Address
Form of workSC1- Experience working with school communities, families and community organisations involving individuals of culturally and linguistic diverse backgrounds.
SC2- Excellent stakeholder management and relationship building skills including the ability to partner with and broker support from local community organisations
SC3- Ability to build strong working relationships with parents and local community organisations to identify best practice and areas for improvement to support student and parent engagement.
SC4- Excellent time management and organisational skills
SC5- Ability to work as part of a statewide team and embrace a community of practice approach
RoleThe School Community Liaison Officer will be required to support school communities to focus on increasing school engagement, strengthening partnerships with families and community and facilitating activities to increase retention and school completion.
The School Community Liaison Officer will be expected to work in collaboration with School Community Liaison Officers appointed to other schools across the North West, South West and South East Victorian regions through membership of an established community of practice. The School Community Liaison Officers will be supported by a centrally based project officer and provide regular reports to support the implementation, evaluation and ongoing monitoring of the project. There is an expectation that this role will require travel to other sites of delivery and to the DET Central Office in Melbourne CBD.
Responsibilities1. Work directly with groups of African young people or individuals, planning interventions to ensure all young people are connected to an education or employment pathway.
2. Establish and maintain effective communication between school communities and families, convening information sessions for parents, supporting engagement of parents in parent teacher nights, school celebrations and information days.
3. Facilitate access to homework clubs and afterschool programs, to offer support and mentoring outside of the school.
4. Build on established links with African community organisations to access community guidance and knowledge.
5. Build cultural awareness and understanding within the school communities.
6. Maintain regular communication with the centrally based project officer and provide regular reports to support the implementation, evaluation and ongoing monitoring of the project.
7. Participate in a community of practice facilitated by the central Senior Program Officer and including all School Community Liaison Officers.
8. Undertake other activities as directed by the centrally based project.
Who May Apply· Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfil the specific requirements of the position.
· This role is identified as available for African heritage applicants only. Confirmation of your African heritage may be requested.
How to apply · Applications should include a resume and response to the key selection criteria. If you need assistance, please see How to apply (careers.vic.gov.au) www.careers.vic.gov.au/how-to-apply
EEO AND OHS CommitmentThe 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
- 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.
- 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
For positions in special settings, a person is not eligible for employment unless they meet the vaccination requirements on commencement in the position.
As part of the Victorian African Communities Action Plan, education is identified as a key focus area and funding is available to employ School Community Liaison Officers in school communities with high populations of African young people to improve their connection to education and provide tailored support.
The School Community Liaison Officer at Debney Meadows Primary School will support your school community and a cluster of neighbouring schools with high populations of African young people to increase school engagement, strengthen partnerships with families and community and facilitate activities to increase retention and school completion.
This role will be one of eight School Community Liaison Officers appointed to school communities with high populations of African young people across the State and supported by a Senior Program Officer appointed by the Department of Education Training (DET) and operating from the DET central office in Melbourne.
Location
The School Community Liaison Officer will be located at Debney Meadows Primary School and will work in partnership with Flemington Primary School and Ascot Vale West Primary School.
Debney Meadows Primary School is an inner-city school located on the edge of Debneys Park in Flemington. The school prides itself on innovative teaching and assessment practices that aim to cater to the individual learning needs of each and every child. Debney Meadows Primary School focuses on achieving academic and social excellence for all students in its care.
Our philosophy is built on the belief that students learn best when they have a strong sense of belonging to their classroom and have pride in their school. DMPS students are encouraged to be active independent learners, who set goals, and challenge themselves in order to achieve personal excellence. We demonstrate a commitment to providing a rich and rigorous curriculum within a safe, consistent and outcome-driven learning community. We strive to provide a supportive, nurturing and challenging learning environment, with high expectations for student success. We support students to reach their potential and to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to participate and thrive in the wider community. Our vision statement captures our core work - Our school is a safe and caring learning community who strive for excellence. We display our school values of Excellence, Respect and Resilience by working collaboratively and reflecting on our practices to improve student outcomes, supporting them to achieve success as learners.
