Work Type: Fixed-term - Part-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 3
Occupation: Education and training
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: 1505327
SC1 Demonstrated knowledge and experience in a school science laboratory environment, including the preparation of materials for experiments and demonstrations.
SC2 Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, guidelines and procedures related to safety practices in school science laboratories.
SC3 Demonstrated high-level organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and manage competing demands effectively.
SC4 Demonstrated high-level oral, written and electronic communication skills.
SC5 Demonstrated knowledge of OHS policy and procedures, including Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Substances regulations, risk assessments, and chemical SDS documentation.
SC6 Demonstrated capacity to show initiative, contribute positively to school culture, and uphold organisational values.
Please note that this is a fixed term role and can either be completed over one day or two half days, to be negotiated. Preferred days are Tuesday or Wednesday.
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.
1. Laboratory Preparation and Support
Prepare, organise, and set up materials, specimens, chemicals, and equipment for practical classes and demonstrations.
Assist teaching staff to ensure practical sessions run efficiently and safely.
Support teachers in trialling and modifying experiments and activities as required.
Prepare chemical solutions, stains, and media for use in experiments.
Deliver materials and equipment to classrooms, collect and clean equipment post-lesson.
Collect and maintain biological or geological specimens and samples, including off-campus field collection when required.
Liaise with other schools, suppliers, and organisations to share or acquire science resources.
2. Technical Operations
Maintain science laboratories, preparation rooms, and chemical storage areas in a clean, organised and safe condition.
Service and clean laboratory glassware and equipment.
Undertake or coordinate maintenance, calibration, and minor repairs of scientific equipment.
Develop and maintain laboratory equipment maintenance procedures.
Oversee the safe care, labelling, and secure storage of all materials.
Use digital systems (e.g., eSchools, Microsoft Office) for managing stock, orders, and communication.
3. Safety and Compliance
Ensure compliance with all Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements and Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Substances Regulations.
Maintain up-to-date Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Dangerous Goods manifests.
Lead and promote safe work practices within the science team.
Conduct and review risk assessments in consultation with teaching staff for all laboratory activities.
Ensure the safe collection, storage, and disposal of chemical and biological waste according to current legislation.
Advise other departments (e.g., Technology, Art, Building) on safe use and storage of chemicals.
Ensure all safety standards are met as per Internal Audit requirements.
4. Resource and Inventory Management
Maintain accurate inventories of consumables, chemicals, and scientific equipment.
Monitor stock levels and coordinate purchasing of supplies according to school procedures.
Implement and manage effective systems for labelling, storage, stocktaking, and ordering.
Support management of data-logging and digital laboratory equipment.
5. Staff and Student Support
6. Administration and Record Management
Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation on laboratory operations, including OHS and compliance records.
Maintain effective systems for scheduling, allocation, and maintenance of science rooms and equipment.
Prepare reports and provide advice to the Science Domain Leader regarding science operations, OHS, and resource management.
Support organisation of science-related excursions, incursions, competitions, and events.
Participate in Science Department meetings, professional learning, and cross-departmental projects.
Undertake other duties as required by the Science Domain Leader.
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
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 [email protected]
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.
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:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy
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:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview
The Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS) provides a nationally and internationally recognised specialist program for the training of talented young dancers, musicians, theatre and visual artists. Students are encouraged to develop a passion for learning and a sense of respect for themselves and others. The school is committed to providing a safe and nurturing learning environment that recognises and caters for the different academic, artistic, cultural, health and pastoral needs of students.
Students entering the school come to understand that a serious study of music, dance, theatre and visual arts requires a thorough technical training which begins at an early age, daily classes and many hours of practice, the nurturing of creativity, specialist teaching by highly skilled and experienced staff and high quality performance and exhibition opportunities.
VCASS is a dynamic educational and operational environment. The primary campus is located in the Melbourne Arts Precinct at Southbank and, in addition, the school utilises facilities at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and provides academic instruction for the Australian Ballet School.
VCASS runs under a unique model and is operational over extended hours, with regular classes in some areas scheduled between 8am- 5.30pm Monday -Friday and some staff have adjusted work schedules as a result.
The performance and event schedule is significant, both in number of activities and the depth of the production quality, In working at VCASS, you will experience;
VCASS welcomes applications from people who are positive and enthusiastic that thrive on contributing to the education of an exceptional group of young people. We encourage anyone interested in working with our school to spend time reading information on our website to understand our unique school environment. www.vcass.vic.edu.au
VCASS welcomes applications from people who are positive and enthusiastic that thrive on contributing to the education of an exceptional group of students.
The role is a fixed term role and can either be completed over one day or two half days, to be negotiated. Preferred days are Tuesday or Wednesday.