Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 3
Occupation: Education and training
Location: Melbourne - Eastern suburbs
Reference: 1513321
SC1 Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership and operational management of secondary school science laboratories.
SC2 Demonstrated high-level knowledge and application of laboratory safety, chemical management and OH&S compliance.
SC3 Demonstrated specialist technical expertise to support safe and effective practical science teaching and learning.
SC4 Demonstrated experience in budget planning, procurement and resource and asset management.
SC5 Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and support laboratory staff.
SC6 Highly developed communication, administrative and organisational skills, with a commitment to continuous improvement.
Attendance may be required for this position.
The Mullauna Secondary College Laboratory Manager will provide strategic leadership, operational management and specialist technical expertise to support the safe, effective and compliant operation of secondary school science laboratories. The role ensures that laboratory facilities, resources and systems enable high-quality practical science learning while meeting all Department of Education, OH&S and chemical management requirements.
The Laboratory Manager leads laboratory operations, oversees safety and compliance, manages resources and budgets, supervises laboratory support staff, and works collaboratively with teaching staff and school leadership to support curriculum delivery and whole-school priorities.
The future of the Mullauna Secondary College Science Faculty
Mullauna Secondary College prides itself on delivering an outstanding science program across all year levels. In addition to core science studies, the College offers a range of electives, including Forensic Science and pre-VCE sciences such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Psychology.
Practical work is central to all science classes at Mullauna, with students developing their skills, knowledge and understanding through scientific inquiry and the application of the scientific method. Senior school students are required to undertake independent scientific investigations across all science electives and VCE classes.
Currently, the College operates separate junior and senior science facilities. However, work is underway to construct a new, purpose-built STEM Centre, scheduled for completion at the end of 2026. This state-of-the-art facility will consolidate junior and senior science classrooms and laboratory preparation spaces into a single location.
The successful applicant for the Laboratory Manager position will play an integral role in the transition to the new STEM Centre, including the establishment of laboratory preparation and classroom spaces and the identification and coordination of stock, equipment and resource requirements.
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. Leadership & Laboratory Operations
2. Safety, Compliance & Risk Management
3. Technical Expertise & Curriculum Support
4. Resource, Budget & Asset Management
5. Staff Supervision & Professional Support
6. Communication, Administration & Continuous Improvement
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
To apply:
Applicants should access the college website and may contact the Assistant Principal, Michael Bray ¿ [email protected] for further information concerning this position. The School Strategic Plan and the Annual Implementation Plan and the Annual Report are available on the college website.
Applications for this position must be lodged via Recruitment Online by the advertised closing date Sunday 18 January 2026;
Late applications will not be considered.
Applicants are advised to include:
MULLAUNA SECONDARY COLLEGE
CURIOSITY - COURAGE - COMMUNITY
Success through learning together
Mullauna Secondary College is a co-educational, Year 7-12 state secondary college located in Mitcham. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students, staff and members of our community. Our school recognises the importance of the partnership between our school and parents & carers to support student learning and wellbeing. We share a commitment to, and a responsibility for, creating an engaging, inclusive and safe school environment for our students. Mullauna Secondary College is committed to child safety; all members of the Mullauna Secondary College community observe the Child Safe Standards and expectations for appropriate behaviour towards, and in the company of, children.
Our vision for our students is that they will model our college values of 'Curiosity, Courage & Community', and thus grow to be courageous and engaged young people who value and respect curiosity and learning. We value the pursuit of excellence and strive to provide authentic and contextual opportunities for all students to experience success and contribute positively to their community.
The college¿s mission is to create reflective and independent learners for life through a learning community that provides a challenging and secure environment responsive to individual learning needs. We believe that effective learning occurs when outstanding and innovative teachers provide a variety of tasks that actively engage students who are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning. The expectation is that students will be successful and enthusiastic learners capable of building positive relationships.
Mullauna Secondary College has a strong tradition of academic excellence, active student leadership and participation, as well as outstanding music, sporting and debating programs. The college programs offer breadth of pathways and Year 10 students can access VCE subjects, including VET. Mullauna Secondary College also delivers an International Student Program.
Sitting at the centre of its work, the college believes in high expectations in all students and a commitment to hard work. Our aim is to prepare young people to become active, engaged and responsible citizens of the local and global community. A major focus is to prepare students to contend with a very dynamic world in which creativity, cooperative work, connectedness and adaptability are key features. The school aspires to provide a contemporary approach to learning and teaching in its purposeful educational environment.
The college operates in two sub-schools, Junior and Senior. In the Junior School, Mullauna Secondary College has an engaging curriculum that includes core, elective and inter-disciplinary programs: Challenge at Year 7, an expansive combined Year 8 & 9 electives program, and SkillZ@Mullauna at Year 9. Excel is a selective program for high-performing students that operates from Years 7 to 9. The Senior School structure promotes the acceleration (advanced placement) of Year 10 students into VCE and VET Studies. Senior School students undertake an academic VCE with access offered in VET subjects through the Mullum cluster, as well as the provision of the new VCE Vocational Major (VM). Thus, all students have access to a successful future pathway. The college offers a long-established International Students Program with homestay placements, specialist English as an Additional Language (EAL) teachers and classes, and tutors both in class time and after school.
Mullauna Secondary College is undergoing significant and exciting developments with the recent investments in new facilities. The new two-storey, eight-classroom learning centre is an excellent addition. In 2026, construction of our new $17.6 million STEM Centre will commence, with a completion date in the same year.
The upgrades over recent years have already provided fantastic spaces like the Junior Learning Centre, renovated science classrooms, and dedicated areas for arts, design, and STEM learning. The changes to the library and staff areas seem to foster a great environment for both students and teachers to collaborate and innovate. These developments have helped to set up the college for a bright future.
THE MSC VALUES - CURIOSITY, COURAGE, COMMUNITY
THE MSC LOGO
The spheres of our college logo represent (from left to right):
THE MSC MOTTO - SUCCESS THROUGH LEARNING TOGETHER
Our college motto, Success through learning together, provides the vision of our college community and reflects our belief that personal success is best achieved when students, teachers and parents / families work together in partnership, through interactions that are positive, respectful and purposeful.
We are reflective and open to change, optimistic in our endeavours, and focussed on the improvement of wellbeing, engagement and learning outcomes. Together, we are building the capacity of our community to engage meaningfully and contribute positively in an increasingly complex world.
THE MSC VISION FOR LEARNING & TEACHING:
We achieve personal success by collaborating and actively engaging in supportive, challenging and diverse learning opportunities.
Our Vision for Learning & Teaching will be achieved through the implementation of the MSC Instructional Model, which underpins our pedagogical practice, and sets clear expectations for learning and teaching practices for our staff, students and parents. It guides staff in implementing more consistent, responsive, high quality and innovative curriculum and programs.
Position
MSC Laboratory Manager - Technician
Classification
ES 1-3
Responsible to
Assistant Principal, Head of Science Faculty & Leadership Team
Time Fraction
Monday - Friday
Other