Occupational Therapist

Eastern Ranges School is an F-12 specialist school for students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability located in the Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne.

The school has an enrolment of approximately 200 students. There are approximately 100 staff at the school comprising of teachers, educational support staff and a multi-disciplinary therapy team. The staff reflect a diverse, capable and committed team who strive to support the needs of our students and are the foundation of our engaging and positive community.  

Facilities include age appropriate classrooms and playgrounds, therapy rooms, library, a gymnasium, sports court and pool.  We also have the Depot (to develop and build work ethics and employability skills), a primary school kitchen and industry standard kitchen, Eastern Ranges Coffee Beans Café run by our barista trained students, a contemporary living centre that develops functional living skills, and a professional learning centre which supports our commitment to lifelong learning for our school and wider community.

Our school is a safe, nurturing place where students can thrive within a community bound by our values of teamwork, respect, inclusion, responsibility, achievement and optimism and driven by our shared commitment to create safe, respectful and responsible learners. These School Wide Positive Behaviour Support values underpin all aspects of school life and are evident in our interactions and practices.

Individualised programs of learning in line with the Victorian Curriculum are carefully planned and delivered to our F-9 students, with the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) available at years 10, 11 and 12.    

Structured teaching is used to provide routine and predictability and to assist our students to make sense of the expectations placed upon them. We set high expectations for all, and review evidenced based practices ensuring our students receive the very best educational opportunities. Specialist teaching programs are in the curriculum areas of Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Health and Physical Education, Swimming and Music.

Teachers work in collaboration with education support staff to deliver personalised programs that meet student¿s needs. Access to learning is supported through strategies developed in collaboration with parents through a multi-disciplinary approach.  The team includes Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Music Therapists and a Psychologist.

 The School is further supported by a committed and informed School Council and governing body. Collectively we work together to reach aspirational goals that define Eastern Ranges as a centre for exemplar ASD practice within the community.

SC1 Demonstrated knowledge and experience delivering a comprehensive occupational therapy service to students with a dual diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability in an educational environment.

SC2 Demonstrated ability to work in collaboration with teaching teams, parents and carers to develop and implement programs that extend a student's ability to engage and participate in learning.

SC3 Experience and/or knowledge in supporting teaching teams develop and deliver programs that assist students to self-regulate.

SC4 Highly developed interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills including demonstrated sensitivity to family issues in special education.

SC5 Ability to work with students who present with complex communication needs and/or challenging behaviours

Range 4 is distinguished by broader management responsibility, particularly in the areas of finance, human resource and other support functions.  Range 4 is responsible for managing a range of functions under a wide range of conditions, subject to the size and complexity of school operations. 

Objectives will, generally, be clearly defined; guidelines will be broad and day-to-day direction minimal.  Management responsibility extends to ensuring appropriate support levels are maintained across the school.  Range 4 generally provides key support and timely advice to the leadership team and school council and liaises with the general school community, the Department and other government agencies and service providers.

Specialised professional roles will carry a high level of independence and accountability where suitable scope is provided to achieve objectives.

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.

• Research, plan and prepare development programs for support staff.
• Administer training to school staff in specialist professional support areas, e.g. therapy, social work and psychology services.
• Manage recruitment procedures.
• Provide authoritative advice to the leadership team on support structures and work practices.
• Assist in the development of work practices that ensure appropriate occupational health and safety standards are maintained.
• Manage procedures relating to employee relations issues.
• Assist in the development of human resource planning.

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

The Department of Education and Training 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.

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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/protect/Pages/childsafestandards.aspx

The Department’s employees commit to upholding DET’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DET’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 DET values is available at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/Public-Sector-Values.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

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