Honesty Trust Respect Concern Love

• Casual
• Based at Lower Plenty
• $47.6160 - $51.0612 per annum, plus super
• Generous salary packaging options

About Odyssey Victoria

Odyssey Victoria (OV) is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families, and communities to reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, improve mental health, and reconnect people to their family and the community. OV is a dynamic and fast-growing organisation committed to excellence in service provision and innovation in responding to alcohol and other drugs use problems.

Role Purpose

The Childhood Educator will be based within our Children Centre at our Therapeutic Community. You will provide care and education to meet the needs of individual children. The key purpose of the position is to implement and enhance the delivery of the children’s programs and to inform the development of policies and initiatives as required, creating a secure, and nurturing environment for children, and promoting and maximising opportunities for the children to develop to their full potential.

Key areas of focus

• Program and Education Services
• Children’s Centre
• Family Support
• Quality

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Provide a program of education and care based on strengths, dispositions, skills, and interests of the children which will evolve from observations, feedback from parents, the inclusion of the broader Therapeutic community.
• Support families in developing an understanding about the importance of play and leisure-based learning, and the significance of the early years in the educational continuum for children.
• Alongside Lead Childhood Educator, Childhood Family Facilitator and Childhood Educators, incorporate tasks of assisting children in their daily activities and routines (e.g., meals, sleeping, cleaning up) within Childhood Education activities.
• Communicate with families offering support, guidance and encouraging participation in the program.
• Deliver therapeutic structured programs that are responsive to the changing needs of the children and enhance the individual developmental outcomes of each child.
• Ensure child safety standards are met, which include being able to identify and respond possible attachment issues and trauma signs within children.
• Liaise with team members in coordinating the daily activities of the Children’s Centre Resident Volunteers.
• Collaborate with resident parents utilizing Strengths based approaches by role modelling positive techniques for supporting and working through children’s behaviors.
• Ensure a safe physical environment is available for children to promote their health, safety, and wellbeing (Quality Areas 2 & 3).
• Guide and develop families to achieve quality outcomes for children based on active communication, consultation, and collaboration (Quality Area 6).

For a copy of the position description which outlines the full list of responsibilities, please click HERE.

Who are WE looking for?

To be successful in this role, you must hold the below qualifications/experience…

1. A Diploma in Early Childhood Education or Children’s Services as recognized by ACECQA (or equivalent) plus a minimum of the AOD Skill Set for Health Professionals* (or commitment to obtain within 12 months of employment).
2. Knowledge of and experience in implementing Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and National Quality Standards (NQS)
3. Understanding of the developmental stages of children aged 0-5 years (6-11 years highly desirable).
4. Experience working with children who have additional needs and challenging behaviours.
5. Sound knowledge and understanding of approved learning frameworks in order to stimulate, engage and enhance children’s learning and development.
6. Demonstrated understanding and acceptance of different social and cultural values and attitudes to raising children.
7. Ability to maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and discretion at all times.
8. Ability to effectively liaise and communicate with a wide variety of people in a non-judgemental manner.
9. Ability to meet deadlines, balance competing demands, prioritise work and respond effectively to change.
10. Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and a willingness to give and receive feedback and recognise and resolve interpersonal conflict.

For a copy of the position description which outlines the full key selection criteria, please click HERE.

*Appendix A (AOD Competencies)

OV requires staff in clinical positions to have the following competencies (or their equivalent). Where people do not already have these competencies, OV will invest in the staff’s professional development by providing them through our registered training organisation (RTO).
The competencies required in the first 12 months of employment are:

• CHCAOD001 – Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
• CHCAOD004 – Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
• CHCAOD006 – Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues
• CHCAOD009 – Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans

What we can give YOU!

In return we are committed to offering you an inclusive and transparent workplace culture where our people can develop to be their very best by:

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities.
• Providing work that is meaningful and challenging, with career development opportunities through secondment opportunities.
• Access to 24/7 counselling through our Employee Assistance Provider (EAP)

In addition to the above, staff will also be provided monthly group Clinical Supervision sessions for professional development and personal wellbeing.

Application information

Please apply directly via our careers website by clicking the "Apply Now" button (applications via external recruitment websites or via email will not be considered)

Applications should be addressed to Becca Gratch and include your CV and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria.

If you have any questions relating to the position, please contact Becca Gratch – Team Leader – Family Services on [email protected] using the subject line: Childhood Educators x2 enquiry via EthicalJobs or 0479 182 943.

We will be assessing applications on a rolling basis and suitable candidates will be shortlisted immediately. This role will close once a suitable candidate has been selected, so please don’t wait to apply!

Our commitment to diversity

At OV we value diversity and believe that a range of backgrounds brings a variety of ideas, perspectives and experiences that will enhance our effectiveness. We promote a workplace that actively seeks to include, welcome and value unique contributions by encouraging people with disability, Aboriginal Australians, LGBTQIA, young people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply for this position.

Safety screening

OV is committed to child safety and is a child safe organisation. All OV employees must undergo Police Records and Working with Children Checks. Any person issued with a negative notice on their Working with Children Check will not be eligible for employment with us.

Mandatory COVID vaccinations

In line with OV's Mandatory Vaccination Policy, all Odyssey Victoria staff are required to hold Fully Vaccinated (Boosted) status, having also received the Booster Vaccination. Evidence of this minimum of three (3) COVID-19 vaccinations will be requested during the onboarding process and offers will be rescinded where such evidence cannot be provided.

All Odyssey Victoria sites are smoke free for all employees