AddressSpringfield Lakes State School is seeking to appoint a Defence School Mentor (DSM) who is passionate about the wellbeing of children and young adults as part of the Defence School Mentor Program (DSMP). This program, delivered in schools, is designed to provide practical assistance to Defence families and support the social and emotional wellbeing of Defence students within their schools. The role is funded by the Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS) Branch, of the Commonwealth Department of Defence. The DSM role provides specialised, on-site support to meet the needs of Defence students and their families within the school community. The DSM's role is embedded in Springfield Lakes State School Wellbeing team. Please see the below table for a description of the position. This position is being offered in a Temporary Part-Time capacity (0.28 FTE), 20 hours per fortnight.
About the Department:
The Department of Education are dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects the community and schools we support by treating everyone with respect and dignity. This starts with recruitment and selection. The methods of assessing suitability in the recruitment process may vary. This includes making reasonable adjustments to support applicants at all stages of the process and employee lifecycle.
About Our School:
At Springfield Lakes State School, all staff strive to create and maintain a strong school culture, which provides students with a safe, caring and supportive environment in which they can learn to be their best selves, both academically and socially.
About Role:
Primary Objectives and Key Responsibilities:
- Supporting the integration of new Defence students into the school environment.
- Supporting Defence students experiencing any social, emotional or academic challenges.
- Supporting Defence students experiencing the impacts of Defence-related parental absence and relocation.
- Directing students to school, Defence or external programs, services or opportunities that meet their support needs.
- Increasing the awareness and appreciation of the unique Defence lifestyle and associated challenges for students in schools and local communities.
- Supporting the transition of Defence families and students into and out of the school during posting (e.g. developing welcoming activities, integration activities to provide support during transition into a new school, absence support activities to provide support during periods of parental absence, and farewelling activities to prepare Defence families and students for relocating to a new school).
- Providing Defence students with age-appropriate, social and emotional support that enhances existing school supports.
- Providing Defence families with information about the school environment and available Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS) programs relevant to their student's development.
- Raising awareness and building capacity among school staff to respond to the social and emotional needs of students from Defence families (e.g. sharing information with school staff about the Defence lifestyle, impacts on Defence students, and supports available through the DSMP and DMFS).
- Possessing a strong understanding of the Defence lifestyle and developing strong relationships with Defence students at the school.
Please refer to the attached role description for any mandatory requirements for this position.
Interested? To Apply:
- Attach a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should have an understanding of your relevant work history)
- Attach a 1-page written statement in response to the attached role description.
We welcome all applicants to share any support needed to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive.
Applications remain current for 12 months from the closing date and may be considered for appointment to identical or similar vacancies within the Department.
Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.
When working in regulated employment an employee must have a current Working with Children Clearance (blue card) issued by Blue Card Services.
Salary rate shown is reflective of full-time (1.0 FTE).
The Department of Education is a family inclusive workplace. Click here to find out more about our Inclusion and Diversity strategies. ( https://alt-qed.qed.qld.gov.au/working-with-us/induction/department/human-resources/inclusion-and-diversity#:~:text=Pathways%20to%20Parity,participate%20fully%20in%20our%20workplaces. )
