Finance Officer

Location Profile: Western English Language School

Western English Language School (WELS) has established an excellent reputation for its provision of settlement and education needs for newly arrived primary and secondary students from language backgrounds other than English in the South West Region of Victoria.

WELS is a region-wide provider of intensive English as an Additional Language for newly arrived students. The school¿s pedagogical model is underpinned by a functional grammar approach to language, backward design and the Teaching and Learning Cycle. WELS's teaching staff undertake professional learning on understanding and applying all elements of this pedagogical approach.

Students are taught in classes of approximately 13 students to ensure that their English language, social learning and health & wellbeing needs are intensively supported. A school-wide student wellbeing strategy ensures that students and their families are welcomed and supported as newly arrived members of their new community. The school¿s excellent networks of support ensure that the health needs, community links and further educational pathways of all students are closely addressed. The school has six campuses: Braybrook (F-10), Footscray (F-6), Manor Lakes (F-6), St Albans (F-6), Melton (F-6), and Wyndham (7-10).

The whole-school commitments to build teacher capacity and improve student learning outcomes  are reflected in the goals of WELS's new Strategic Plan 2023 - 2026:

• Goal 1: Maximise learning growth for all students.
• Goal 2: Enhance the wellbeing of all students.

The WELS vision is to empower students to develop the practical and academic language skills needed in mainstream settings, within a safe and supportive environment. WELS vision is underpinned by respect, responsibility and caring as well as community connections

 SUMMARY OF OTHER RELEVANT CRITERIA

• This position is located at Tottenham Campus; however, a willingness to travel and work at any campus is a condition of the position.
• Flexibility with time fraction can be negotiated.
• The administration campus of Western English Language School is at 46 South Road Braybrook 3019.
• The Victorian Department of Education and Training is an EEO employer.
• The successful applicant is subject to a satisfactory police records check and may have to undergo a medical check prior to commencement in the position.
• CASES21 Finance experience preferred.

Selection Criteria:

SC1 Demonstrated high level written and oral communication skills and high level interpersonal skills with an ability to relate effectively and sensitively with teaching and support staff, as well as students, parents, external providers and the wider school community.

SC2 Demonstrated ability to take direction as well as to work independently and flexibly to ensure the continuous and efficient operation of the work environment and to work proactively as an integral member of a high functioning team to enhance work systems, practices and relationships.

SC3 Demonstrated thorough knowledge of financial practices and knowledge of Department of Education software ( CASES21 Finance).

SC4 Demonstrated ability to coordinate a range of tasks within the finance area that contribute significantly to the operational functions within the school and the ability to manage and support other staff to ensure finance objectives are met.

SC5  Highly developed organisational and administrative skills with a demonstrated ability to utilise effective time management strategies, establish priorities and   to meet deadlines.

Attendance requirement for this position can be negotiated with Business Manager.

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.

Finance:

• Maintain the schools financial records.
• Prepare financial documentation and data for budget preparation.
• Ensure all relevant financial reports are checked and any discrepancy is investigated and reported to senior management.
• Attend sub-committees, when required, and prepare financial reports.
• Provide advice to program coordinators and teaching staff on spending against the budget.
• Accounts receivable  
• Accounts payable  
• Proficiently use all aspects of CASES21 accounts payable. including maintaining creditors, entering approved orders, paying accounts in a timely manner with a working knowledge of sundry debtor and family accounts functions 
• Follow up outstanding orders, invoices and creditor enquires 
• Maintain the assets data and register accurately, including removing disposals. 
• Provide support to the Business manager in preparation of financial reports or processes. 
• Collect and enter monies received from students and parents and ensure the data entered is accurate and reconciled at the end of each day 
• Respond to enquiries from parents/guardians regarding fees, charges and amounts owing promptly   
• Monitor all financial documentation and ensure accurate records, supporting documentation and audit trails are kept and these comply with relevant policies, procedures and guidelines.   
• Ensure compliance with all financial archiving requirements by ensuring that appropriate record retention and destruction as required by DET    
• Reconcile month end, process and save all end of Month reports.    

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 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).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via *******@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

• 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

• 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