Educator / Teacher Project Educate

We encourage applications from First Nations people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disabilities, neuro-diverse people, and people of all genders, sexualities, and age groups

• Are you looking for a new purpose led role where you can use your skills as a youth educator to change the lives of young people?
• Are you ready for a new challenge working within Project Youths Employment Education and Training team? 
• Are you passionate about building a better future for young people through education? 

In line with Project Youth’s strategy, the role will ensure all young people can thrive despite the disadvantages they may face. In line with Project Youth’s trauma informed Framework and our values of partnership, respect, innovation, integrity and quality, the role will provide support to young people   to complete their ROSA which can lead to increased opportunities for the future and reduced levels of disadvantage.

Project Youth, established over 30 years ago, is a non-Government, not for profit organisation based in South Eastern Sydney, providing support and assistance to young people who are homeless or facing disadvantage. 

Project Youth's vision is to create a future where all young people can thrive regardless of the disadvantage they face. To do this Project Youth provides trauma-informed support for young people aged 12-24 who have complex needs, are at risk, come from disadvantaged backgrounds and may not be able to fulfil their potential without additional support. 

Our work is in three main areas: 

1. Homelessness and Housing: Accommodating young people in crisis and supporting transition into independent living or returning to their family home 
2. Early Intervention: Intervening early to reduce and stop escalation of issues 
3. Education, Employment and Training: Providing pathways to employment and education 

The Role:

Project Educate is an alternative education school for secondary students in years 9 and 10 who are missing from the education system or are at risk of not gaining their RoSA (year 10). It is operated by the charity Project Youth.

Project Educate is open four days a week (Monday to Thursday) providing up to 12 students the ability to reengage with education in a trauma informed, small and supported setting. The students access the Stage 5 mainstream curriculum, for all subjects in the eight key learning areas of the syllabus, through the NSW Department of Education Sydney Distance Education High School eLearning. 

All students enrolled in Project Educate are engaged through flexible learning, hands-on practical skills, trauma informed support, mentoring and assisted with transition into further education, employment and training.

Project Educate provides a wraparound service based within Project Youth. Project Youth is a charity that has been serving young people in South Eastern Sydney for over 30 years, providing support for young people facing complex needs and significant disadvantage.

All students enrolled in Project Educate have a diagnosis, a confirmed disability such as autism or a mental health condition which impairs on their engagement in learning and prevents them from attending mainstream school on a regular basis.

This Role is based on 30 hours per week on a 12 month fixed Term Contract.

The Person:

The Educator role runs the education part of the program; initial intake and assessment of students; educating all students through 1:1 and group classroom style learning; overseeing the curriculum for all students; actively engaging the students in learning using creative teaching strategies; organising excursions, formal and graduations with the students; managing a budget; and liaising with Department of Education, parents and sector partners to coordinate the young person’s ability to achieve in education. The role will be responsible for ensuring all students are able to achieve their year 9 and year 10 qualifications. 

A youth worker is also part of the program to support the students to remove barriers to attendance (through practical and emotional needs including housing, criminal justice, mental health, liaising with carers and community connections). The youth worker coordinates all support work to ensure the students are able to remain in the program. 

The Youth Worker and Educator work closely together to manage the daily environment and ensure all students are able to thrive in education..

Essential Experience & Qualifications:

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in teaching, training/assessment, leading groups or another similar setting with a similar cohort of young people
• Qualification in a relevant field
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working with young people who face disadvantages
• Eligible to work in Australia

Essential criteria:

• Able to engage young people creatively and flexibly in learning and education 
• Experience devising and implementing positive behaviour strategies in an education or group setting
• Able to liaise with Government Departments (Department of Education and Department of Communities and Justice)
• Good communication skills both written and oral
• Experience of using email, WORD and Excel programs
• An extensive understanding of the issues that impact young people facing disadvantage including homelessness, mental health, drug and alcohol dependency and domestic violence
• A thorough understanding of trauma and how it impacts students and their learning
• Able to provide trauma informed support in an education setting
• Knowledge and understating of mandatory reporting, child safe practices and child protection
• Solution focused approach
• Honest, trustworthy and good work ethic
• Be able to work under pressure and to meet deadlines 
• Commitment to the principles of equity of access, cultural diversity and accountability
• Forward thinking and able to use initiative
• Able to demonstrate a strong commitment to Project Youths vision and purpose
• Experience working with students with low literacy or numeracy skills, challenging behaviours and students affected by trauma

 All Project Youth employees are required to undergo a National Criminal Record Check and a Working with Children Check by the relevant State and Territory Government(s) as a condition of employment.

To Apply:

Please provide your resume and a cover letter (maximum of a 2-page cover letter). The cover letter must address all essential criteria listed in ‘The Person’ section in the advert above. Please send your resume and cover letter to  ****@projectyouth.org.au

Applications that do not address the criteria will not be considered.  Previous applicants need not apply. 

For further information please see position description on www.projectyouth.org.au/join-our-team

Contact Ruby on 0417049*** or ****@projectyouth.org.au for more information or if you have any questions about the position. 

 Closing date for applications: 5pm Sunday 17th March 2024. 

Please note, unsuccessful candidates will not be contacted. Previous applicants need not apply.