Religious Education Adviser

Position: Religious Education Adviser
Salary Range: $133,747 - $150,533 per annum pending experience
Tenure: Full Time, 5 Year Fixed Term Contract
Commencing Date: January 2022
Closing Date: Thursday, 28 October 2021

Townsville Catholic Education supports a diverse region extending from Townsville to the Burdekin and Whitsunday regions in the South, North to Ingham and Halifax, South-West to Winton, and West to the border with the Northern Territory, encompassing Mount Isa and several small, isolated western towns and east to Palm Island.

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 are recognised as being central to achieving our mission. 

About the role

The major responsibility of this role is the support of Catholic education and school leadership in the development and maintenance of quality religious educational outcomes in schools in the Diocese of Townsville. 

The Religious Education Adviser is accountable for effectively contributing to the capacity and capability building of educators to improve Catholic Identity, Religious Education, religious literacy and faith formation for students and staff of Townsville Catholic Education. A key focus for this role is coaching and support to build capacity at service and school level.

The Religious Education Adviser reports to the Director - Catholic Identity and Indigenous Education Services and works closely with teachers and senior staff in schools, particularly Assistant to the Principal – Religious Education (APRE), to ensure the provision of quality Catholic education.

The role is one of partnership with the leadership of TCE and the community of Principals in the integration and alignment of systemic and school community perspectives and priorities.

Key Accountabilities

• Through the provision of specialist curriculum advice in accordance with the System Learning Framework, support Principals, school leaders and teachers in creating and managing positive learning environments with the intention of improving student learning outcomes.
• Through the provision of specialist Catholic Identity and Religious Education advice in accordance with the System Learning Framework, support Principals, APREs, other school leaders and teachers in creating and managing positive learning environments which hold the Catholic tradition at the core of teaching practice.
• Working as part of a School Service Team, proactively liaise with schools to ensure the enhancement of the school's Catholic Identity, the early identification of Religious Education support needs and the timely sharing of important information.
• Collaborate directly with Principals and APREs to help schools prepare their annual curriculum review through the development of a School Development Plan which best meets the individual needs of the school considering its learning environment and unique context.
• Drawing on specialist advice from the System Learning and Teaching Adviser – Religious Education, manage planning for the support of professional development and renewal of teachers in teaching and learning practices. This includes the delivery and/or coordination of quality Catholic formation and professional development opportunities for teachers of Religious Education.
• Proactively support school communities in the improvement of spiritual formation for staff and students through motivation, consultation and delivery of appropriate services.
• Foster an environment of mutual support for growth and professional development by coordinating networking and cluster support for school RE leaders and teachers, and by collaborating directly with school service team peers to ensure a coordinated approach to the provision of advice to support to a cluster of schools.
• Provide specialist advice to both the Director – Catholic Identity and Indigenous Education Services and the Education Consultant and monitor the development and implementation of government educational policies and procedures as it impacts on Catholic schools in the Townsville system.

About you

Experience

• Recent experience teaching Religion in a Catholic School within the K-12 range
• Demonstrated successful experience coaching and supporting school staff to implement Religious Education programs, and competency in preparing and presenting professional development for teachers in an adult learning environment
• Experience in teaching and assessment of Religious Education and Theology courses at Certificate IV level would be highly advantageous.

Knowledge

• Demonstrated commitment to the Mission and Purpose of Catholic Education
• Demonstrated contemporary knowledge of theology (assessment and reporting), Catholic formation and Religious Education curriculum and teaching practice
• Knowledge of liturgical practice according to the Liturgical documents of Vatican II
• Knowledge of pastoral care practices and principles as applicable to Catholic Schools
• Understanding of curriculum directions at State and National levels
• Knowledge of the Queensland College of Teacher Registration requirements
• Knowledge of Diocesan policies and procedures.

Skills

• Ability to successfully plan, implement and evaluate projects and professional learning strategies supporting education for students in the K-12 range
• Competency in preparing and presenting professional development in an adult learning environment
• An ability to work with key stakeholders in relation to leading Catholic Identity and Mission in Schools and in the delivery of quality Religious Education in the classroom
• Strong communication skills to enable successful team membership in a matrix structure which involves broad collaboration across Office Directorates and schools, while maintaining a focus on supporting the understanding of the learner and the learning process.

Mandatory Criteria

• Current Working with Children Suitability Card - The successful candidate will require a paid Blue Card before commencement as per the No Card, No Start policy developed by the Queensland Government (if not registered with the Queensland College of Teachers)
• Ability to perform the physical requirements of the role in a safe manner
• Appropriate Tertiary qualifications
• Registration or eligibility for registration with Queensland College of Teachers
• A minimum of 8 semester units of post graduate study in Religious Education, Scripture, Theology, Catholic Ethos
• Full accreditation to teach/teach Religious Education in a Catholic school
• Current Driver’s Licence
• Ability to travel from time to time within the Catholic Diocese of Townsville

Desirable Criteria

• Certificate IV Assessment and Workplace Training.
  
  *Some employees may be subject to pre-employment medical assessments during the selection process. Depending on the nature of the role, it may be necessary for successful applicants to be immunised against certain preventable diseases in order to minimise the risk of transmission.

What we offer

• Competitive Salary starting: $133,747 - $150,533 per annum pending experience
• Access to a company motor vehicle in line with TCE guidelines
• 5 Weeks Annual Leave with 17.5% leave loading on 4 weeks
• Salary packaging options 
• Modern facilities, equipment and resources
• Superannuation up to 12.75% employer contribution (in a  co-contribution arrangement)
• Access to long service leave after 7 years of continuous service
• 14 Weeks’ paid parental leave
• Deferred Salary Scheme
• Corporate health insurance 
• Induction, professional development and learning opportunities
• Wellbeing programs and initiatives

How to apply

1. Please complete the application form below
2. Upload a current resume 
3. Upload a cover letter to support your application.

Please refer to the Position Description for more information.

• For a confidential conversation please contact Louise Vella-Cox, Director Catholic Identity and Indigenous Education Services on 0747730900
• For further information regarding the remuneration package please contact TCEO Human Resources recruitment@tsv.catholic.edu.au

Application close: 5pm Thursday, 28 October 2021.

Applications during the shortlisting phase will be kept confidential.

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