organise, set-up and dismantle equipment and materials for routine experiments or student projects and dispose of waste materials
• Under direction and within existing routines, methods and procedures, prepare, maintain and dispense stock solutions, simple chemical mixtures and compounds, cultures or similar materials
• Maintain inventory records and equipment maintenance log.
• Other duties as reasonably directed.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to the Catholic ethos, values, and mission of Townsville Catholic Education (TCE), actively contributing to the spiritual and communal life of the school.
• Participate in relevant professional learning, formation, and development opportunities to continuously enhance your capability and alignment with TCE's mission and values.
• Operate in accordance with all relevant TCE and Diocesan policies, codes of conduct, legislative requirements, and professional standards. Maintain confidentiality, empathy, and respect in all interactions.
• Foster a safe and healthy environment by adhering to health and safety protocols, reporting hazards and incidents, participating in risk mitigation efforts, using protective equipment as required, and supporting a culture of safety and care for all.
• Fulfil your legal and moral duty of care by ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all students. Comply with mandatory reporting obligations under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 and the Child Protection Act 1999 and follow TCE's Student Protection Processes and Guidelines.

About you

Experience and Skills

• The ability to work collaboratively with staff and engage in discussion of contemporary issues and research to improve professional practice
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously with minimum supervision
• Understanding of Work Health and Safety and associated safe work practices in a laboratory environment
• Knowledge and understanding of Hazardous Substances Risk Assessments and Materials Safety Data Sheets.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, organise and prioritise tasks
• Ability to be flexible and manage changing priorities
• Demonstrated ability to foster and sustain productive working relationships.

Attributes

• Enthusiastic, energetic, flexible with a willingness to learn
• Confident, articulate and able to develop strong professional relationships with staff and students
• Highly motivated with a "can do' attitude
• Values-driven and committed to the mission of Catholic education
• Collaborative, proactive, and adaptable in dynamic environments
• Strong interpersonal, organisational, and communication skills

Mandatory Criteria

• Current paid Working with Children Blue Card (or ability to obtain prior to commencement, per No Card, No Start legislation)

• Current driver's licence

• Ability to travel from time to time within the Catholic Diocese of Townsville

• Ability to perform the physical requirements of the role in a safe manner.

Desirable Criteria

• Relevant qualifications – Cert III Laboratory Skills/Cert IV Laboratory Techniques
• Previous experience in the education field would be considered advantageous.

What we offer

• Competitive Hourly Rate
• Annual Leave with 17.5% leave loading
• Access to salary packaging options to maximise employee benefits and salary
• Modern facilities, equipment and resources
• Access to additional Employer Superannuation Contributions
• Access to long service leave after 7 years of continuous service
• 14 Weeks' paid parental leave
• Deferred Salary Scheme
• Access to corporate health schemes
• Induction processes and professional learning programs
• Access to Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing programs and initiatives.

Note: Depending on the nature of the role, a pre-employment medical or vaccination may be required.

How to apply

• Complete the application form
• Upload a cover letter addressing the skills, attributes and experience to support the key accountabilities of the role identified in the position description
• Upload a current resume including contact details (phone and email) of at least two professional referees

For more information, please refer to the Position Description.

Applications during the shortlisting phase will be kept confidential.

Applications close 3pm Monday, 1 September 2025.