School Community Liaison Officer

School Community Liaison Officer - Ed Support Level 1-Range 3.5 Department of Education Victoria – Dandenong VIC 6d ago , from Department of Education & Training Victoria Established in 1919 Dandenong High School is one of the oldest, largest and most culturally diverse secondary schools in the state. It is situated in the South‑East Region in Dandenong, a low socio‑economic community (SFO density 0.72) with a high refugee population. The school has over 1400 students and is highly multicultural with 62 nationalities and 80 different language groups represented. Dandenong High School is renowned, both nationally and internationally, for its state‑of‑the‑art facilities that provide extensive and highly dynamic learning opportunities for all within the school community. These spaces, designed to empower students through discovery, inquiry and collaboration, include the 7 Houses, which are purposeful designed learning spaces in which students undertake their core learning. Our facilities also include specialist spaces such as the Melaleuca Performing Arts and Sporting complex and the Senior Science Wing which incorporates purposefully designed Chemistry, Physics and Biology labs that provide opportunities for students to collaborate and investigate real world scientific questions. Our Senior Visual Arts and Media space provide students the opportunity to experience real‑world industry‑standard learning, thereby preparing them for careers beyond school. In 2022, additional facilities will be opened which include two industry standard Food Technology Kitchens, a large dining Cafeteria, outdoor eating terrace and the Design Centre, where students will embark on innovative and future‑focused STEM learning. The structure of the school is designed to foster students' connectedness and engagement. We have seven identically designed Houses; each containing purposefully designed learning spaces. Each House is vertically structured with students at each year level from Year 7 through to Year 12. Each House has 25 staff from all Domains and teaching areas and is led by a House Leadership Team of 4 and an Administration Officer. A consistent pedagogical approach to teaching, learning and assessment is achieved through the Design for Learning that ensures every individual student is able to achieve at least one year’s growth in 12 months. In Years 7‑9, our collaborative model is designed to allow groups of students to learn with a team of teachers for the core subject areas. Each Teaching Team plan, teach and assess collaboratively. There is a focus on project‑based learning and students are encouraged to be independent learners, self‑motivated and curious about the world around them. Students in Years 7‑8 also undertake a range of Arts and Design subjects over the two years in specialised learning areas outside the House. In Year 9, students can select from an extensive elective program in addition to their core learning. Dandenong High School offers a broad range of opportunities to senior students, including VCE, Vocational Education and Training and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning. Our Senior Studies program provides all students with a tailored individualised pathway, allowing for informed student choice. The personalisation of learning across the school is intended to ensure every individual student is provided with the most appropriate pathway so as to ensure all achieve success. Dandenong High School has a highly rigorous and academically stimulating Accelerated and Enhanced Learning Program, providing students with an enriched and extended personalised program designed to ensure all individuals reach their full potential. Our STEM program includes a core subject in Year 7 and 8, a year‑long elective in Year 9, Year 10 STEM Innovators, Robotics and IT, and a variety of pathway options in the senior years including Computing Science, IT, Systems Engineering and Software Development, proving extensive pathways opportunities into university and highly‑sought after careers. In 2022 we are launching of Design Engineering Academy for selected students. Student leadership, voice and agency is highly‑valued and students have the opportunity to hold a range of formal leadership positions including School and House Captains and undertake membership on both the School Council and the Student Representative Council. Our Student Leaders have responsibility for shaping the strategic direction of the school. Selection Criteria SC1. Experience working with school communities, families and community organisations involving individuals of culturally and linguistic diverse backgrounds. SC 2. Excellent stakeholder management and relationship building skills including the ability to partner with and broker support from local community organisations. SC 3. 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. SC 4. Excellent time management and organisational skills. SC 5. Ability to work as part of a statewide team and embrace a community of practice approach. Role The 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 program 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 DE Central Office in Melbourne CBD. Responsibilities Provide support to school communities they are working with to establish and maintain communication between young people, families and the local community. Work directly with groups of young people or individuals, planning interventions to ensure young people are connected to an education. Work directly with young people to provide platforms for student voice, facilitate leadership opportunities and facilitate activities that aligns with their needs. Facilitate information sessions for parents to support an increased understanding of the education system and platforms and increase engagement with parent teacher nights, information days and school celebrations. Facilitate professional learning for school staff on cultural responsiveness and safety coordinate workshops and forums for the school and local community. Facilitate access to homework clubs and afterschool programs, to offer support and mentoring outside of the school. Support school leaders with the rollout of the cultural competency framework and other activities aimed at strengthening inclusivity for diverse communities. Participate in a statewide community of practices and statewide planning days with other School Community Liaison Officers. 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. Diversity and Inclusion The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, 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 safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines). Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via *******@education.vic.gov.au . 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. Child Safe Standards 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: DE Values 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: Other Information It is desirable that the successful applicant has a relevant tertiary qualification in community development, education, social work or equivalent. 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 Conditions of Employment The successful candidate will be required to work some hours during the school holidays. Regular work hours will be 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays. This may be negotiated as appropriate. The successful candidate will be eligible to claim time in lieu (TIL) where they are required to work in excess of their normal hours of duty. Be careful - Don’t provide your bank or credit card details when applying for jobs. Don't transfer any money or complete suspicious online surveys. If you see something suspicious, report this job ad. #J-18808-Ljbffr