LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

Recognized for its diversity, dedication to inclusion, and strong partnerships with the community, the Richmond School District is among one of the largest districts in British Columbia with some of the highest graduation rates in the province. With a long history of providing high quality experiences for students, the Richmond School District strives to be “The Best Place to Learn and Lead.”
Richmond School District operates 38 elementary schools, 10 secondary schools, alternate programs, continuing education and a number of additional facilities. The district enrolls approximately 23,700 students (K-12) and employs over 4000 dedicated staff.
As an employer, we provide comprehensive growth, learning and engagement opportunities to the 2,300 committed professionals across the district. This position provides laboratory technical support to the school science department by preparing, setting up and testing laboratory demonstrations and experiments. The incumbent ensures the chemical storage facility is set up and maintained according to appropriate safety regulations, and that laboratory equipment and other materials are maintained in a clean and operational order. This is a full-time 35 hour/week posting and is under the supervision of the School Administrator. Laboratory assignments are received from Teachers and work is carried out with minimal direction.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Grade 12 plus a Laboratory Technician diploma from a recognized institution.
• One year experience in a chemical laboratory environment.
• Extensive knowledge of safe chemical storage methods and standards.
• Thorough knowledge of equipment, methods and procedures related to a chemical storage facility and the preparation of standard laboratory equipment for demonstration and experiments.
• Thorough knowledge of WHMIS requirements and other safety procedures related to chemical laboratories.
• Working knowledge of computer software related to the position.
• Ability to organize workload, work under periodic pressure and complete assignments with minimal supervision.
• Good interpersonal skills.
  This is a union position, with an hourly rate of pay of $32.92 plus a benefit package of medical, extended health, dental and a pension plan.
  For more information about Richmond School District 38, please visit www.makeafuture.ca/richmond or our website at www.sd38.bc.ca. We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those being considered for interviews will be contacted.

(THIS IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF THE DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED)

• Sets up materials, chemicals and equipment for laboratory demonstrations. Sets up experiments by measuring, mixing and labelling chemicals, preparing chemical solutions and specimens for a variety of science classes.
• Ensures proper identification, storage and disposal of chemicals and solutions according to appropriate safety guidelines.
• Performs minor maintenance and repairs on science lab equipment such as cleaning, making adjustments and sending equipment out for service and repair.
• Assembles, cleans, sterilizes and stores specialized glassware and instruments.
• May provide assistance to Teachers during demonstrations or help monitor class experiments for safety purposes.
• Responds to science laboratory emergencies and cleans up hazardous spills as necessary.
• Maintains files relevant to the position such as inventories of chemicals, equipment and textbooks.
• Requisitions and cares for live specimens as required by the Science Department.
• Assists Educational Facilitator in the annual ordering of supplies and equipment.
• Performs general clerical duties related to the position such as filing, photocopying, filling out requisitions and data entry.
• Maintains familiarity with District and Government health and safety procedures and regulations that relate to the work performed and ensures compliance with WHMIS regulations within various science laboratories.
• Performs other job related duties of comparable importance, difficulty and responsibility as required.