Facilities Manager

Yarrabing Secondary College and Dharra School are seeking an experienced and motivated Facilities Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of two neighbouring Victorian Government schools, both of which are brand new and opened in 2024. 

Working with the Executive teams of the two schools, the Facilities Manager will be split in employment time across the two schools. 

Would you like to be an Education Support Staff member of a new Victorian Government Secondary School & Specialist School which opened in 2024?

Would you like the opportunity to 

• Shape a brand-new school's culture
• Work in state-of-the-art facilities and resources
• Work in a collaborative and innovative environment
• Forge meaningful partnerships with parents, local businesses, and community organizations, creating a strong network of support for students and their education.
• Develop your leadership skills
• Play a vital role in the establishment and growth of a brand-new Secondary & Specialist school 

If you are, then the new Yarrabing Secondary College & Dharra School is looking for Education Support Staff to join the school. 

About Us - Yarrabing Secondary College 

Yarrabing Secondary College (formerly known as Aintree Secondary School (interim name)) will open day one of Term 1 in 2024 and provide the growing local population with great educational opportunities close to home. It will be able to enrol up to 550 students when the first stage of the school is complete. In its first year of operation, Yarrabing Secondary College will open to Year 7 students only, and progressively grow by one year level thereafter.

Yarrabing Secondary College is located approximately 30 kilometres west of Melbourne in the suburb of Aintree. When fully established, the school will have 1200 students enrolled from Year 7 to 12 and 130 school staff members. 

Our school grounds are close to planned parklands, sporting facilities, and we are surrounded by a supportive community. Most students that will attend our school live locally and would tend to walk or ride their bike to school. 

Our school will be culturally diverse with 60% of students having a language background other than English (LOTE) spoken in the family home, with the largest LOTE languages being Hindi and Punjabi. We are proud of our diversity and our inclusive school community. 

We strive to provide a nurturing and challenging environment that empowers students to reach their personal best, both academically and socially.

Our Vision

Our vision is to empower our students by developing well rounded, confident, and responsible individuals who have high expectations of themselves, and who aspire to achieve success through respect, responsibility, and collaboration.

Our Mission

Our mission is to be a safe, supportive environment that emphasizes motivation and self-discipline. Using 21st century approaches, we provide students with the means to achieve their potential and we challenge our students to grow academically, socially, culturally, and emotionally. Collaboration and positive relationships will underpin all our work.

Additional information can be found at:

https://www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/Yarrabing-Secondary-College

The successful applicant will play an instrumental role in the development and implementation of contemporary school processes to support the learning and wellbeing of all students across the school. This position is a fantastic opportunity for the right individual to help our school be the absolute best school it can be for students, staff and the wider school community as our school continues to grow and thrive over the years ahead.

As a Foundation Education Support Staff member  you will contribute to the collaborative planning, implementation and evaluation of school processes and contribute to the school culture as a results-oriented collaborative professional learning community. 

Foundation Education Support Staff will work collaboratively with colleagues and leadership to improve students' educational outcomes and to ensure that the school remains on a path of continuous improvement through the application of evidenced-based research.

About Us - Dharra School 

Dharra School is a new P-12 specialist school opening term 1 2024, in Aintree.

The school is being built to accommodate 148 students. The school has a focus on staff wellbeing and ensuring our staff have time away from class to focus on their administrative duties.  

Dharra School provides educational programs for students with disabilities at both primary and secondary levels in a positive, caring and safe environment. It is a dual mode setting, catering for students with mild through to severe intellectual disabilities and other associated disabilities like Autism. Students are transported to our school via bus or family transport. Our school environment is comprised of Junior and Senior learning neighbourhoods, administration building and library and a community hub. 

More information about the design and building progress of the school can be found here: 

https://www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/Dharra-School 

Teachers and Educational Support staff make extensive use of a wide variety of resources to ensure all students have an educational journey that is positive and successful. Our school's philosophy and programs are based upon the belief that children learn best in a structured environment that is safe, challenging and supportive with a school-wide focus on Positive Behaviour Support. 

Student Support Group meetings involving staff, parents, carers and our Allied Health team are held four times a year to formulate individual learning goals based on each student's ability, strengths and needs and celebrate achievements towards these goals.

SC1 Demonstrated organisational skills to plan, assess, prioritise, and schedule all facilities and grounds conditional and routine maintenance work.

SC2 Demonstrated ability and experience in carrying out maintenance/repairs, and gardening.

SC3 Demonstrated capacity to manage an OHS Compliance System, procurement and budgets as appropriate to the school's facilities (including buildings, grounds, equipment and furniture) requirements.

SC4 Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills in individual and group contexts.

SC5 Ability to work collaboratively and constructively with internal and external stakeholders.

SC6 Demonstrated ability to effectively navigate unexpected challenges, demonstrating flexibility and resilience in meeting the evolving needs and circumstances of the school environment. Demonstrated capacity to contribute to the culture of a school.  

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 employees position or involves supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

About the Role

• This is a unique opportunity for you to work in the initial development of school processes for a foundation secondary school, growing one year level each year from Year 7 in 2024 to Year 12 in 2029. 
• Given the school is in the first year of establishment, the teaching, learning and student support practices are based on the latest evidence-based research. The brand-new facilities support 21st century skills and these teaching and learning practices. 
• You will be supported by education support staff, teachers, and leaders in a highly collaborative workplace, with opportunities for professional development and career advancement
• The school has a highly supportive leadership team with a culture of collaboration and innovation. 
• As a member of the Foundation Staff, you will have input and play a vital role in the implementation of school processes within your area as well as the physical set up of the learning environment.

About You

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled education support staff to contribute to the success of a high achieving secondary school. As a school we believe that by providing students with a greater level of wellbeing support they are most likely to experience improved academic outcomes. The ideal candidate should possess a range of characteristics that will contribute to the success of our students and uphold the school's commitment to excellence in education. Education Support Staff will be responsible for delivering support for the school staff and student learning environment. 

Role

School Holiday attendance requirements for this position can be negotiated however will be required at times up to a maximum of 30 days per year. A leave purchase allowance will be paid for school holiday attendance. 

The Facilities Manager fulfils an important role in the presentation and upkeep of school grounds and the provision of OH&S tasks as outlined in Department Policy. It is expected that they will provide a high level of attention to detail ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for students, staff and visitors to the College and be competent in the provision of up to date and relevant information.

Accurate data recording is important as it reflects in the provision of information and reports to Families, Staff, School Council and the Community.  A professional image is the impact Yarrabing Secondary College and the Dharra School is aiming to achieve at all times. It is important the Facilities Manageroperates in a consistent, professional, courteous, efficient manner at all times.

The Facilities Managersupports the Yarrabing Secondary College and the Dharra School's Facilities Committees with the upkeep and maintenance of school grounds and assists the OH&S committee with the management and implementation of DET policy.  
 

Grounds

• Maintaining all grass areas including mowing, trimming and edging.
• Trim trees or any unsafe limbs.
• Revegetating/replanting lawn areas.
• Controlling weeds including a spraying program.
• Maintaining all existing garden beds including edging, weeding, pruning, planting, mulching and watering
• Establishing new garden beds as directed and perform minor landscaping of the grounds
• Check external student seating and play equipment to ensure they are sound
• Clear drains, spouting, gutters and downpipes as required
• Pressure cleaning of building and paved areas as required
• Weekly inspections of grounds for defects, trip hazards and graffiti
• Maintain all equipment in a satisfactory, safe and workable condition.
• Clear grounds of litter and empty yard rubbish bins

Maintenance

• Perform minor repairs as directed by the Business Manager for example;

-         Minor electrical (light globe replacement)

-         Minor plastering and painting

-         Repair of furniture and equipment e.g. table tops, table legs, castors.

• Identify and report the need for repairs
• Monitors each school's internal online system used by each school to document maintenance issues and then consults with the relevant Business Manager in the

Facilities

• Supports the school leadership in overseeing the building of any new or redeveloped capital works
• Monitors and reports defects during the defect period following any new or redeveloped capital works

OH&S

• Implement appropriate OH&S and risk management procedures.
• Maintain and regularly review DET OH&S management requirements ensuring compliance
• Maintain the College's Plant, Electrical & Equipment registers
• Review the College's OH&S risk register and modify so that it is specific to the site
• Maintain safe work procedures and ensure the procedures are displayed appropriately
• Conduct termly workplace inspections, addressing any hazards identified
• Review the College's OH&S calendar and consult with the Business Manager on tasks requiring completion

Other Duties

• Assist with set up/pack up of functions eg: BBQs, sports days, information evenings and exams
• At all times working to create a professional environment, which upholds and displays each Schools' values.
• Additional attendance during term breaks may be required and will be negotiated in advance. A leave purchase allowance will be paid for the additional attendance
• Assist the Principal Class Officers where required
• Undertake other duties relevant to the field of responsibility as requested by the Business Manager or Principal of each school.

This position description describes in general terms the normal duties which the Facilities Manager is expected to undertake. However, the duties described may vary or be amended from time to time without changing the level of responsibility associated with the position.

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

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.

The Department of Education (the department) is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, 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 family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants can contact Brett West, Yamatji man, in the Koorie Outcomes Division to talk about the recruitment process, the department and supports for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in the department. Mobile: 0477 726 *** or email on: **********@education.vic.gov.au

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

• Education Support Class positions accrue 50 days (pro rata) of annual and additional paid leave per year which is taken during the school holidays as per the Victorian Government Schools Agreement (VGSA). When attendance by an employee is required during the school vacation period, a leave purchase allowance is paid. 
• A current Working with Children Check (WWCC) (employee) is required or the ability to obtain a WWCC

Applications must include:

• A cover letter providing contact information including home address, email, and phone number. 
• A CV with a summary of experience, qualifications and your Working With Children Check (WWCC) number. 
• Specific Key Selection Criteria response.
• The names, email addresses and contact details for three referees.

For ease of handling by the school, all documents (cover letter, CV, and key selection criteria responses) can be saved as one pdf and uploaded to Recruitment on Line. Please also ensure that your name is included in the header of each document.

All applicants should ensure that their personal profile on Recruitment Online is up to date.

• 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