• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in middle and senior year student career pathways and the interconnect with meaningful student outcomes;
• Demonstrated capacity to engage students or industry with program models and manage program data in accordance with government and education policy;
• Experienced in advanced interventions in dealing with particularly complex cases that may require cross-profession or industry collaboration;
• Effective communication skills when engaging with various stakeholders and levels of management including a commitment to the DET values;
• 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;
• Demonstrated proficiency in data systems and analysis.

 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. 

• 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.

A tertiary qualification that will add value to the context of education, training and skills opportunities for students

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

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

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

A current employee Working with Children Check card is mandatory.

Staff may be required to work across a number of school sites and visit workplaces.

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.

• 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 https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/health/childprotection/Pages/safeenviro.aspx?Redirect=1
• 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