Job Description

Any discussions concerning the job go here.
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rae
Posts: 1045
Joined: 31 May 2006, 10:00
School: Oxley College
Suburb: Burradoo
State/Location: NSW

Re: Job Description

Post by rae »

Hi All,

I know this is an old topic, however I am just about to have my job description formalised. I have been here 4 years and there hasn't been one in that time. Just wondering if there was another topic on the forum somewhere that people had actually posted job descriptions.
If so where?
If not ,does anyone have one they could post here or fax to me. I just want to get an idea of what things are included eles where so nothing is left out.

Thanks

Lorrae
fax no: 0248613328
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Ocean Breeze
Posts: 798
Joined: 01 Jun 2006, 10:00
Job Title: Lab Manager
State/Location: NSW

Re: Job Description

Post by Ocean Breeze »

Hi rae

I wrote my own job description in the end.
The other was pretty broad. Problem with writing down everything that you do, is that someone down the track can then hold you to it.

Problem with NOT writing your own, is that people just then think
that you are a mere washer-upper-er, and what on earth do you find to do all day?

a teacher ( non science) once asked me ..re sports day, when there were no students in school ....
"You must get bored and be at a loose end when the teachers are away"

Cough! splutter!!yes! i was speechless..... 8O :banghead2: :banghead: :club:

Seems there was a final clause in the original job description (when I took up employment) that read something like :

"...and other duties as requested by the teacher or principal" :rules:


That pretty much covers everything

which is pretty much what we do.
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smeee
Posts: 617
Joined: 02 Jun 2006, 10:00
Job Title: Lab Technician
School: LaSalle Catholic College
Suburb: Bankstown
State/Location: NSW

Role Description

Post by smeee »

Can anyone help please.....

As a follow on from the National Forum on Status of Lab Technicians...I need to find a role description from NSW DET schools.

Please PM or email me with details
mcr@lasalle.nsw.edu.au

Thanks :clap3:
Judy R
Posts: 103
Joined: 19 Mar 2008, 10:33
State/Location: QLD

Re: Role Description

Post by Judy R »

There is an excellent description for Technicians and their jobs on the CLEAPSS site.This is in the UK however very pertinent to our job descriptions.
Go to cleapss.org.uk
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smeee
Posts: 617
Joined: 02 Jun 2006, 10:00
Job Title: Lab Technician
School: LaSalle Catholic College
Suburb: Bankstown
State/Location: NSW

Re: Role Description

Post by smeee »

Thanks Judy....but we are after the DET NSW role description so that in the end we will have a role description similar to CLEAPPS
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Labbie
Posts: 3234
Joined: 28 Nov 2006, 10:00
Job Title: Retired
Suburb: At Home
State/Location: NSW

Re: Role Description

Post by Labbie »

Good luck, as each Principal starts here, I have given them my own duties. I have never seen it written down. I have merged these posts.
Regards Labbie

Lab Manager/Lab Tech, mind reading etc etc
Now retired :wub:
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Labbie
Posts: 3234
Joined: 28 Nov 2006, 10:00
Job Title: Retired
Suburb: At Home
State/Location: NSW

Re: Job Description

Post by Labbie »

Their is a statement of duties on the PSA web site for all to see. But guess what no word of science in their that I could see. http://www.psa.labor.net.au Then click on Schools on the left hand side.
Regards Labbie

Lab Manager/Lab Tech, mind reading etc etc
Now retired :wub:
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Labbie
Posts: 3234
Joined: 28 Nov 2006, 10:00
Job Title: Retired
Suburb: At Home
State/Location: NSW

Re: Job Description

Post by Labbie »

See the PSA put out a statement yesterday. In their 28 Oct 2010 news letter.
Quota
School Administrative officer Recruitment & Transfer:
The Department prosposed that school administrative officer positions to be filled by service transfer or recruitment coulde be better matched and advertised to meet schools' needs. This could prevent school administrative officers being required to undertake specialist duties they did not feel capable of eg in Science Laboratories.
The Association agreed to discurss this issue during term 4 2010. end of quota

Could be very interesting???????????????? What are your views.
Regards Labbie

Lab Manager/Lab Tech, mind reading etc etc
Now retired :wub:
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Narelle01
Posts: 1122
Joined: 30 Nov 2009, 13:28
State/Location: NSW

Re: Job Description

Post by Narelle01 »

I agree that when advertising for a SAO - that the ad should state where the position is.
At the present, you see the ad, you contact the school to ask where the position is located, the school doesn't respond because often the contact person is the principal and they are too busy, you submit your application and wait and see.

Time wouldn't be wasted by both parties if the ad was for SAO - Library, SAO - Science for eg.

MHO
mazcheck
Posts: 61
Joined: 26 May 2010, 12:02
State/Location: NSW

Re: Job Description

Post by mazcheck »

".....school administrative officers being required to undertake specialist duties they did not feel capable of eg in Science Laboratories." I am one of those. I was working casually as a SAO when I was asked to work in the science/food tech area for 2 terms. Tentatively I agreed because I wanted regular work but I did feel out of my depth. When the job came up for advertisment, no mention was made of science not even during the interview. I applied for the job because I found that I was enjoying the work and the variety in my days. (I was successful in my application) It has been a steep learning curve for me as I have no training whatsoever in science other than C.S.I.S however I am feeling more and more comfortable and capable as I learn "on the job". I must say that "Chemtalk" is a resource I couldn't do without.
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Labbie
Posts: 3234
Joined: 28 Nov 2006, 10:00
Job Title: Retired
Suburb: At Home
State/Location: NSW

Re: Job Description

Post by Labbie »

Hi Mazcheck, welcome to chemtalk, we are all here to help you, in any way we can. Some of us are :crazy: others like :coffee: we have a :cheesy: and joke at times. But we a human Science Tech's or managers. Welcome.
Regards Labbie

Lab Manager/Lab Tech, mind reading etc etc
Now retired :wub:
annettstanley
Posts: 62
Joined: 09 Jul 2010, 15:19
Job Title: laboratory technician
School: Calrossy
Suburb: Tamworth
State/Location: NSW

Re: Job Description

Post by annettstanley »

hi
I must say I am totally with mazcheck. I am new to the science area and also on a very big learning curve [-o< but with the help of chemtalk and a few very helpful local labbies that I know am becoming more confident everyday.

big :clap3: :clap3: :clap3: to all of you

Annett
Annett Stanley
Tamworth
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lizzieb
Posts: 983
Joined: 04 Jul 2006, 10:00
Job Title: Labbie
State/Location: NSW

Re: Job Description

Post by lizzieb »

Welcome Mazcheck! It's good to have you 'on board'.

As Annett says, chemtalk's a fabulous learning tool, and maybe you too have a local network you can call on - if not, get one happening!
Many, if not most, of us in the DET system (certainly in the country areas) come to this job without prior training, and can often feel we've been thrown in the deep end. This website keeps me sane (we-ell, maybe might disagree :crazy:), knowing there's support any time I need it, and laughter to get through the rough days.

Enjoy the journey - one day soon you'll realise how comfortable you are with the job, and how much you actually do know!
Liz

Life keeps getting better every day!
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General
Posts: 45
Joined: 26 Jul 2006, 10:00
State/Location: TAS

Re: Job Description

Post by General »

We have about 500 students in the 7-10 campus. Then there is the calls from the year 4-6 teachers who want to do something in our labs and need my help, not to mention the year 5s have a taster day which always includes science. Did I mention we have four feeder primary schools as well as our own and each gets a day. Then there is Science week. The primary campus wants in on that too. We have had building work down which gave us a third lab and no storage area. So workload increase and after 12 months am still trying to organise equipment storage. All that and I am still only working 0.52. I should take it as a compliment that they believe I can make it all work.
dss8386
Posts: 76
Joined: 28 May 2009, 14:15
Job Title: Laboratory Assistant
School: St. Augustines College
Suburb: Cairns
State/Location: QLD

Re: Job Description

Post by dss8386 »

I work at a school with approximately 750+ students and work 28 hours a week. I find it tough during the busy times of the year and sometimes have to come in on my da off (Wednesday) so I am not inundated with work on Thursday.I even have to come in school holidays to get those big jobs done that are otherwise impossible to do during the term. I have to say the school has been great and my boss wants me to work more hours but I guess ill have to wait for the year 7's to start in 2014/5.

I dont know how many hours I should be doing but given I am the only Labbie here, I should be full time. I come in on Thursday and sometimes can't believe how trashed the labs are. I have been told it is not in the budget for more hours. This position is from 10 years ago and the previous labbie refused to work 5 days a week.

JUst a quick note in regards to labbies not being important, we are getting new labs and they have drawn up plans for the new labs. Apparently they have made the prep room smaller then what I have now, less storage and NO office. They forgot my office and now have to take some space out of the labs. Another thing, they have put in a Chem store but are not going to put in my brand new flammables cupboard. They have told me that because the chem store in fire proof there is no need for a flammables cupboard.....what about the fumes, what about imcopatibles, if there are any fires, it will be like a chain reaction....I sometimes wonder if anyone really understands my job....obviosuly not
RosalieM
Posts: 1795
Joined: 20 Mar 2007, 10:00
Job Title: Lab Assistant
Suburb: Tamworth
State/Location: NSW

Re: Job Description

Post by RosalieM »

For real?? Do you get paid for coming in on your 'day off'? Or your work in the holidays? Maybe if you just say to them "I refuse to do unpaid overtime" and the teachers then complain higher up etc then you will be able to get your hours increased. That is insane to have a school that big and only 4 days/week. Or what about if you work shorter days, but go in every day? I am 30 hours which is classed as 4 days/week but I work 6 hours 5 days/week so maybe for your 28 hours you could do 5.5 hours/day? If you find it difficult to escape at the end of the day then make sure you finish after school finishes and start after school starts. I had to do that because in the mornings I would get all the "I forgot to" orders and then instead of leaving at 3pm (school finishes 3:10) I would get caught doing other things so now I start at 9 (classes start about 8:45) so there can be no last minute orders for first thing in the morning and I get 20 min after school is over to do things which only sometimes gets taken up by teachers coming to see me for whatever reasons. You are right, nobody really understands our jobs except other labbies! But then, all of us are in different situations with different expectations so even then we don't REALLY know, but we have a pretty good idea!
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jodye
Posts: 95
Joined: 11 Feb 2008, 10:31
Suburb: central coast
State/Location: NSW

Re: Job Description

Post by jodye »

David, I feel your pain! We have 1100+ students ( year 7-12),7 labs,9 teachers & 3 prep rooms & I have only 26hours a week to do everything in. Like you, i come in during schools holidays( not paid) to get the bigger things done. My HOD is asking for more hours for me but I have been told the funding isn't there for more hours...but funnily enough,Admin seem to be able to get more staff????
dss8386
Posts: 76
Joined: 28 May 2009, 14:15
Job Title: Laboratory Assistant
School: St. Augustines College
Suburb: Cairns
State/Location: QLD

Re: Job Description

Post by dss8386 »

I get time in lieu for coming in for holidays. I have 4 days time in lieu and I plan to take them at the end of the term when my dad visits me. I don't get paid any extra but because I love my job and its my 1st permanent job (after 4 schools) so i dont mind. I have thought about coming in for 5 days but the problem is I have a casual job i work on Sunday to make up full time hours and just gone back to Uni so having a Wednesday off is a blessing. The school about 10 years ago barely made 400+ students but being a regional school and offering boarding to the remote Cape York communities and with the years 7's starting soon, the school is growing very quickly. at the moment I have 35 science classes a week plus I help out for morning tea on Friday (catering) all expected to be done in 28hrs a week.

I have thought about coming in later etc but early mornings is when i get most of the odd jobs jobs as well as last minute pracs. During the term I dont get much time for cleaning so i have basically told the teachers that i will go through all the labs at the end of term to top up and clean up any mess, but any mess during the term is the responisbilites of teachers and students. I dont get the time to run around cleaning up after people. I have had a couple teachers complain about the state of the labs during EEI's and basically said to the teacher sorry I dont have the time at the end of each lesson to clean you will have to discuss it with the teacher responsible...hopefully if they complain enough i might get more hours.

Most mornings I start at 7:30am instead of 8 because that way I miss all the traffic and on days there are not many labs going, I sneak out at 3pm instead of 3:30pm.

The only people that seem to understand my role is my boss who is fantastic and has pushed hard to get me more hours. Most of the science teachers understand my role and are really easy to deal with. At least i know the science teachers appreciate my work...after all we are the backbone of the science department and without us, I would hate to know how the labs would be....
dss8386
Posts: 76
Joined: 28 May 2009, 14:15
Job Title: Laboratory Assistant
School: St. Augustines College
Suburb: Cairns
State/Location: QLD

Re: Job Description

Post by dss8386 »

wow Jodye, How do you cope???

I barely manage with my work load but you situation is ridiculous!!!! I dont understand how they work out hours for lab assistants because It varies between schools and also there budget. I work at a very well off private school so money is not the issue, admin think i hide in the labs doing nothing...i would like them to have a go in the labs for one day...i guarantee they would not have a clue. especially after they enter the chem store!!! Fume heaven.

Seems like are first priority and us labbies are forgotten about. I keep getting more and more jobs to do for e.g Risk assessments, OHS, Fire Warden you name it but no extra hours....I think I have finish with my ranting...
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sunray18
Posts: 1488
Joined: 14 Feb 2008, 12:30
State/Location: NSW

Re: Job Description

Post by sunray18 »

We are expected to do more and more every year - Risk Assessments, Fire safety, Registers etc etc - and yet we do not get any more hours. I think that if you keep doing work outside your paid hours, then the school will continue to only employ you for those hours - why would they pay out more to you when they are getting all that work for free?
Come on people - we DESERVE proper wages for our work - we are not a CHARITY.
An experienced labtech hounded me for a few years for doing more hours than I was paid for - up to 60 hours a week when paid for 30. He told me I was not doing myself any favours, and I certainly was not enhancing the status of labtechs in schools. He was so right. weren't you Ocker!
While we act as doormats, we will continue to be treated as a dorrmat.
We need to stand up and demand recognition of the contribution we make to education - we are professionals and deserve to be treated as such.
SO - please please please STOP doing unpaid hours .
Yes everything will fall apart, yes there will be messes everywhere - but it is NOT your responsibility - it is the responsibility of the Principal to properly staff the school - and not employing labtechs for adequate hurs is not efficient staffing.
Hold out until the necessity for your extra hours is recognised.
Otherwise we will all be 'servants' all our working life
Do it for future generations of Labtechs!
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