2026 Ed Support Level 1-Range 4

Location Profile Working across schools in the LGA’s of Maribyrnong, Brimbank and Melton. Keilor Downs College will be host school for this Head Start position. About Head Start Head Start supports Victorian secondary school students to undertake school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs) while completing their VCE, including the VCE Vocational Major or the Victorian Pathways Certificate. Head Start aims to improve the outcomes, quality assurance and equitable distribution of opportunities for senior secondary and special education students who undertake an SBAT. Head Start also considers middle school students’ preparedness for success in the SBATs program. The three core components of Head Start are: flexible delivery of the senior secondary certificate with a strong focus on literacy and numeracy quality training delivered concurrently with secondary school education maximised time on the job to support achievement of competencies Head Start was piloted in over 150 schools from 2019 with strong outcomes. The expansion of Head Start includes access to all Victorian government secondary schools, including special schools, and Flexible Learning Options. The program has introduced more rigorous SBAT compliance and monitoring across the system supporting the state’s response to the 2020 Review into Vocational and Applied Learning Pathways in Senior Secondary Schooling (the Firth Review) reform agenda in senior secondary and vocational education. These reforms will collectively support all Victorian secondary students to pursue high‑quality and valued vocational pathways aligned with their strengths and interests and to finish schooling with the skills and capabilities they need for success in further education, training, work and life. The expansion of SBATs will also assist in addressing prioritised skill shortages by providing employers with support and access to school‑based apprentices and trainees. The option to maximise time in employment has proven to support students’ genuine progression through the apprenticeship or traineeship whilst meeting employer requirements. The program provides students with a clear pathway from school into employment with a qualification. About Head Start Hubs All government schools are committed to a collaborative and creative approach to improving vocational education outcomes and experiences for all students. All schools actively engaged with Head Start are committed to providing their students with a pathway to completing Year 12, whilst establishing an authentic career path within an industry with proven demand. Head Start hubs are overseen by a Board comprising selected host school principals and led by the Hub Director, who has the primary responsibility for reporting directly to its members. Role The Head Start Coordinator is a professional role, delivering a critical management and support function using a student‑centred approach. The coordinator may engage or support students from up to 50 government secondary and specialist schools, as well as Flexible Learning Options settings that align with one of the twelve program hubs across Victoria. Reporting directly to the Head Start Hub Director, the Head Start Coordinator will: develop and support Head Start arrangements that align with individual student’s stated career aspirations and interests supported by a collaborative sign‑up process; support the student’s progress through school and training; regularly undertake site visits and review the appropriateness of the work or training site; provide students with relevant and practical skills development for the workplace and training settings, and provide a safe, supportive and positive environment that values professional development; ensure appropriate support levels are maintained across the schools providing key support and timely advice to the Hub Director, teachers and career practitioners; develop and implement professional support tools for the success of the Head Start programme, including guidance to teaching, career, employer and other professional staff; liaise with the general school community, the department and other government agencies; training, employer and other related service providers when needed; support the Head Start service provided to students or industry alongside programme colleagues from across the state by identifying improvement opportunities and risk for strong student outcomes. Selection Criteria Demonstrated knowledge and experience in middle and senior year student career pathways and the interconnection with meaningful student outcomes; Demonstrated capacity to engage students or industry with programme models and manage programme data in accordance with government and education policy; Experience in advanced interventions in dealing with particularly complex cases that may require cross‑profession or industry collaboration; Effective communication skills when engaging with various stakeholders and levels of management including a commitment to the DET values; Effective management of personal workload and motivation to deliver a programme that rests across a large number of stakeholders, including student and support networks, schools and education systems, industry and workplace compliance and overarching state and Commonwealth regulations; Demonstrated proficiency in data systems and analysis. Responsibilities Key accountabilities Manage the delivery of a range of programme support services using a student‑centred approach across schools or industry, including coordinating the student workplace matching process; Determine work priorities, schedule and approach consistent with overall school and department policy frameworks; and manage relationships with school staff to ensure programme goals are achieved; Develop and maintain strong relationships with key programme stakeholders such as students and their support networks, employers, training providers, Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs) and the local community; Negotiate and manage contracts and service agreements relating to the programme; and act on behalf of the Head Start leadership team in the delivery of student and/or industry services; Develop and seek to improve successful interconnections between the senior secondary reform programmes; and identify and respond to any unforeseen touchpoints or risks with such programmes and other departmental initiatives alongside state‑wide colleagues delivering the Head Start SBATs programme; Maintain detailed records for each student and industry engagement involved in the Head Start SBATs programme; including interpret and analyse data to inform and provide authoritative advice to school and programme leadership; Supervision of students may be required where it is an integral part of the employee’s position or in circumstances where supervision is required individually or in groups up to 4 in controlled circumstances and where responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher; Other duties as directed. Who May Apply Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or a tertiary qualification that will add value to the context of education, training and skills opportunities for students. 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). Conditions of Employment Have a current driver’s licence; Have or be able to obtain a Working with Children check ( Be highly mobile – work may occur across a range of schools, potentially changing the Head Start Coordinator’s primary location over time; Complete work from a location(s) other than their host school; The successful applicant may be required to work some school holiday periods. Other Information Applicants should keep a copy of the position description as it cannot be accessed once the job has closed. Candidates are advised that the key selection criteria must be addressed. Visit for guidelines and tips for applying for government positions and addressing key selection criteria. All staff employed by DE and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements. Successful applicants are subject to a satisfactory criminal record check prior to employment. New DE employees are required to meet the cost of the criminal record check. If appointed from outside DE, successful applicants will be required to complete a pre‑employment health declaration. A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programmes provided. Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the DE’s Human Resources website at All DE employees are required to comply with relevant legislation, including legislation regarding the management of departmental records, the Code of Conduct for Victorian public sector employees and departmental policies and procedures in the conduct of their employment. To support DE’s commitment to its Environmental Management System, DE employees are expected to act in an environmentally responsible manner at all times. Due to the potential for amendments to both local school and DE policy in response to COVID, a level of flexibility may need to occur in relation to interview, appointment and commencement processes for this position. This may involve changes to interview dates, times and location at short notice, as well as the need for flexibility regarding appointment deadlines and possibly commencement of position. There may also present a need to maintain flexibility regarding working location(s) and communication between programme members once an appointment has been made. All queries regarding the information above should be made directly to the Hub Director via email or phone as per below: Email: ************@education.vic.gov.au Mobile: *** #J-18808-Ljbffr