Grounds Keeper / General Maintenance

Strathmore Secondary College is situated between Pascoe Vale Road and the Moonee Ponds Creek in the northern suburb of Strathmore. The school was founded in 1957 with 186 students. The population has grown considerably and now the school draws the majority of its population of over 1900 students from within the designated neighbourhood area bounded by Strathmore Heights, Pascoe Vale and Essendon.

Strathmore Secondary College employs a total of 203 teaching and non-teaching staff. In such a large school facilities and space are at a premium. The students are placed within one of five school teams vertically structured across Year 7 - 12 and are supported by core teachers in Faculty Areas. Junior school team leaders and coordinators work closely with Year 7 ¿ 10 students, teachers and parents to develop positive relationships to support student learning. VCE leaders and team coordinators, supported by a VCE Administration officer and Careers Coordinators, work with Year 11 and 12 students to achieve outstanding results so students reach their desired pathways.  Outcomes for Strathmore Secondary Students are positive with VCE results well above the state average in study scores and real retention rates at 75% compared to a state average of 50%.

Strathmore Secondary College provides a learning environment that is both inspiring and nurturing. While restricted in its long-term planning for school facilities, the physical structure of the school welcomes young people and provides a stimulating, respectful and innovative environment in which learning is valued. It also offers a very strong welfare and pastoral care environment lead by a number of specialist and welfare staff.

The strengths of the college are in its commitment to academic excellence, music, the visual and performing arts and sport. These programs provide diverse opportunities for students including school productions, music concerts, art and technology exhibitions, and sporting carnivals-allowing students to develop leadership and collaborative skills in a range of non-classroom settings. They are also important opportunities for the broader school community to gather and celebrate. In addition the school has a well-developed international student program.

The College has become a high performing school by implementing an instructional model based on research from McREL, Marzano Institute and Learning Horizons. This has led to improvements in student outcomes and enabled teachers to develop as classroom practitioners with clear expectations around pedagogy. This instructional model is supported by the work of instructional coaches and weekly professional learning community teams. The College has a long history of using technology and has recently moved to a 1:1 Bring Your Own iPad program. This provides students with access to digital technology in every class to engage students and develop them as global citizens.

The school provides leadership in the teaching of science, technology and mathematics in Victoria in conjunction with the Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC), which was established on the school site in 2006. VSSEC is a unique resource that is one of six specialist Science centres in the state. VSSEC is integrated with College programs and provides quality teacher professional development to ensure that teachers are exposed to the latest developments and innovations in science and technology.

At a wider community level, Strathmore Secondary College works cooperatively with other schools and educational providers within the Moonee Valley district to ensure that the educational needs of all students are met by the provision of a range of educational pathways.

OTHER INFORMATION

 Please ensure your application includes:

• a resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, address, and contact numbers, business and home).
• A section addressing the selection criteria and the requirements for application under Who May Apply section.
• Names and contact numbers (telephone and email) of two referees
• Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name.  Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action.

SC1  Demonstrated capacity to perform duties consistent with established guidelines and frameworks, including coordinating and supporting others in respect to specific work functions relevant to the role.

SC2  Demonstrated capacity to work and collaborate with others in a team environment.

SC3  Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively in a team environment, including high level oral and written communication skills.

SC4  Possess the technical knowledge and expertise relevant to the position.

SC5  Demonstrated capacity to provide advice and support to management and other school staff in respect to the work area.

SC6  A commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others.

This position requires attendance of 30 days during school vacation periods. You will be paid a leave purchase allowance for that attendance.

An education support class position at this range will perform tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice, and school policy under supervision and direction. This may include coordination of other education support class staff within the work area or educational program.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students but must not include duties of a teacher as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students can be required individually or in groups up to 4 in controlled circumstances and where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

A role at this range may include:

• Specific support tasks to achieve outcomes. Typically, this will involve accountability for a single function, (e.g. ensuring data is properly maintained) or the co-ordination of a work area under the direction of the principal or a manager.

An education support class position at this range commencing at the base will initially be limited to undertaking routine tasks that are carried out under close supervision and direction. Work that carries some degree of independence will generally involve a limited number of tasks performed on a regular basis where priorities are clear, procedures are well established, and direction is readily available. Subject to any specific qualification and/or training requirement, an education support class employee employed in this range may be progressively required to undertake coordination, specialised student/teacher support tasks, or technical tasks as experience in the role is gained.

The responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to:

• Ensure that the school grounds and buildings are well maintained and presented and that all work undertaken complies with statutory obligations and Department Standards
• Maintain a healthy and safe working environment by having knowledge of OH&S Regulations
• Work cooperatively with a range of people including teachers, education support, students, parents and contractors
• Undertake other duties relevant to the field of responsibility as requested by the leadership team
• To provide general grounds maintenance and landscaping. This typically includes: mowing of lawns, general gardening/landscaping, cleaning drains and pits, sweeping paved areas and removing litter
• To provide maintenance and undertake repairs of a general nature. These include: simple general plumbing (e.g. cleaning of stormwater drains, electrical work (e.g. replacing light globes), general carpentry, painting, cleaning and repairs 
• Ensure discretion and confidentiality are maintained at all times
• Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
• Other duties as required by Principal & Facilities Manager, in line with role classification

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

Please ensure that your application includes:

• A resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, address and contact numbers, business and home)
• A section addressing the selection criteria and the requirements for application under the Who May Apply section
• Names and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of two referees who are able to attest to the claims made in your application.

Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name. Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action.

• 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