Support Staff in Schools' Collective Agreement

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Part 3D Science Technician Remuneration

Support Staff in Schools' Collective Agreement
Effective 20 June 2022 to 19 December 2024

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  • 3D.1 Application
    • 3D.1.1 This Part 3D applies to employees to whom the Science Technicians’ Work Matrix Table set out in clause 3D.2 applies, whether designated as a science technician or not.

      3D.1.2 The following clauses from Part 3 do NOT apply to employees to whom Part 3D applies: clause 3.1; clause 3.2; clause 3.3; clause 3.4; clause 3.6; clause 3.7 and clause 3.8.

  • 3D.2 Work Matrix Table
    • 3D.2.1 The parties have agreed on the following Science Technicians’ Work Matrix Table. The Science Technicians’ Work Matrix Table applies to employees employed in a state or state-integrated school who work in a science laboratory role in support of the delivery of the science curriculum, such as laboratory assistants, science technicians, laboratory technicians, laboratory managers and other employees who are doing the same or substantially similar work. A full description of this work can be found in the Work Matrix Table.

      3D.2.2 The Science Technicians’ Work Matrix Table sets out the most common skills, responsibilities and demands that apply to science technicians working within Grades 1 to 3.

      3D.2.3 When determining where a role fits within the Work Matrix Table, an employer will need to assess the routine and ongoing skills, demands and responsibilities of the role, and not things that are a one-off or isolated event. Not every activity in a grade must be part of the role for the role to be placed in a particular grade, but the grade must recognise the highest-level skills, demands and responsibilities that are required for competent performance of the role.

      3D.2.4 The Science Technicians’ Work Matrix Table is set out below and applies from 23 November 2022.

      Grade General Description Supervision and Management Level of Necessary Skills and Knowledge Problem Solving Interpersonal and Communication Skills
       1 Holds responsibility for own work under general supervision

      No formal supervision or mentoring of others is required. 

      Monitors other people in the laboratory for health and safety compliance.

      As directed, prepares resources, equipment and learning environments to meet teacher requirements. This includes clearing away and counting equipment back in, safely disposing of waste, cleaning and storing science equipment and materials as required, and recognising and alerting supervisor when equipment is missing or in need of repair. 

      Undertakes general administration tasks for the science department.

      Not expected to take a lead in problem solving. 

      Uses clear patterns and procedures to deal with clearly defined problems or escalate up to supervisor.

      Communicates primarily on day-to-day issues and takes instruction from supervisor.
       2 Manages own work and day-to-day priorities under limited supervision. Often in a sole role and may manage several laboratories across the school.

      Trains teachers and students on laboratory practices, policies and procedures, including health and safety requirements. Trains teachers and students on laboratory practices, policies and procedures, including health and safety requirements. 

      Holds responsibility under limited supervision for all the science chemicals and hazardous substances at the school. 

      Runs or assists with risk assessments. 

      Assists with induction of new staff including other science technicians or science teachers. 

      Takes part in extra-curricular activities with students.

      Runs the scheduling and resource booking system ensuring teachers' requests are managed.   Runs the scheduling and resource booking system ensuring teachers' requests are managed. 

      Holds cultural knowledge related to sensitivities in science experiments.  

      Has knowledge of the science curriculum and shares relevant knowledge with others including teachers. 

      Sets up and demonstrates experiments to classes. 

      Supports students with class activities or preparing for external exams.  

      Maintains in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of health and safety procedures and practices. Shares this knowledge with teachers and students to uphold safety requirements and operate all experiments and equipment safely. 

      Develops, conducts, maintains and updates inventory and chemical registries. 

      Operates specialist apparatus and/or machinery to support curriculum delivery. 

      Researches, creates, builds, recalibrates, repairs and assembles resources such as chemicals and equipment. 

      Procures resources. 

      Keeps abreast of new developments in science through professional learning and development (PLD) as well as own and collaborative research with professional organisations.

      Operates within existing policies and procedures and identifies when issues need to be escalated. 

      Provides advice on new builds or rebuilds of the science block or laboratories.

      Provides advice and information on appropriate classroom practical activities and experiments to colleagues and students to ensure compliance with health and safety policies. 

      Provides advice and information on appropriate classroom practical activities and experiments to colleagues and students to ensure compliance with health and safety policies. 

      Provides feedback to teachers in cases where planned class activities are deemed unsuitable for the age group or not possible due to resource availability, safety issues or cost and time constraints. 

      Liaises with staff about individual student needs. 

      Produces bi-lingual labels and posters for science equipment and resources, includes respect for and basic knowledge of te reo Māori and tikanga and other cultures. 

      Builds and maintains relationships with resource and equipment suppliers.  3  Holds full responsibility for management of the laboratory or laboratories.

       

       3 Holds full responsibility for management of the laboratory or laboratories. Manages other science technicians or laboratory assistants including hiring, training and delegating or determining tasks and day to day work. 


      Holds the designated laboratory manager/taiwhanga kaiwhakahaere health and safety role for the science department.

      Uses knowledge of department needs and requirements to develop and manage budget accordingly to ensure adequate resources are available. 

      Collaborates with teachers on lesson planning, curriculum delivery and designing student assessments.

      Identifies, authorises and implements policy changes and uses initiative to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the laboratory and its health and safety protocols. Gives expert advice to those in more senior positions on laboratory policies and practice. 
  • 3D.3 Science Technician Pay Rates
    • 3D.3.1 The following pay rates apply to all employees who routinely undertake work described in the Science Technicians’ Work Matrix Table, whether designated as a science technician or not. These pay rates apply from 23 November 2022.

      3D.3.2 Only if an employee is on the top step in a grade may employers agree a pay rate above the printed rate for that step.

      3D.3.3 Science technician pay rates:

      Grade Step Hourly Rates
      effective
      23 November 2022
      Hourly Rates
      effective
      1 December 2022
      Hourly Rates
      effective
      1 December 2023
      1 1 $24.99 $26.91 $27.87
        2 $26.30 $28.22 $29.18
        3 $27.69 $29.61 $30.57
      2 1 $28.59 $30.51 $31.47
        2 $29.48 $31.40 $32.36
        3 $30.39 $32.31 $33.28
        4 $31.33 $33.25 $34.25
        5 $32.30 $34.22 $35.25
        6 $33.30 $35.22 $36.28
        7 $34.33 $36.25 $37.34
        8 $35.35 $37.27 $38.39
      3 1 $37.11 $39.03 $40.20
        2 $38.22 $40.14 $41.35
        3 $39.36 $41.28 $42.52
        4 $40.53 $42.45 $43.73
        5 $41.74 $43.66 $44.97
        6 $42.99 $44.91 $46.26
        7 $44.27 $46.19 $47.58
        8 $45.60 $47.52 $48.95

      Notes:

      • To calculate the indicative annual salary rate for a 40 hour/week, 52 week/year employee, the hourly rate will be multiplied by 2,080.
      • To calculate the indicative annual salary rate for a 37.5 hour/week, 52 week/year employee, the hourly rate will be multiplied by 1,950.
  • 3D.4 Translation to New Science Technician Pay Rates
    • 3D.4.1 Science technicians who were employed under this Agreement on or after 23 November 2022 will translate to the applicable pay equity rate based on the step or steps held from 23 November 2022, as set out in the table and additional details below:

      Current Grade Current Grade & Step Current Hourly Rate Translation Grade Translation Step Translation Hourly Rate
       A A1 $22.75 1 3 $27.69 
       B  B1  $22.75  2        $29.48 
      B2  $22.92  $30.39 
       C      C2  $22.92 3 $30.39
      C3  $23.69  $31.33 
      C4  $24.56  $32.30 
      C5  $25.43  $33.30 
      C6  $26.60  $34.33 
      C7  $27.17  $35.35 
      D D7 $27.17 3 1 $37.11
      Ranges of Rates $27.18-$28.76 2 $38.22
      $28.77-$30.34 3 $39.36
      $30.35-$31.93 4 $40.53
      $31.94-$33.52 5 $41.74
      $33.53-$35.10 6 $42.99
      $35.11-$36.68 7 $44.27
      D8 $36.69 8 $45.60

      3D.4.2 Science technicians whose hourly rate prior to translation exceeded the applicable Work Matrix Grade maximum hourly rate will retain that higher rate.

      3D.4.3 Translation is additional to, not a replacement for, annual progression under clause 3D.6 below.

  • 3D.5 Placement on Appointment
    • 3D.5.1 The employer will determine job descriptions and / or other written requirements and the applicable Work Matrix Grade for all positions as part of the recruitment process.

      3D.5.2 Upon appointment to a science technician position, the employee’s role must be placed in a Work Matrix Grade using the Science Technicians’ Work Matrix Table set out in clause 3D.2.

      3D.5.3 A science technician employed for two or more distinct positions, must be placed in the appropriate Work Matrix Grade for each position.

      3D.5.4 The pay rate can be at any step within the minimum and maximum rates of the applicable Work Matrix Grade. In determining the applicable step, the employer should also consider any particular skills and qualifications held by the science technician as well as any previous relevant paid or unpaid work experience.

      3D.5.5 Where an employee has previously been employed in a science technician role covered by the Science Technicians’ Pay Equity Claim Settlement, and the break in employment (including between employers) has been less than 12 months then the following applies:

      Based on information about their previous employment provided by the employee, placement on appointment must take into account their previous service as follows:

          • Where the skills / demands / responsibilities of the new role is within the same Work Matrix Grade as the previous role, the starting step should be at least the step they last held.
          • The employer should also consider any particular skills and qualifications held, as well as any previous relevant paid or unpaid work experience undertaken by the employee since they were last employed.
  • 3D.6 Progression within the Work Matrix Grades
    • 3D.6.1 Subject to clause 3D.6.2 below, from 23 November 2022, employees will progress through the steps included within a Grade on an annual basis, either on the employee’s anniversary date or, where no anniversary date is established, 12 calendar months from the effective date of the pay equity rates, and annually thereafter until the employee reaches the maximum step of their Grade. Progression does not occur beyond the top step of a Grade.

      3D.6.2 Progression will occur unless the employer considers that the employee has failed to meet standards of performance as assessed by the employer against the job description and/or written requirements for the position and has informed the employee of this in writing no later than two months prior to the progression due date.

      3D.6.3 An employee, who has the right to representation at any stage, may request their employer reconsider their salary progression.

      3D.6.4 For employees employed prior to 6 March 2023, if progression on the basis of the rules set out in clauses 3D.6.1 to 3D.6.3 above would put the employee in a worse position than they would have been in had they remained subject to the pay scale and progression rules existing prior to 23 November 2022, the employee shall be entitled to progress to the rate they would have been on under the previous system.

  • 3D.7 Pay Equity Review
    • 3D.7.1 The remuneration of employees who routinely undertake work described in the Science Technicians’ Work Matrix Table set out in clause 3D.2 will be reviewed periodically to ensure that pay equity is maintained. These reviews will be aligned with the collective bargaining round.

      3D.7.2 The parties agree to consider a range of available information as part of any review, including but not limited to, trends in changes to the Labour Cost Index, Consumer Price Index, and Treasury analysis of labour movements, as well as trends in changes to the remuneration of the comparator workforces used to assess the Science Technicians’ Pay Equity Claim.

  • 3D.8 Parental Payment
    • 3D.8.1 Where an employee to whom this Part 3D applies takes primary carer leave (as defined in section 2 of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987) after 6 March 2023, returns to duty before or at the expiration of their parental leave and completes a further six months service, they qualify for a payment equivalent to six weeks’ pay, at the rate applying for the six weeks immediately prior to the commencement of parental leave.

      3D.8.2 Provided that, if both parents are employed in the school, or the employee's partner is employed in the Education Service or Public Service, and are both eligible for payment, then they are entitled to one and only one payment, and they may choose (after they have qualified) who will receive it.

      3D.8.3 Any adjustments to the salary scale that are backdated into the period covered will apply.

      3D.8.4 An employee who is absent on parental leave for less than 6 weeks will have their payment prorated based on the period of absence on parental leave.

      3D.8.5 Any payment is to be based on the percentage rate of employment prior to absence on parental leave. However, an employee who works less than their normal hours for a short period only, prior to their commencing parental leave, may have their case for full payment considered by the employer.