School Officer

Position: School Officer - Assisted Student Learning/Administration
Classification: Term Time, Contract
Dates: 13th July 2020 until 4th December 2020
Hours: 27.25 hours per week
Pay Rate: $26.12 - $26.80 per hour (pending experience)

Contact: HR Services (07) 4773 0900 
Email: recruitment@tsv.catholic.edu.au

St Joseph's Catholic School, Cloncurry offers a high quality curriculum and schooling experience for students from prep to year 9. The school was founded in October 1909, some months after Mother Mary MacKillop decided to send a community of her Sisters of St Joseph to the town. In the early years, schooling took place in the presbytery, in a shed and in the church until a school was opened in 1913. Today we still are influenced by the life and work of St Mary MacKillop and the Josephite Sisters as we endeavour to “Never see a need without doing something about it”.

Townsville Catholic Education provides a supportive, flexible working environment where care for the individual is an important part of our ethos.  We employ motivated people who want to work together to produce excellent outcomes for our students. Our staff is recognised as being central to achieving our mission. 

St Joseph's Catholic School, Cloncurry is seeking applications from driven and passionate School Officers - ASL (Teacher Aides). This role is a Term Time position working 27.25 hours per week on a contract basis commencing from Monday 13th July 2020 until Friday 4th December 2020. 

About the role

The primary purpose of the School Officer – ASL/Administration is to work in collaboration with the Inclusive Education Teacher to provide support and guidance to assist students with learning and development. The position will demonstrate competency involving the application of knowledge and skills to a range of tasks to support the teacher in order to optimise student learning outcomes.

The School Officer – ASL/Administration will also work in collaboration with the other school staff to support the effective coordination of the school office. As an initial point of contact, it is integral, the incumbent presents a professional image and creates a welcoming, warm and positive impression whether via phone, email or in person.

The School Officer - Assisted Student Learning/Administration will have key accountabilities across the following:

Assist the student’s learning and participation support

• Assist the Inclusive Education Teacher in implementing and supervising learning programs
• Be aware of the teacher’s expectations of the students in the class and work with the teacher, actively participating in activities, intervening and encouraging students where appropriate
• Assist individuals or small groups, with activities as part of inclusive teaching and learning practices, supporting the teacher with behaviour management and the development of social skills and classroom skills development
• Assist students with their personal organisation when required
• Respond to all students in the classroom in a warm and encouraging manner and build collaborative relationships with the students and respond to individual learning needs
• Support identified students with learning barriers, to engage in a range of learning activities inside the classroom
• Communicate with the Inclusive Education Teachers about student progress and areas of need.

Learning and teaching support

• Assist the teacher with classroom resourcing, preparation and coordination
• Work in partnership with the teacher to support student learning
• Collect data for analysis by the teacher – work samples, anecdotal notes on performance of task, work habits, behaviour etc
• Provide general formative feedback to student on performance during the teaching session
• Work in partnership with the teacher to implement aspects of learning plans, as identified by the teacher, for groups of students.

Pastoral care support

• Work to promote self-esteem and assist with student social interactions by teaching them social skills and discussing with them their social behaviours as required
• Provide assistance with personal care as required which may also include mobility and personal hygiene
• Develop professional relationships with students based on trust and respect, which utilises a strengths-based approach
• Inform the Principal on any wellbeing issues that may arise with students
• Provide assistance with communication – including note taking, taping material and using ICT to optimise the student’s learning experiences.

Administration

• Support the delivery of operational tasks associated with reception and administration 
• Mail management and distribution
• General filing
• Responding to incoming telephone and email enquiries
• Dealing professionally with and directing enquiries of parents, visitors and contractors
• Data entry to support daily attendance rolls, enrolment details and record management
• Production of the school newsletter
• Updating the school Facebook page
• Administer first aid to staff and students.
• Any other tasks as reasonably directed.

About You

Experience

• Demonstrated competence and confidence in using a personal computer and relevant software packages e.g. Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Google Suite
• Experience working with students with behaviour management needs is highly regarded
• Experience in organisational planning and coordination skills including the ability to manage competing deadlines.

Knowledge

• Understanding of, and/or interest in, the key social and developmental issues impacting secondary and primary school age students
• Understanding of physical, social and emotional issues in providing care and support to students with disabilities and special learning needs
• Understanding and ability to assist students with severe disabilities e.g. scribing, lifting, toileting etc.

Skills

• Ability to develop and sustain productive working relationships
• Ability to adapt to the complex nature of the variety of student learning and physical disabilities encountered and to demonstrate initiative and be flexible in a variety of situations
• Developed interpersonal and communication skills, including ability to work collaboratively with all members of the school community and to communicate with a wide range of individuals including students, parents, teachers and consulting professionals
• Professional presentation skills with the ability to proactively engage and enthuse both students, parents and other colleagues
• Ability to display respect and empathy for students with additional needs
• Discretion and an ability to maintain confidentiality.

Mandatory Criteria

• Current Working with Children Suitability Card or eligibility to obtain same
• Current Driver’s Licence
• Ability to travel from time to time within the Catholic Diocese of Townsville
• Ability to perform the physical requirements of the role in a safe manner.

For more information, please view the Position Description. 

How to Apply

1. Complete the application form
2. Upload a cover letter and a supporting statement (no more than 2 A4 pages) which addresses your suitability for the position
3. Upload a current resume which also includes the name, email address and contact details of two referees.

Applications close 4pm Friday 5th June 2020.