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Head Start Coordinator

Job posted: 15/03/2023
Applications close: 28/03/2023 (Midnight)
6 days remaining

6 days remaining

Job Description

Location: Melbourne | Eastern Metropolitan

Job type: Full time / From 24/04/2023 - 26/06/2026

Organisation: Education and Training

Salary: Salary not specified

Occupation: Education and Training

Reference: 1336748

Reference: 1336748

Occupation: Education and Training

Salary Range: Salary not specified

Work location: Melbourne | Eastern Metropolitan

Selection Criteria

SC1 Demonstrated knowledge and experience in middle and senior year student career pathways and the interconnect with meaningful student outcomes;

SC2 Demonstrated capacity to engage students or industry with program models and manage program data in accordance with government and education policy;

SC3 Experienced in advanced interventions in dealing with particularly complex cases that may require cross-profession or industry collaboration;

SC4 Effective communication skills when engaging with various stakeholders and levels of management including a commitment to the DET values;

SC5 Effective management of personal workload and motivation to deliver a program that rests across a large number of stakeholders, including student and support networks, schools and education systems, industry and workplace compliance and overarching state and Commonwealth regulations;

SC6 Demonstrated proficiency in data systems and analysis.

Role

Range 4 is distinguished by broader management responsibility, particularly in the areas of finance, human resource and other support functions.  Range 4 is responsible for managing a range of functions under a wide range of conditions, subject to the size and complexity of school operations. 

Head Start is a wraparound service provision that powers school-based apprenticeships and traineeships. Head Start aims to improve the outcomes, quality assurance and equitable distribution of opportunities for senior secondary and special education students who undertake school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs). Head Start also considers middle school students’ preparedness for success in the SBATs program. The Head Start SBAT program was piloted in over 150 schools from 2019 with strong outcomes. The expansion of the program will ensure access to all Victorian government secondary schools, including special schools, and Flexible Learning Options.

The program will introduce more rigorous SBAT compliance and monitoring across the system supporting the state’s response to the 2020 Review into Vocational and Applied Learning Pathways in Senior Secondary Schooling (the Firth Review) reform agenda in senior secondary and vocational education. These reforms will collectively support all Victorian secondary students to pursue high-quality and valued vocational pathways aligned to their strengths and interests and to finish schooling with the skills and capabilities they need for success in further education, training, work, and life. The expansion of SBATs will also assist in addressing prioritised skill shortages by providing employers with support and access to school-based apprentices and trainees. The Head Start SBAT program includes flexible delivery of the senior secondary certificate with a strong focus on literacy and numeracy attainment; quality training delivered concurrently with secondary school education; and time on the job to support achievement of competencies.

The option to maximise time in employment has proven to support students’ genuine progression through the apprenticeship or traineeship whilst meeting employer requirements. The program provides students with a clear pathway from school into employment with a qualification.

The Head Start Coordinator is a professional role, delivering a critical management and support function using a student-centred approach. The coordinator may engage or support students from up to 50 government secondary and specialist schools, as well as Flexible Learning Options settings that align with one of the twelve program hubs across Victoria.

Reporting directly to the Head Start Hub Director; the Head Start Coordinator will:

  • develop and support Head Start arrangements that align with individual student’s stated career aspirations and interests supported by a collaborative sign-up process;
  • support the student’s progress through school and training; regularly undertaking site visits and reviewing the appropriateness of the work or training site;
  • provide students with relevant and practical skills development for the workplace and training settings; and provide a safe, supportive and positive environment that values professional development;
  • ensure appropriate support levels are maintained across the school/s providing key support and timely advice to the Hub Director, teachers and career practitioners
  • develop and implement professional support tools for the success of the Head Start program, including guidance to teaching, career, employer and other professional staff;
  • liaise with the general school community, the department and other government agencies; training, employer and other related service providers when needed;

support the Head Start service provided to students or industry alongside program colleagues from across the state by identifying improvement opportunities and risk for strong student outcomes.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students, but must not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor.  Supervision of students cannot be required except where it is an integral part of the employee's position or involves supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

Responsibilities

  • Manage the delivery of a range of program support services using a student-centred approach across schools or industry, including coordinating the student workplace matching process;
  • Determine work priorities, schedule and approach consistent with overall school and department policy frameworks; and manage relationships with school staff to ensure program goals are achieved;
  • Develops and maintains strong relationships with key program stakeholders such as students and their support networks, employers, training providers, Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs) and the local community.
  • Negotiate and manage contracts and service agreements relating to the program; and act on behalf of the Head Start leadership team in the delivery of student and/or industry services;
  • Develops and seeks to improve successful interconnections between the senior secondary reform programs; and identifies and responds to any unforeseen touch points or risks with such programs and other departmental initiatives alongside state-wide colleagues delivering the Head Start SBATs program;
  • Maintains detailed records for each student and industry engagement involved in the Head Start SBATs program; including interpret and analyse data to inform and provide authoritative advice to school and program leadership;
  • Supervision of students can be required where it is an integral part of the employee’s position or in circumstances where supervision is required individually or in groups up to 4 in controlled circumstances and where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.
  • Other duties as directed.

Who May Apply

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position. A tertiary qualification that will add value to the context of education, training and skills opportunities for students.

An understanding of the school setting, particularly the relationships between middle and senior secondary education with career pathways is desired.

A current driver’s licence.

This position will require the candidate to allocate a minimum of two weeks leave allowance to work during the school vacation period, additional leave allowance may be considered.

EEO AND OHS Commitment

The Department of Education 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.  It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants can contact Brett West, Yamatji man, in the Koorie Outcomes Division to talk about the recruitment process, the Department and supports for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in the Department. Mobile: 0477 726 801 or email on: brett.west@education.vic.gov.au

Child Safe Standards

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

DET Values

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

Other 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.

Conditions of Employment

  • All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
  • Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
  • 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

Location Profile

Mullauna College in Mitcham is a child-safe learning environment. Our school has a long and proud history of academic excellence and providing a stimulating and secure learning environment for students.  Our vision is that we are a vibrant learning community in which all members of the community are continually learning and striving to improve. In this we exemplify the college motto of ‘Success Through Learning Together’. Students are supported and encouraged to aspire to achieve their personal best in academic and co-curricular endeavours, and to be persistent and resilient learners who value curiosity in themselves and others.

While the college focus is very much on academic excellence, the belief that happy, healthy, resilient students learn best and achieve their best is a guiding philosophy. Students are supported in their intellectual, emotional, social and physical development by a highly professional group of teachers and education support staff. In the classroom, the focus is on creating a learning environment that is current, stimulating, rigorous, values excellence and centred on the learning of every child. Mullauna College provides students with access to up-to-date ICT resources that supports our ‘anywhere, anytime’ learning philosophy. We believe that it is essential that our students see themselves as global citizens who have a valuable contribution to make society at every level. Students participate in a comprehensive co-curricular program that includes camps, sport, music, the performing arts, debating, leadership, student governance and service.

Mullauna College is entering an exciting new era with a recent $5.23 million building and Master Plan Grant which will initially see development in the west wing of the school.

This follows significant upgrade of learning spaces in 2017 which accommodates flexible curriculum opportunities for students and facilitates teachers’ innovative and collaborative practice.  The facilities upgrade is a mix of new and renovated spaces and includes:

  • a new Junior Learning Centre and renovated science classrooms
  • a new Arts and Design Centre
  • a Makerspace for interdisciplinary, STEM learning
  • a tiered external seating area and landscaping linking the new buildings
  • a new Master Chef style kitchen and pantry
  • a renovated library building which accommodates a library and a spacious Staff Centre which brings all teachers out of satellite staff rooms and into the one building
  • a VCE Learning Centre and Common Room
  • expansive new outdoor courts, recreational seating and BBQ lunch shelter
  • a large new deck which links the Music Centre with the Performing Arts Centre
  • extensive landscaping work
  • a significant upgrade of the entrance to the college from Mitcham Road.

The college has developed the innovative Makerspace precinct which provides a learning environment where all teachers from every faculty can deliver STEM curriculum particularly for students in years 7 to 9. The college supports teachers in offering students opportunities to be involved in big projects that encompass a variety of disciplines and which facilitate authentic, deep learning using state-of-the-art technology.

Position:

Education Support - Head Start Coordinator

Classification:

Education Support 1-4

Responsible to:

The Principal Team

Time Fraction:

1.0 = 38 Hours

Other:

 

 

Head Start Coordinator

Job type:

Full time / From 24/04/2023 - 26/06/2026

Job classification:

Not provided

Contact:

Harald Ruff | 03 9874 3422

Head Start Coordinator