SC 1        Demonstrated behaviour and attitudes consistent with the Victorian Public Service values.

SC 2        Demonstrated proficiency to work cooperatively and build sustained partnerships with and between a range of stakeholders including students, parents, school-based practitioners, Registered Training Organisations, Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs), apprenticeship support networks and employers.

SC 3        Ability to work both independently and within a geographically dispersed team, adhering to program guidelines. Contribute to improving the implementation of Head Start within the Loddon Campaspe cluster.

SC 4        Capacity to support young people through regular site visits and mentoring.

SC 5        Excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to self-manage caseloads.

SC 6        High-level verbal and written communication skills, which includes preparation of reports, development of resources, and presentations as required.

The Head Start Coordinator is responsible for developing and supporting Head Start arrangements between students, employers, training providers and schools as part of the Head Start Cluster team.

This will include building employer and industry connections to source and support the delivery of Head Start apprenticeships and traineeships in their local area.

The Coordinator will be required to work in partnership with the existing 7 cluster staff members to continue to build and sustain relationships with multiple stakeholders including TAFE, the LLEN, Apprenticeship Support Networks, pathways and career practitioners and other student-centred teams within participating schools.

The Coordinator will report to the Head Start Cluster Director and will be required to contribute to the development of the Head Start team and program, and to provide regular reports on activity and outcomes.

Head Start apprenticeships and traineeships (HSAT) are characterised as meeting employer requirements and providing a strong pathway for students wishing to transition from school into employment with qualifications in their chosen field.

The successful candidate will be part of a team of 6.0 coordinators and 1 x 0.7 administration manager led by the Cluster Director.

At times, Head Start Coordinators working within the cluster may be called upon to undertake work within any of the sub-clusters being served by the entire Head Start staffing team.

Head Start Coordinators are currently assigned to school sub-clusters as follows:

• Gisborne and Kyneton Secondary College x 1.0 Head Start Coordinator
• Maryborough Education Centre, Castlemaine Secondary College and Wedderburn P – 12 College  x 1.0 Head Start Coordinator
• 5 x Bendigo Government Secondary Schools, East Loddon P – 12 College, Boort District P
• - 12 School, Pyramid Hill P – 10 College x 3.0 Head Start Coordinators
• Echuca College, Rochester Secondary College, Kyabram and Rushworth P – 12 Colleges x 1.0 Head Start Coordinator

• Work closely with individual school and regional careers and pathways staff to inform students about, and recruit students into Head Start.
• Develop good knowledge and understanding of secondary school qualifications and operations.
• Work and negotiate with school staff to map VCE and VCAL certificate requirements to create flexibility in individual student’s school program to support Head Start program implementation.
• Manage the maintenance of confidentiality in respect to all school records and communication systems.
• Build employer networks and recruit employers for the Head Start Program.
• Determine the suitability of students, employers and training providers for Head Start, in consultation with schools and with support from the Cluster Director.
• Develop Head Start pathways and training plans in consultation with students and their parents/carers, schools, employers and Head Start approved training providers.
• Monitor each student’s pathway and training agreement, undertake reviews of the training plan, and liaise with the student, school, training provider and employer to support the implementation of the agreement and training plan.
• Assist schools to actively monitor, coach and support students to ensure they are meeting all requirements of their senior secondary certificate as well as their apprenticeship or traineeship.
• Interpret and analyse data to inform and provide authoritative advice to senior management.
• Contribute to the development of policy and operational practices that will influence the strategic approach to student support and learning.
• Contribute to the development of a cohesive team-based work culture that places young people at the centre of the Head Start team’s work and provides daily opportunities for enjoyment in the work being undertaken.

Other duties as required.

Those with relevant qualifications and/or experience. Applicants with a teaching background can be considered for this position and are encouraged to apply. The maintenance of a teaching classification may be considered as part of the appointment process.

The Department of Education and Training is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms – gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department.  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

The Department’s employees commit to upholding DET’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DET’s Values complement each school’s own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the DET values is available at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/Public-Sector-Values.aspx

The position requires attendance of 30 days during school vacation periods each year. The employee will be paid a leave purchase allowance for that attendance. Some out of hours work will occur at activities such as school based subject selection evenings or employer forums. Time Shift/Time in Lieu arrangements will be utilised to compensate for these additional hours of work undertaken.

A current Working with Children Check is mandatory.

Head Start staff may be required to work across a number of schools and visit workplaces. A current driver’s licence and the capacity to access private transport will be necessary. Head Start staff will be entitled to reimbursement, through the edupay system for travel under DET’s “Reimbursement of Travel and Personal Expenses” policy and guidelines. At present reimbursement for use of private vehicle rates are 72 cents per km based upon Australian Taxation Office rates.

Important information:

• Applicants should keep a copy of the position description as it cannot be accessed once the job has closed.
• Candidates are advised that the key selection criteria must be addressed. Visit http://www.careers.vic.gov.au/vacancies/tips-for-applying for guidelines and tips for applying for government positions and addressing key selection criteria.
• The Department of Education and Training (DET) is committed to diversity. The Department places considerable effort and resources into responding to the needs of employees with a disability. People from disadvantaged groups are encouraged to apply for this position.
• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Successful applicants are subject to a satisfactory criminal record check prior to employment. New DET employees are required to meet the cost of the criminal record check.
• If appointed from outside DET, successful applicants will be required to complete a pre-employment health declaration.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided. Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department’s Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages.default.aspx
• All DET employees are required to comply with relevant legislation, including legislation regarding the management of Departmental records, the Code of Conduct for Victorian public sector employees and Departmental policies and procedures in the conduct of their employment.
• To support DET's commitment to its Environmental Management System, DET employees are expected to act in an environmentally responsible manner at all times.

For further information phone or email

Kim Hanson
Head Start Admin. Manager
0447 191 594

kim.hanson@education.vic.gov.au

Applicants are advised to include:

A detailed response to the Selection Criteria no greater than 2 pages, their Curriculum Vitae, and the names and phone numbers of two to three professional referees.

All applications are to be submitted via Recruitment Online.

A person is not eligible for employment in the Teaching Service unless that person meets the vaccination requirements on commencement in the position.

This position will be hosted by Gisborne Secondary College and work between Gisborne Secondary College, and Kyneton High School.

Loddon Campaspe Cluster

The Loddon Campaspe Head Start Cluster works to support 17 government schools that provide secondary level education and their associated communities extending from Gisborne Secondary College to the South, through to Echuca College in the North. Since its implementation, the cluster team has supported over 270 young people to move into Head Start School Based Apprenticeships/Traineeships. These young people have been employed by approximately 250 Loddon Campaspe based employers. The Loddon Campaspe Head Start Cluster is one of 10 clusters within Victoria with a target to achieve an additional 1700 new apprenticeships and traineeships from 2019-2022 across the State. The initiative is part of a suite of Education State Careers and Pathways Reforms. The Loddon Campaspe Head Start Cluster is overseen by a Board comprising 12 school principals and some associate members including the Cluster Director who reports to the Board.

Head Start Coordinators are expected to be highly mobile, building relationships with employers, training providers and other agencies, visiting students and their families at schools and at their workplace, and collaborating with their colleagues. This is a great opportunity to be part of a motivated and skilled team establishing strong pathways for Loddon Campaspe students and supporting local employers to develop our young people into skilled, highly valued employees. 

Essential admin. and team coordination support is provided through the teams Admin. Manager working 0.7 EFT.

Whilst this position is advertised within the Education Support employment category, at least one Head Start Coordinator is from a teaching background and has renumeration within the teaching salary classification range.