Position Title / Field Placement Officer
Position No / 16216
Department / Early Childhood Education
Faculty/Centre / Faculty of Education, Services Skills and Environment
Classification / Administrative Officer 5 (AO5)
SalaryRange / $45,281 p.a.to $48,852 p.a. pro-rata
Prepared By / Dean, Faculty of Education, Services Skills and Environment
Date / July 2012
Reference No / 3903300019
Approved By / Associate Director, Human Resources
Primary Objectives of Position / 1.Organise and administer supervised practicum’s for students enrolled in Early Childhood Education Higher Education programs.
2.Effectively promote Holmesglen and the Faculty Education, Services Skills and Environment to prospective students/clients.
3.Assist in the recruitment, orientation and coordination of Field Placement Supervisors.
4.Provide administrative support to the Head of Department, Practicum Manager and Undergraduate Course Leader.
Manager/Supervisor /
  • Head of Department
  • Practicum Manager
  • Undergraduate Course Leader
  • Dean, Faculty of Education, Services Skills and Environment

Role of Position /
  • Organise, administer and oversee appropriate practicum’s for relevant students.
  • Assist in the coordination of a team of PracticumSupervisors.
  • Maintain and develop relationships with early childhood settings including child care centres, kindergartens, early learning centres and primary schools.

Role Of Subordinates (Where Applicable) / Not Applicable
Internal Communication Requirements /
  • Practicum Manager
  • Undergraduate Course Leader
  • Head of Department
  • Administrative Officers
  • Dean, Education, Services Skills and Environment
  • Placement Officers

External Communication Requirements /
  • Relevant industry bodies
  • Municipal councils
  • Employers

Specific Accountabilities /
  1. Assist the Practicum Manager and Undergraduate Course Leader in the recruitment and orientation of Practicum Supervisors.
  2. In conjunction with the Practicum Manager and Undergraduate Course Leader, evaluate the effectiveness of Practicum Supervisors and provide appropriate feedback.
  3. Provide on-call support for students and Practicum Supervisors during practicums.
  4. Maintain and develop relationships, partnerships and networks with early childhood settings.
  5. Liaise with early childhood settings to organise and administer practicums for students.
  6. Assess practicum venues to ensure that they are appropriate to the learning and assessment outcomes as required.
  7. Maintain a current database of suitable practicum settings.
  8. Conduct risk assessment on all practicum locations prior to students attending in accordance with Holmesglen policy.
  9. Ensure practical placement agreements with students and practicum settings are in place prior to commencement of practicum.
  10. Maintain student practicum attendance records.
  11. Collect, collate and file Practicum Supervisors and Workplace Supervisor’s report in a confidential and accessible manner.
  12. Participate in pre-practicum briefings, practicum tutorials and post-practicum debriefings with students and relevant staff.
  13. Participate in the scheduling of practicum’s in conjunction with the Practicum Manager and Undergraduate Course Leader.

Qualifications / Relevant Early Childhood field Degree or Diploma or suitable combination of lesser qualifications and relevant experience.
Knowledge /
  • Industry operations and issues.
  • The requirements of Higher Education programs.
  • The role of a Placement Officer.
  • Business communication requirements and office procedures.

Experience /
  • Experience in working within the Early Childhood field.
  • Administrative experience.
  • Experience in an educational environment is desirable, but not essential.

Skills /
  • Capacity to communicate and negotiate effectively with industry and community groups.
  • Ability to prioritise and organise tasks.
  • Good verbal and written communication skills.
  • Clear, concise and accessible record keeping skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as an effective team member.
  • Proficiency in the use of computer packages including electronic communications and databases.

Key Selection Criteria / 1.Good verbal and written communication skills.
2.Experience in working within the Early Childhoodfield.
3.Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with industry and community groups.
4.Proven ability to prioritise tasks, work independently and as an effective team member.
5.Demonstrated proficiency in the use of computer packages including electronic communications and databases.
6.Knowledge of industry operations and issues.
Other /
  • The Incumbent may be required to perform his/her duties at any campus or location controlled by the Board or elsewhere as directed.

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