• Department: Staughton SC
• Location: Keilor Downs College 
• Classification: ES level 1 Range 3 (ES3) 
• Begin Date: 3 May 2021
• End date: 30 June 2022 
• Hours: 38.00 
• Contact name: Marg O’Shea
• Phone: 0438 030 166

Location Profile

This position will be located at Keilor Downs College. Staughton College will be the employer of the Head Start Administration Manager as part of the distribution of responsibilities for staffing across the Head Start cluster.

Head Start is an exciting new $49.8m (over 4 years) initiative from the State Government to increase the numbers of students undertaking high quality apprenticeships and traineeships while still completing their senior secondary studies through flexible arrangements. 

Head Start apprenticeships and traineeships 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 three core components of a Head Start apprenticeship or traineeship include: flexible delivery of VCAL or VCE with a strong focus on literacy and numeracy; quality training delivered concurrently with time on the job to support achievement of competencies; maximised time in employment to support genuine progression through the apprenticeship or traineeship.

Head Start is being rolled out in 100 schools in 10 sites across Victoria with targets to achieve an additional 1,700 new apprenticeships and traineeships from 2019–2022. The initiative is part of a suite of Careers and Pathways Reforms including $109m for careers education with a strong focus on Years 7–9 and $25.9m to strengthen vocational education in schools.

The secondary schools in Brimbank Melton have a long history of commitment to and collaboration on vocational education. All mainstream government secondary schools in Brimbank Melton are participating in our Head Start Cluster to provide their students with a pathway to completing their VCE or VCAL while getting started on a career path in an industry with proven demand.  The Head Start cluster is overseen by a Board comprising the school principals and led by the Cluster Director who reports to the Board. The successful candidate will be part of a team of three Head Start Coordinators, a Leading Teacher Learning Leader and one Administrator led by the Cluster Director.

Staughton College will be the host employer of the Head Start Administration Manager.  The Head Start Administration Manager and one Head Start Coordinator will be based at Keilor Downs College.  The Cluster Director is based at Victoria University Secondary College, Brimbank campus. The Learning Leader and two other Head Start Coordinators will be based at other schools located across Brimbank and Melton. The Coordinators and Learning Leader are expected to be highly mobile, building relationships with employers, training providers and other agencies, visiting students and their families at school and at their workplaces, and collaborating with their colleagues. The Administration Manager will have a key role in supporting the effective functioning of the team.

Selection Criteria 

1. Demonstrated behaviours and attitudes consistent with the Victorian Public Service Values.
2. High level administration and organisational skills and ability to seek out, develop and work within and promote applicable guidelines.
3. Ability to work with limited direction.
4. Ability to identify need for, design and develop systems, tools and processes to support the effective operation of the cluster.
5. Capacity to build effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, including finding constructive ways to address conflicts or differing priorities.
6. Ability to use, increase own skill in and train others in the use of Microsoft office products and other technology as needed.
7. A commitment to professional learning and growth

Role

Attendance is not required during school vacation periods.

Role Purpose

This position will be located at Keilor Downs College. Staughton College will be the employer of the Head Start Administration Manager as part of the distribution of responsibilities for staffing across the Head Start cluster.

The Administration Manager will take a lead in the organisation of the Head Start Cluster, developing and maintaining the systems, processes and reporting to support the smooth operation of Head Start in Brimbank Melton. The Administration Manager will report to the Cluster Director. This is a great opportunity to be part of a motivated and skilled team establishing new pathways for Brimbank Melton students. 

The Head Start Administration Office will be located at Keilor Downs College and the Administration Manager will be required to travel to schools in Brimbank and Melton to provide secretariat support for Cluster Board meetings and attend team meetings and other meetings as required.

The administration manager will take a lead in the organisation of the Head Start Cluster including:

• Developing, managing and maintaining systems to keep track of Head Start plans, student details, employers and training provision.
• Liaising with coordinators, schools, employers and training providers as needed.
• Financial administration and management.
• Reporting.
• Building continuous improvement into cluster practices. 

Responsibilities

Key Accountabilities

1. Develop systems and processes to:
   • manage, store and analyse data and information.
   • manage finance and budgetary processes.
   • support team administration.
2. Seek out, work within and promote applicable guidelines, and develop guidelines where needed.
3. Build and support the Cluster Director to build effective working relationships with colleagues, schools, employers and training providers.
4. Develop, maintain and improve reporting processes.
5. Arrange and provide secretariat support for Cluster Board and team meetings.
6. Manage enquiries about Head Start.

Who may apply

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

Other Information

• Have a drivers licence and capacity to access private transport. The Administration Manager will be required to travel to schools in Brimbank and Melton to attend Cluster Board meetings, team meetings and other meetings as required. Staff will be reimbursed for travel in private vehicles.
• Have or be able to obtain a Working With Children’s check (http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/)

EEO AND OHS Commitment

The Department values diversity and is committed to workforce diversity and equal opportunity in schools and all education workplaces. 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.

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.

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 here.