Koonung Secondary College is looking for an exceptional education support officer to join our outstanding team. We are located in Mont Albert North in the City of Whitehorse. The College has a current enrolment of approximately 1,220 students. The balance between academic rigour and wide-ranging extracurricular activities is often quoted as a major attraction by prospective parents and students. In particular, our NAPLAN and VCE results are exemplary and our students perform consistently above all state measures. This coexists with a strong focus on student wellbeing and the development of the whole person.
Koonung Secondary Colleges vision is to create an innovative, challenging and engaging learning environment in which students are empowered to excel academically, socially and emotionally.
Koonung Secondary Colleges mission is to equip every student with the skills, knowledge, and resilience to be successful learners today, and develop as successful citizens into the future.
We are committed to developing and delivering an engaging and challenging curriculum that nurtures individuals¿ passions, talents and interests, supporting our learners in transforming these into fulfilling pathways and careers.
As a 21st Century learning community, we recognise the imperative of developing the global competencies essential for individuals to be successful citizens in the future. These competencies include digital literacy, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, social skills, innovation, problem solving and leadership. Our College is dedicated to providing our students with the best possible set of skills, capabilities and knowledge to equip them to build a harmonious, prosperous and sustainable future.
The concept of teams, and the ability to work as part of a team in delivering improved student outcomes, is an integral part of the Koonung Secondary College culture.
Further information about the College can be found on our website.
- Demonstrated ability to provide counselling for young people and their families and liaise with support services in the local community
- Well developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop and maintain networks that enhance the provision of effective services for students
- Capacity to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team and actively contribute to the Wellbeing team
- Demonstrated knowledge of, and best practice in, individual and group interventions for young people with support needs, including counselling, mediation, problem solving and conflict resolution
- Demonstrated commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others.
Range 3 is distinguished by the introduction of management responsibility and accountability for the delivery of professional support services. The role will usually impact beyond the work area or professional field. It seeks to gain cooperation of other staff members or members of the school community to achieve specific objectives, such as in school administration, operations or educational programs.
Direction on targets and goals is provided but the position will have some degree of latitude in determining how they are achieved. This latitude will generally be limited by standard procedures and school policy. Deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.
The provision of business management responsibilities becomes a feature at range 3. Management of staff to achieve the expected outcomes is a key responsibility. Staff management issues will be resolved with minimal reference to senior management, although guidance will be required in more complex cases. Senior management will be provided with timely reports and advice, although this will generally be confined to matters relating to the immediate work area, service provision or educational program and is unlikely to impact substantially on whole of school operations.
This is the minimum range for positions that carry a mandatory qualification requirement of not less than four years. Professional student support positions become a feature at range 3 (e.g. therapists, psychologists) where standard professional services are delivered. Professional support and guidance will be close at hand and deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.
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.
The College Wellbeing team consists of two Counsellors, Mental Health Practitioner, Social and Emotional Learning Leader, School Wellbeing Officer and the Assistant Principal with oversight of Wellbeing. Each member of this team also works with the heads of sub school and year level coordinators.
The Counsellor assists students, staff and their families with personal issues to improve their general and mental wellbeing. The Counsellor is a key member of the Wellbeing team, which is also responsible for the delivery of support in the areas of careers/pathways, disability, international students and health care.
The Counsellor must have an interest in, and knowledge of, adolescent mental health issues and adolescent development. Experience working in a school environment, as well as the knowledge to be able to work within Department of Education (DE) guidelines, is desirable.
The Counsellor is required to keep accurate documentation of all contact with, and regarding, any student or staff member they are dealing with in a timely manner, using DE and other reporting systems as appropriate.
An appropriate degree and/or postgraduate qualification with strong counselling skills is mandatory for this position.
Typical duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Provide counselling, support and advocacy to individuals and groups of students, and their parents, to support prevention and early intervention
- Advocate on behalf of students and their families and refer students to outside agencies as appropriate
- Liaise with Heads of Sub-School and SSS staff to support student wellbeing
- Provide advice on specific support services and their impact on students, school curriculum and services
- Work with staff, participate in and implement programs that benefit and support students and their educational needs
- Provide professional student support services: for example, targeted group support and counselling services
- Manage the liaison between students, parents and staff and Student Services personnel
- Provide appropriate information to staff on student wellbeing issues and provide professional learning for staff if required
- As a member of the Wellbeing Team, assist families in financial need with uniform requirements, books and government and private welfare assistance
- Demonstrate experience and/or understanding of restorative practices and respectful relationships approaches in a school context
- Liaise with DHHS and other agencies as required to support students in need of wellbeing support
- Assist in the development and implementation of College policies on student wellbeing issues
- Attend and contribute to level assemblies/meetings as requested by senior management
- Run lunchtime and after school clubs relating to student wellbeing
- Ensure records are appropriately maintained and meet all required guidelines
- Manage the use of and access to school resources and reference materials relating to the role
- Attend camps as required.
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, 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 safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via
[email protected]
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.
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://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy
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 at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview
Please ensure that your application includes:
- a resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, address and contact numbers, business and home)
- a section addressing the selection criteria and the requirements for application under the Who May Apply section
- names and contact numbers (mobile phone and email) of three referees
Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name. Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action.
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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
