LOCATION PROFILE

"Our job is not to prepare students for something, it is our job to activate our students to prepare themselves for anything."

Adapted from AJ Juliani.

Bundoora Secondary College (BSC) is a secondary college in a quiet residential area of Bundoora, a northern suburb of Melbourne. We are an innovative, caring school and take great pride in knowing every member of our community (both staff and students) as individuals and as learners. The school is set on a well-developed, picturesque site adjacent to Gresswell Forest. The spacious grounds include a variety of playing fields and as our school farm continues to develop, a range of animal paddocks, productive gardens and indigenous flora plots.

Students at BSC are not bound by the traditional year level classes. The school is broken into three cohorts - ENTRY (level 7), PACE21 (levels 8-11), and GRADUATES (final year of study). Our broad pathways focus and vertical curriculum supports student's choice and provides flexibility across our learning program, ensuring that all students can engage in their learning at their point of interest and be challenged at their point of need.

BSC is currently experiencing a period of strong growth and we require staff who are flexible and generalist in their philosophy and thinking. We are a diverse and inclusive community and live by our school values - Respect, Responsibility, Resilience, Relationships and Rigour (the 5 Rs). BSC is a Child Safe school and expects all employees to be cognisant of the expectations upon them to contribute positively to our child safe environment.

ROLE

The BSC Hands on Learning Coordinator (HOLC) will primarily work with small groups of students who require additional support to remain engaged with their education. By assisting students to complete authentic and readily achievable school improvement projects and tasks, the HOLC will assist young adults to build self-confidence and self-esteem.

This full time position (1.0 EFT) may require some duties to be performed at times other than during the school day or when students are in attendance. Hours of work will be negotiated with the successful applicant upon appointment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Hands on Learning Coordinator will case manage a group of student with complex needs using a hands on approach to learning as the primary intervention.

Case Management at BSC has seven core aims:

• To enable students to function to the best of their ability and circumstances within and beyond the school system despite having support needs.
• To contribute to engaging students in meaningful learning, this would include in classes supporting students (includes setting firm limits with students and following through with consequences)
• To develop, monitor, disseminate, and evaluate a plan of action.
• To achieve a seamless service delivery through the coordination of and collaboration between external service providers.
• To actively involve and empower the student(s) and their parents/caregivers in decision-making processes.
• To assist teachers and school staff in their work with students who have support needs.
• Act as an advocate for students or ensuring that students have advocacy within the school or with outside agencies when needed.

The responsibility of the Hands on Learning Coordinator will include but not limited to:

• The development, planning, and implementation of projects in cooperation with students.
• The support of young people through delivery of competency based learning experiences gathering evidence to document student learning and achievement.
• The communication of student educational needs to build effective educational pathways for students.
• The building of strong supportive relationships for students that work to maintain their connection with the school community and modify behaviours.
• Working with students; assisting with school improvement projects such as, landscaping, fencing, paving, establishing gardens, building retaining walls, etc.
• Working with students; maintaining grounds, gardens, and garden equipment, including, mowing, watering, weeding, planting, pruning and sweeping/blowing paved areas.
• Contributing to the maintenance of a safe and healthy workplace by reporting accidents and hazards, and addressing risks.
• Contributing to the sense of 'school pride' by helping to ensure that the college and its grounds and gardens remain litter free.
• Ensuring that environmental sustainability is practised.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The BSC Hands on Learning Coordinator:

• Works collaboratively with the BSC Maintenance caretaker and other college staff on school improvement projects.
• Reports directly to the college principals.
• Provides support and advice to other staff as required.
• Liaises with external agencies and providers as required.

EXPERIENCE/SKILLS

It is expected that the BSC Hands on Learning Coordinator caretaker will possess the following experience/skills:

• A qualification and experience in social work / youth work.
• Experience with horticulture / landscaping / gardening / building & construction / animals (e.g. goats, chickens) essential.
• Previous experience working in a school environment, is desirable but not required.
• A current Working with Children Check.
• A current driver's licence.
• Comprehensive experience with power and garden tools.
• Strong commitment to the principles and practices of OH&S.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills, demonstrated by a rapport with all levels of the organisation, including young adults.
• High level of organisational and time management skills with an ability to manage and prioritise a number of concurrent tasks whilst meeting deadlines.
• Basic computer and literacy skills, with a working knowledge of computer programs including Word, Excel and Outlook etc.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

It is expected that the BSC Hands on Learning Coordinator will be safety conscious, professional, team-orientated, flexible, reliable, helpful and approachable, patient, and someone who takes pride in their work and environment.

The successful applicant will love sharing their knowledge and skills and have the flexibility and patience to work alongside teenagers, helping them to take part in school improvement projects.

SELECTION CRITERIA

A tertiary qualification in an Allied Health field (social work/youth work/mental health/psychology/ other) is mandatory.

1. Demonstrated high level knowledge of relevant policy context, evidence based approaches, programs and research relating to child and adolescent health and development.
2. A demonstrated capacity to effectively implement and manage intervention strategies that address advanced and complex cases including critical incidents and those involving cross-profession or agency collaboration.
3. Demonstrated high level organisational, communication and inter-personal skills including the ability to work effectively with children and young people, parents/carers and teachers as well as professionals in the education and health systems.
4. Demonstrated capacity to successfully develop, lead and manage programs in a blended learning environment that meet the identified needs of vulnerable students and parents/ carers.
5. A demonstrated capacity to deliver a hands on learning program to enhance engagement in learning and student wellbeing in a school setting.

WHO MAY APPLY

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfil the specific requirements of the position.

EEO AND OHS COMMITTMENT

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

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).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected] using the subject line: Hands on Learning Coordinator / Youth Worker / Social Worker enquiry via EthicalJobs.

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 here.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION VALUES

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department'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 department values is available here.

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

For further information, applicants are encouraged to contact:

Travis Clark, Acting Principal, Bundoora Secondary College.

[email protected] using the subject line: Hands on Learning Coordinator / Youth Worker / Social Worker enquiry via EthicalJobs

Phone: 03 9467 1511