<p><strong>Title of Position:&nbsp;</strong>Senior Science Laboratory Technician</p> <p><strong>Type of Appointment:</strong>&nbsp; Full-time 38 hours (Term Time)</p> <p><strong>1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Context</strong></p> <p>Established in 2001 in a picturesque setting in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, Pacific Lutheran College is a leading K-12 learning community that is innovative, dynamic and progressive.&nbsp; Firmly underpinned by the values and traditions of excellence of Lutheran Education in Australia, students have achieved outstanding success in the academic, sporting and cultural dimensions of their lives.&nbsp; Enrichment programs in all three areas have enabled students to explore their potential.</p> <p>Pacific has established a strong academic culture, which promotes thinking, deep understandings and creativity based on the learnings of Harvard’s Project Zero team. The synergy of these programs with the research of positive psychology and Lutheran theology provides for a rich whole of life learning culture.</p> <p>Our staff take advantage of flexibility in physical and virtual spaces to support an increasingly personalised approach to learning for our young people.&nbsp; Pacific has a seamless curriculum across Kindergarten to Year 12 with teams of teachers working across the four subgroups of the College.&nbsp; Staff are expected to learn collaboratively to contribute to a whole school approach as they lead learning in the Foundation College (Kindergarten-Year 2), Junior College (Years 3-5), Middle College (Years 6-9) and Senior College (Years 10-12).</p> <p>Salary and related conditions are as per the current Queensland Lutheran Schools’ Single Enterprise Agreement.</p> <p><strong>2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Role Description</strong></p> <p>The Senior Science Laboratory Technician is responsible for the delivery of professional laboratory advice and support services and contributes to the provision of a safe laboratory environment for students and staff. The Senior Science Laboratory Technician is the College Hazardous Chemical Coordinator and provides advice on the creation and maintenance of chemical registers. The Senior Science Laboratory Technician works closely with the Head of Department (HOD) Science and provides expert technical support across all science laboratories. The Senior Technician will allocate duties to laboratory staff, ensure high quality service delivery, and maintain safe, efficient and future focused laboratory operations.</p> <p>The Senior Science Laboratory Technician is expected to:</p> <p><strong>Strengthen Lutheran Identify Through:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Support the Lutheran ethos of the College.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Enhance Excellence in Teaching and Learning:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Obtain quotes and place orders in consultation with the HOD</li> <li>Monitor expenditure and assist with budget forecasting</li> <li>Use advanced IT skills across Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite and digital record keeping systems</li> <li>Lead preparation of practical activities with a high degree of accuracy, efficiency and foresight</li> <li>Prepare, label and manage chemicals safely and in accordance with chemical management guidelines</li> <li>Anticipate upcoming experiments and ensure equipment, chemicals and biological materials are available ahead of time</li> <li>Modify or troubleshoot experiments in collaboration with teaching staff</li> <li>Test, trial, film and record experiments in advance</li> <li>Collaborate with the classroom teachers to develop resources and provide input on the selection of appropriate chemicals, equipment and technology for projects.</li> <li>Support students during practical lessons in Science</li> <li>Monitor facilities, equipment, resources and services required to ensure that all students, including those with additional needs, receive a high-quality education in a safe, caring environment. This includes class laboratory workstations, equipment/glassware monitored and replaced where necessary, sinks clear and clean, benches and storage areas cleaned.</li> <li>Assist teachers in demonstrations, and hands-on activities.</li> <li>Ensure that all equipment is in good working condition, conduct routine inspections, and coordinate calibration, repairs or replacements, as necessary and keeping within departmental budget requirements.</li> <li>Administer the allocation and monitoring of resources in the Science Prep Room, including preparation of equipment and materials required by teachers. Pre-testing procedure for new practicals, assisting teacher to make any alterations.</li> <li>Possess a strong understanding of the various equipment in Science, including the safe operation of a chemical fume cupboard and the ability to train others in its safe use.</li> <li>Troubleshoot technical issues that arise during the operation of equipment, assisting both teachers and students in resolving problems efficiently.</li> <li>Collaborate with the HOD Science and teachers to develop and update safe operating procedures, including solution dilution and preparation, within your area of responsibility.</li> <li>Maintain a detailed working knowledge of how to use Risk Assess and ChemWatch software, including the proficiency to instruct others on its use.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Engage in Ongoing Improvement and Innovation</strong></p> <ul> <li>Maintain and calibrate scientific equipment including microscopes, pH meters and specialised apparatus</li> <li>Monitor and maintain consumables to ensure continuous availability</li> <li>Perform annual stocktake and maintain the science inventory and manifest</li> <li>Keep accurate records for stock management, WHS compliance and chemical registers</li> <li>Engage in ongoing Professional Learning and support the ongoing innovation and improvements in Science.</li> <li>Develop skills in emerging Laboratory advancements.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Enhance Community Building</strong></p> <ul> <li>Support whole school science events such as Science Week, Open Day and subject information sessions</li> <li>Demonstrate a can do, solutions focused approach to all aspects of the role</li> <li>Oversee daily, weekly and term based laboratory operations to ensure smooth functioning across all science spaces</li> <li>Allocate and supervise tasks for laboratory staff, modelling high standards of organisation and professionalism</li> <li>Maintain a tidy, efficient and well organised workspace with excellent time management practices</li> <li>Build strong working relationships with science staff, grounds staff, accounts and other departments</li> <li>Develop and maintain positive relationships with staff, students, parents, carers, and the wider community.</li> <li>Maintain open lines of communication to address equipment-related issues, safety concerns, and provide timely updates on maintenance tasks.</li> <li>Collaborate with teachers to evaluate the effectiveness of equipment and propose recommendations for improvements or upgrades.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Lead Effective Organisation and Management</strong></p> <ul> <li>Support the HOD Science and other teaching staff to maintain a safe environment.</li> <li>Regularly inspect the Science Prep Room and Science Classrooms, ensuring compliance with safety guidelines and protocols. This includes inspecting emergency shower/eyebaths, classroom and personal issue PPE, maintaining appropriate compliance records.</li> <li>Work with the classroom teacher and the HOD Science to monitor the student learning environment for the safe handling of equipment, proper usage of tools/equipment, and adherence to safety procedures.</li> <li>Work in partnership with the HOD Science to lead and support the Laboratory Technician Assistant including supervision, monitoring and training.</li> <li>Actively promote a culture of safety and assist the HOD Science to develop safety training materials as needed.</li> <li>Be responsible for own health and safety and for the health and safety of persons under their direction.</li> <li>As the College Hazardous Chemical Coordinator work in partnership with the HR &amp; Compliance Officer to provide professional advice to HOD on the creation and maintenance of their department specific Chemical Registers. Conduct an annual compliance inspection of College Chemical Registers to review currency of registers, safety data sheets, hazardous chemical risk assessments, training and appropriate storage and segregation.</li> <li>Undertake other duties as appropriate for this role and maintain relevant qualifications for this position.</li> </ul> <p><strong>3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Workplace Health and Safety</strong></p> <p>Effective implementation of the College’s Workplace Health and Safety Manual requires the active involvement of all employees.&nbsp; All employees have an obligation to comply with statutory and organisational requirements, procedures and rules that are intended to protect the health and safety of persons at the workplace including the general public.</p> <p><strong>4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Commitment to Child and Cultural Safety</strong></p> <p>Pacific Lutheran College, Pacific Lutheran Early Learning Centre and Pacific Lutheran College Outside Hours School Care (OSHC) are committed to providing environments where children and students are safe, supported, and able to thrive. We have zero tolerance for child abuse, harm, neglect, or exploitation in any form. The safety and wellbeing of children and students is our highest priority and the paramount consideration in all decision‑making involving children and students. We recognise that safeguarding children and students requires deliberate, consistent action. This includes maintaining strong systems, building capability across our workforce, and ensuring that concerns are taken seriously and acted upon without delay.</p> <p>We are committed to:</p> <ul> <li>acting with the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children and students as the paramount consideration at all times</li> <li>meeting the 10 Child Safe Standards in every part and activity of our organisation</li> <li>creating culturally safe environments that are free of racism and discrimination, and upholding the right to cultural safety of all children, and especially those who are Aboriginal persons or Torres Strait Island persons (the universal principle)</li> <li>creating and maintaining environments that prevent harm and reduce risk through strong governance, supervision and safe practices</li> <li>listening to, respecting, and taking seriously the voices of children and students</li> <li>responding promptly and appropriately to concerns, disclosures, or allegations,&nbsp;including through fair and child‑centred processes</li> <li>complying with all legislative and regulatory child safety obligations, including mandatory reporting and the Reportable Conduct Scheme</li> </ul> <p>This commitment will be communicated to children,&nbsp;students, families and staff.&nbsp;&nbsp;Pacific Lutheran College, Pacific Lutheran Early Learning Centre and Pacific Lutheran College Outside Hours School Care (OSHC)&nbsp;will maintain accessible pathways for raising concerns.&nbsp;We are committed to regular training and educating our workers&nbsp;(including staff, volunteers, contractors, and leaders) on child and cultural safety.&nbsp;We do not tolerate child abuse or harm, racism or discrimination. We will take the steps necessary in line with our policies, procedures, risk management practices and codes of conduct to ensure that we maintain child and culturally safe environments. All workers (including staff, volunteers, contractors, and leaders) share responsibility for child safety&nbsp;and wellbeing and are expected to uphold this commitment in their roles.</p> <p><strong>5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Selection Criteria</strong></p> <p>As a key support role that will require ongoing learning and growth, the successful candidate will need to demonstrate or have the demonstrated capacity to develop the capabilities described below. The successful applicant will possess:</p> <p><strong>SC1</strong> Demonstrated ability to support the Christian ethos of the College.</p> <p><strong>SC2</strong>&nbsp;Demonstrated ability to work collegially in a school science laboratory/department and within guidelines provided by the Head of Department.</p> <p><strong>SC3&nbsp;</strong>Demonstrated ability to use scientific equipment, assembling, cleaning and storing of laboratory apparatus, rooms and equipment; and prepare a range of chemicals used in the College’s science program under the direction of the Head of Department.</p> <p><strong>SC4</strong> Demonstrated ability to apply workplace health and safety standards in the College’s science environment and programs, in relation to&nbsp;secure application, safe handling and storage of laboratory chemicals and biological specimens.</p> <p><strong>SC5</strong> Demonstrated ability in record keeping necessary for stock management and workplace health and safety.</p> <p><strong>6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Knowledge, Qualifications and Review</strong></p> <p>Salary and related conditions are in accordance with the current School Officers’ Award - Non-Governmental Schools and the Lutheran Church of Australia, Queensland District Certified Agreement.&nbsp; School officers will need to develop a professional learning plan each year and complete a review process on an annual basis. Non-teaching staff must have or be eligible to acquire a Blue Card, maintain their Suitability to Work with Children requirements and meet other mandates as specified by the government for working within schools. Please feel free to contact the Principal in relation to any queries regarding your application.</p> <p>Applicants must address the selection criteria and forward their application and cover letter to <a href="mailto:admin@pacluth.qld.edu.au?subject=Senior%20Science%20Laboratory%20Technician%20position%20%28via%20Teachers%20On%20Net%29" rel="nofollow">admin@pacluth.qld.edu.au</a>&nbsp; Attention: Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal, Pacific Lutheran College, by midday on Thursday 16th July 2026.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>