Laboratory Technician

The Whittlesea Secondary College vision is to equip students for an ever-changing world. Together we will challenge students to gain personal, social and academic skills that will inspire them to be successful members of our global community. The College mission statement sets up an important framework for teaching and learning by promoting the ability to develop active and self-motivated learning skills. Students are encouraged to develop individual talents and to become valued and responsible global citizens with curious and creative minds. The College upholds the values of respect, integrity and knowledge and ensures they are readily embraced and applied in academic and social development contexts.

Our College Motto "Challenge, Inspire, Succeed" solidifies our goal of achieving a high level of educational success in all areas of the curriculum. Whittlesea Secondary College (Years 7-12), with 800 students, it prides itself on being a well-established centre with spacious surroundings and excellent facilities. The campus enjoys an open country style atmosphere.

Whittlesea Secondary College has always taken pride in delivering exciting, diverse and innovative curriculum and has established a strong identity and tradition in fulfilling lifelong learning. Our curriculum offers a broad partnership of learning programs. Senior students have opportunities to pursue diverse pathways in VCE/VET/VCAL and School Based Apprenticeships, leading to further education in University/TAFE and vocational pathways. An operational Trade Training Centre was completed this year and is offering VET courses in Automotive, Engineering and Building and Construction.

The College is always striving to improve student learning in literacy and numeracy at all levels and utilises the monitoring of student assessment to address individual needs. We actively promote students to be motivated and engaged, with curiosity and creativity encouraged, enhancing student results. Improved outcomes across the school are driven by innovative curriculum and inquiry-based student learning supported by extensive computing technologies. The development and use of the COMPASS School Management System is being used to link students, teachers and parents and act as a communication tool for all. Students in Years 7-12 are informed and maximise career opportunities through the career program in line with the Victorian Careers Curriculum Framework.

An effective anti-bullying program (Shared Responsibility) is established within the implementation of a Restorative Practices program. Staff support student learning by identifying future learning goals and strategies to progress student success.

The College has 80 staff members including three Principal Class.

School community involvement is nurtured at Whittlesea Secondary College with many groups of parents and community members being actively involved in curriculum and extracurricular programs. These programs include Performing Arts/Music performances, sporting events including state level, Scholarship programs, College sponsorship, PAWS (Parents Association Whittlesea Secondary), Whittlesea Men's Shed, Community Health activities, development of the Whittlesea Community Garden, and the Memorial Rotunda built on site by students and community members to honour the memory of those lost in the 2009 bushfires.

At Whittlesea Secondary College we value student centred learning and facilitate and foster strong student leadership in all year levels. Students are empowered to use their knowledge to build individual pathways for their futures and embrace a collective understanding of the global world we live in.

SC1    Demonstrated experience and skills in coordinating a specific education support function.

SC2    Demonstrated capacity to supervise the work of other support staff and to develop procedures and guidelines relating to the work area.

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.

Performs and/or supervises tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice and school policy.  This may include the supervision and coordination of other education support class staff within the work area or educational program.  Supervision and coordination would be limited to ensuring routine tasks are performed to required standards.  Input into identifying training needs and development of education support class staff within the work area or educational program becomes an important feature at range 2.

Specialised support to achieve specific outcomes is a feature of range 2.  Typically this will involve accountability for a single function, (e.g. ensuring data is properly maintained) or the operation of a work area (e.g. managing the day to day operation of a school office) under the direction of the principal or another senior manager.

Provides support to teachers and students that is beyond the routine support provided at education support class Level 1, range 1.  Within an educational program assists teachers with the coordination of the support function, such as directing/organising the work of other support staff or providing a specialist support role. 

Undertakes medical intervention support tasks or other specialised student/teacher support roles that require specific training that must be updated from time to time.  The role is for a specific purpose for which there will be direct accountability as opposed to support roles that are carried out by a range of staff performing routine tasks under direction.

Performs technical tasks that require a sound knowledge of basic technical and/or scientific principles that are used to develop and adapt work methods and make judgements where there are clear guidelines and limited options.  Routine technical support in libraries, science and information technology laboratories would be typical examples.

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.

-    Provide specialist advice, under supervision of senior personnel, to students in relation to the handling and use of materials and equipment.-    Advise and assist staff in safety matters relating to a specific functional area, e.g. handling of chemicals in a science laboratory.-    Assist with the provision of a reference service to teachers.-    Develop and implement safety procedures within work and/or teaching areas in accordance with school policy and relevant safety legislation.-    Advise teachers about technical components of curriculum implementation.-    Manage experiments and/or use of equipment and materials under the supervision of teachers and provide basic instruction where required.-    Initiate, design and develop basic computer systems and undertake routine software design.

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

The Department values diversity and is committed to workforce diversity and equal opportunity in schools and all education workplaces. The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces.

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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/protect/Pages/childsafestandards.aspx

• 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.