Community Liaison Officer Robinvale

Overview The theme for Robinvale College is "New Beginnings", where staff and students will collaborate with the rest of the College Community and its partners to make Robinvale College the school of choice. An exciting challenge and opportunity lies in providing a learning environment that simultaneously respects diversity, while building college and community identity and pride. This position is for the educator who wants to make a difference. Robinvale College was established as a new entity in January 2016 through the closure of Robinvale P‑12 College which was formed in 2010 through the merger of Robinvale Secondary College and Robinvale Consolidated School. The College serves a large horticultural and agricultural community. We seek to appoint an experienced and highly motivated school leader; a leader who recognises and embraces diversity, engages, and partners with the local community, and who builds a highly skilled and strongly student‑centred staff team to improve student outcomes and pathways to future learning, training, and employment opportunities. As a rural school, Robinvale College's student profile is unique. The college is proud of its many cultures including Anglo Celtic, Italian, Koorie, Polynesian, Greek and Asian. In 2020 approximately 56% of the students were either of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, or Polynesian descent. In recent years the local community has seen an influx of new arrivals; there are over 40 different nationalities, including refugees from the Middle East and Horn of Africa – all in a town of 8,000 people. The need to provide inclusive educational opportunities for the many diverse cultures of students is fundamental. Raising achievement in Literacy and Numeracy continues to be the focus of student learning. The College aims for a combination of high‑quality teaching practices focusing on using data to inform practice and high levels of student engagement, primarily through students having a sense of ownership of their data and setting challenging goals. We aim for students to develop resilience to persevere through any challenges and to navigate the everyday issues that affect them in a spirit of problem‑solving, optimism, creativity, and fun. In 2019 Robinvale College entered into a 10‑year agreement with the Colman Foundation to become an “Our Place” School. This exciting partnership will support the opportunity for Robinvale College to provide families with a greater level of access to a range of services. Selection Criteria Demonstrate a commitment to child safety and an understanding of mandatory reporting processes. Have a high level of written and oral communication skills to a range of stakeholders of various ages including through the use of ICT, Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite for Education. Demonstrate an ability to work independently and as part of a team, ensuring a high level of accountability. Demonstrate an ability to maintain high levels of engagement, communication and trust with people of all ages and backgrounds. Have experience in supporting people from a range of cultures and backgrounds, including Pacific Islander peoples. Demonstrate an ability to plan and facilitate community activities, groups and events including presentations to groups of varied ages. Demonstrate some experience in mediation, including the use of negotiation tactics and conflict resolution strategies. Role The Community Liaison Officer, under the direction of the Robinvale College Principal, serves as a link between the school and families in the Robinvale and Euston communities with the aim of improving communication and relationships with school and families. You will also seek student participation and engagement in education, act as a point of contact for EAL families (especially Pacific Islander families) who need support in communicating with their child's school, and be responsible for planning and facilitating student and community group activities as well as parent information sessions that cater for the interests and needs of our clients. You will represent Robinvale College within the community, plan, prepare and distribute school communications in a range of translated languages, and assist school staff with accessing translation and interpreting services where needed. You will be expected to actively participate in school events and facilitate communication with students and families on career pathways and transition, working autonomously and with a high level of accountability. Responsibilities Ensure that the expected outcomes of the role and the funding grant are achieved. Monitor and evaluate progress inclusive of collating data, writing evaluation reports and providing feedback to the Principal. Provide high quality reporting and documentation on the progress and achievements reached, within the role. Conduct home and workplace visits to address barriers to student attendance and family communication with school. Implement and lead programs to support and engage students and their families that have been identified as being at risk. Assist parents, carers and students to address issues that are barriers to participation and engagement in school. Maintain confidentiality and duty of care. Follow Child Safe Standards and Mandatory Reporting procedures. Work co‑operatively with school staff, students, families and community stakeholders. Assist with school tours, parent‑teacher interviews, student‑led conferences and school‑based events. Maintain a daily logbook that accurately reflects daily tasks and outcomes. Plan and facilitate community and school‑based activities, including during lunch and after school. Other duties as may be required by the Principal of the Robinvale College. Who May Apply Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfil the specific requirements of the position. 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). 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 Eligibility Criteria Hold or be able to hold a valid Working with Children’s Check. Hold a valid driver’s licence. Have a high level of literacy and numeracy skills. Preferably, be able to speak a language other than English. Hold a valid bus licence or be willing to obtain one. Have a degree or related qualification in social work, community services, human services, welfare or education. Conditions of Employment 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 #J-18808-Ljbffr