Pre School Field Officer Program Lead

• Full time, Permanent
• 117,115 per annum plus Super, Industry Allowances and Vehicle Allowance
• Join our Family Youth & Children team.

Hume City Council is one of Australia's fastest growing and culturally diverse councils. We put the customer and our community at the centre of all that we do, ensuring our services are efficient and accessible.

Hume City Council is seeking a passionate and highly skilled professional to lead our Preschool Field Officer team a leader who is committed to supporting our existing team while also managing their own caseload.

If ensuring kindergarten programs meet the needs of children with additional needs by providing support and guidance to educators inspires you, we would like to hear from you.

We are seeking an experienced early childhood professional who has a proven record in planning and delivering high quality inclusive kindergarten programs. Teachers with an additional qualifications or experience working in early intervention are highly desirable.

The PSFO program contributes to the provision of a quality kindergarten programs across the municipality with services who deliver Victorian Government funded kindergartens programs. Applicants that have worked in a PSFO role previously will be highly regarded for this leadership role.

What you'll be doing:

• Manage the PSFO Program to ensure the provision of high-quality customer service to ECEC services and the community; and support family's equitable access to care and education with the aim of increasing participation in the early years; particularly by the most vulnerable.
• Use research and evidence based practice and principles from the VEYLDF to guide service improvements across the municipality.
• Lead, support, supervise and mentor PSFO staff, including providing opportunities for debriefing.
• Complete quarterly check ins for each PSFO and support the team and individuals to access appropriate professional development opportunities that build the teams capacity.
• Strengthen partnerships with internal programs such as AEL, CALD, Best Start, playgroups, Maternal and Child Health, and other programs in the Family, Youth and Children's Department to provide seamless referrals, consultative support, and multiple pathways and opportunities for families and children.
• Plan, contribute to and promote community engagement, communication, education and training opportunities relating to the importance of inclusion and the early years, accessing high quality care, education and community programs, natural play environments, and the role of the PSFO program in supporting children's access and participation in ECEC services.
• Manage and monitor the service delivery priorities and effectiveness of the PSFO program in line with DE service level agreements and guidelines, whilst maintaining an active case load.
• Build and maintain positive and productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes including to deliver improved client outcomes through programs service and activities. Lead, and participate in, professional and service delivery networks as appropriate.
• Attend meetings and represent the department and/or Council as required.
• Other duties as directed within the skills and abilities of a position at this level; including the ability to perform the Inclusion & Service Planning Coordinator role as required.

The skills and experience you'll bring to the role:

• Skills and experience in developing, leading, supervising, supporting and mentoring teams to deliver high level programs to the community.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of child development, play based learning and its application in early years and community settings.
• Highly developed assessment and referral skills and demonstrated understanding of the impact of trauma and disadvantage on a child's development and the importance of relationships in fostering a child's learning and development.
• Demonstrated capacity to work in collaboration with key stakeholders to identify and scope systemic and local barriers and challenges facing families, particularly those most vulnerable, in accessing and participating in early year's services.
• A tertiary qualification in Early Childhood Education in accordance with the National Legislation 2010, or current regulatory requirement.

For any enquiries, please contact Tania Ellul on 0456 958 ***.

Why Hume City Council?

A leader in local government, we're committed to creating an inclusive and collaborative work environment that is guided by our values:

We're better, every day: We give things a go and value progress over perfection. We have permission to go for it and are expected to reflect and learn.

We're in it together: At Hume, everyone matters. We Welcome and include all. Respect and safety are expected.

We show up: We empower and trust others and own our work. We rise to the challenges and are expected to do what we say we will.

All for Hume: We strive to achieve our best for the Hume Community. We are proud and passionate about working towards better outcomes and expect they are at the centre of everything we do.

We offer a competitive salary package, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.

A child safe organisation and an equal opportunity employer. Council encourages people of all ages, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply.

All candidates will be required to undertake background and probity checks including Reference Checks, Working with Children Check, and a Criminal Record Check