Education Assistant - Special Needs

Advertised Vacancy Number: IPS/SS881837

Various Positions

Riverside Primary School (PS) is seeking two (2) enthusiastic Education Assistant - Special Needs to join their friendly team.

We currently have the following positions available:

• 2x - permanent full-time positions

All positions will commence Term 2, 2024

Riverside PS is a Level 5 Independent Public school with approximately 465 students enrolled in Kindergarten to Year 6. Riverside draws from a wide boundary catchment area and shares a site with an Education Support Centre.

The successful applicants will, under teacher direction, assist in the implementation of specialised education programs such as occupational therapy, speech therapy and physiotherapy programs. They will also assist the teacher in the delivery of planned education programs, including the operation of computers and digital technologies, and implement individual student or small group programs or demonstrations. When required, they will provide feedback on education and therapy programs and participate in the evaluation process relating to the achievement of goals in special education. Zones of Regulation and Team Teach training will be highly regarded as well as the use of visual timetables and Boardmaker. Successful applicants would also ideally be familiar with the implementation of student individual education and behaviour management plans. These plans are designed to specific student needs for educational and behaviour development by the classroom teacher.

In this role, you will assist the teacher or therapist to understand when there is communication difficulty between them and a student and, under teacher direction, provide feedback to caregivers/parents as to the student’s progress.

Successful applicants will ideally be able to work flexibly with several students across the school week, have excellent communication skills and work collaboratively or independently as required, to improve outcomes for our students. They will perform tasks that require discretion and judgement in achieving clearly defined outcomes determined by the teacher. The successful applicants should be able to apply techniques, skills and knowledge of relevant practices acquired through previous experience, on the job learning and have the relevant qualifications.  A Certificate IV in Education Support is highly regarded.

This selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy. Applicants assessed as suitable during this selection process may be considered for other similar vacancies that occur throughout our school for up to 12 months following this initial appointment. This includes circumstances where this position becomes subsequently vacant should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised position. 

To be suitable for this role, you will need to demonstrate the following work related requirements (selection criteria):

• Good written and oral communication skills, including the ability to interact with students with Special Needs, parents and teaching professionals on the provision of educational programs, and to assist teachers in understanding students where necessary.
• Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to work as part of a team in the evaluation of educational programs, including special education and therapy programs where these have been implemented.
• Good organisational skills that will assist in the delivery and development of effective education programs to students and subsequent feedback to teaching professionals or psychologists.
• The ability to assist teachers or therapists in implementing educational programs, including special education and, should this be a requirement of the position, occupational and/or physiotherapy programs.
• Knowledge of health and physical disabilities in students and adolescents.
• The ability to assist with general health and well-being of students.

Applications will be assessed against these work related requirements (selection criteria) of the position. The business needs of the school may also be considered. It is therefore recommended that you consider all information contained in the advertisement and any other related information before applying for the vacancy.

The Department is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and persons from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply.

Additional information about Independent Public Schools is also available here.

For further job related information:

Application Instructions

All applications are submitted online. Select “Apply for Job”, at either the top or bottom of this screen and follow the instructions on your screen.

Your application should include: 

• A three (3) page statement addressing the Work Related Requirements (selection criteria), in context of the role and business needs of the school
• A CV of up to three (3) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position
• The contact details for two (2) work related referees who can attest to the claims made in your written application, preferably one being your current line manager.

It is recommended you have these documents completed and ready to attach before selecting “Apply for Job”.

You are asked to complete an online application form and attach your documentation, please allow enough time to complete this process as applications cannot be accepted after the closing date and time.

After you have submitted your application online, you will receive an email confirming lodgement. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please telephone (08) 9264 4***.

If you are having difficulty submitting your online application, please telephone (08) 9264 86***for assistance.

Eligibility and training requirements

Employees will be required to:

• provide evidence of eligibility to work in Australia for the term of the vacancy;
• consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education’s Screening Unit prior to commencement of employment;
• obtain or hold a current Working with Children Check;
• complete the Department’s induction program within three months of commencement;
• complete the Department’s training in Accountable and Ethical Decision-Making within six months of appointment and every three years thereafter;
• complete the Department’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness online course within 3 months of commencement;
• complete any training specific to this role required by Departmental policy.

Education Assistants working with Kindergarten students may be required to have, or be actively working towards, a Certificate lll in Education Support (or approved equivalent) in order to meet the educator-to-student ratio outlined in the National Quality Standard for Early Childhood Education and Care.

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.

Applications must be submitted before 4.30pm (WST) on Monday, 11 March 2024

APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE

PROFORMA, FAXED, HAND DELIVERED, POSTED, EMAILED AND LATE APPLICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.