National Behaviour Support Service

Regional Development Officer

Job Description and General Notes

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  1. Competition

The National Behaviour Support Service (NBSS) is part of the Department of Education and Skills’ national framework of school support offering assistance to partner post-primary schools in the area of student behaviour. NBSS is included in the new Inclusion Support Service being established under the auspices of the NCSE. The current arrangements for teachers seconded to work with NBSS will continue to apply in the 2015/16 school year.

The current competition is for the appointment of Regional Development Officers (RDOs). Successful candidates will join the NBSS multi-disciplinary professional team working under the direction of the National Co-ordinator. In their role, they will actively support self-selected partner schools in developing and implementing systems and methods to promote positive behaviour. This will include the dissemination, and in some cases, the design of behaviour for learning resources for both students and teachers. An important component of NBSS support to schools is its on-going programme of national and regional Continuing Professional Development. Successful candidates will also contribute to the planning and delivery of the NBSS CPD Programme.

  1. Job Description

The overarching remit of the Regional Development Officers will be to support and contribute to the work and the strategic development of the National Behaviour Support Service(NBSS). In collaboration with the National Coordinator and Assistant National Coordinators the RDOs will carry out the following tasks:

  • work with school management, school staff and members of the wider school community as appropriate to:
  1. identify issues in relation to student behaviour
  2. develop strategies/interventions to address identified issues
  3. facilitate the implementation of these strategies/interventions in practice
  4. lead, influence and motivate school management and school staff in the implementation of these strategies/interventions
  5. participate in the collaborative development of approaches and resourcesfor schools in relation to behaviour issues
  • actively organise visits and work directly with school management, teachers and students in individual schools, as required
  • promote and facilitate the dissemination of best practice in the area of positive behaviour management
  • source, design, prepare, implement, review and evaluate resource materials for students, teachers, school management and NBSS team members, as appropriate
  • build and maintain a professionally supportive relationship with schools to promote positive student behaviour
  • facilitate national in-service, in school and cluster based staff seminars, workshops etc., as appropriate
  • liaise and collaborate with all other NBSS support personnel (full and part time) to ensure cohesion and consistency of support
  • liaise and work with other Department of Education and Skills’ Support Services andrelevant statutory and local agencies, as relevant
  • participate, as required, in the evaluation of the work of the service
  • maintain up to date records
  • provide such data and reports as are required by the National Coordinator, the NBSS Steering Committee, Navan Education Centre and the Department of Education and Skills
  • undertake any other work relating to the work of the NBSS as directed by the National Coordinator and/or Steering Committee

The role of the Regional Development Officers may vary in accordance with emerging needs and priorities.

  1. Range of knowledge, experience and skills required

The ideal candidate will possess a range of competencies and skills to support the role, in

particular:

  • excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills
  • a strong work ethic
  • excellent organisation and management skills
  • proven and varied experience in the area of student behaviour
  • understanding and experience of dealing with behavioural issues in the context of teaching and learning in schools
  • knowledge of the curriculum at post-primary level
  • the ability to generate enthusiasm, motivate and innovate
  • proven capacity to work independently and as part of a team
  • excellent problem solving and conflict resolution skills
  • ability to pro-actively organise and coordinate the work of others
  • a range of teaching experience with an understanding of the operation of schools and relevant legislation
  • experience of innovation/development in post-primary schools and /or designing and delivering continuing professional development courses, including evidence of a capacity to mobilise and support teacher reflection, enquiry and school-based research
  • flexibility to meet the needs of the NBSS, including a willingness to engage in travel and/or evening and weekend work, as necessary
  • good ICT skills and the capacity to manage and promote the effective adoption of ICT as a teaching and learning resource
  • knowledge of current and emerging education policy and research issues

4. Location

  • Successful candidates will be contracted on a secondment basis to Navan Education Centre, Co.Meath.The work base of a Regional Development Officer may be in an Education Centre, at home or in another agreed location. He/she will not be required to be located in Navan Education Centre. He/she will however, be required to travel there and elsewhere as necessary.
  • Administrative support for the work of the Regional Development Officer will be provided though Navan Education Centre.
  • Successful candidates will be required to have their own means of transport and retain a full-driving licence. Public service travel and subsistence rates will apply and will be calculated from his/her local designated Education Centre, or home, whichever is nearest to the venue.

5. Competition

Essential Requirements

Each candidate must:

  • Be a fully qualified Primary or Post-Primary teacher

AND

  • Be fully registered with the Teaching Council under Regulation 2 and/or Regulation 4 of the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2009

Each Candidate must also:

  • Hold a recognised post in a recognised primary or post- primary school

OR

  • Be on secondment from a recognised post in a recognised primary or post- primary school.

Candidates should also note the following:

  • The appointment is subject to the sanction of the Minister for Education and Skills. No definitive offer of appointment can be made before sanction is given.
  • The appointment is subject to Garda Vetting clearance.
  • Persons will be appointed on a secondment basis for a term of no more than five years. The five-year term will commence on September 2015 (or as soon as possible thereafter) and end on 31st August 2019. If vacancies arise before September 2015 these will be filled by the panel.
  • If you are a teacher who is already on secondment then your current service on secondment will be included as part of the five-year term above and therefore your five-year term may end before 31st August 2019.
  • In making an offer for appointment under this competition, regard may be had to the duration of contract that may be offered to a candidate.
  • The person appointed will be seconded for an initial period of one school year, subject to satisfactory completion of a 3 month probationary period.
  • A person’s secondment is subject to annual renewal by the secondee’s Board of Management and subject to Department of Education & Skills approval.
  • A person appointed to the post of RDO must meet and comply with DES requirements for secondments.
  • The contract will provide for on-going performance review
  • Health, sick leave and general work record must be satisfactory
  • The successful candidate will be required to work exclusively for the NBSS and may not take on other employments for the period of their contract without the appropriate approval.
  1. Salary

The salary for a Regional Development Officer is in accordance with Category 4 as provided for by the 2003 Arbitration Award in respect of Teachers on Secondment.

Remuneration is at all times subject to the relevant DES or Department of Public Expenditure and Reform legislation, regulations and circulars.

A Regional Development Officer is entitled to all of the following:

  • her/his relevant point on the Teachers’ Common Basic Scale, plus
  • an honours primary degree allowance
  • an honours Higher Diploma in Education allowance
  • the standard Category 4 secondment allowance, which is pensionable (see table below).

Seconded Category / Position / Teachers’ Common Basic Scale / Honours Degree Allowance / Honours H.D.E Allowance / Standard Secondment Allowance
4 / Regional Development Officer / As Applicable / €4,918 pa
@1/1/2010 / €1,236 pa
@ 1/1/2010 / €10,130 pa
@ 1/1/2010

Note: Circular 053/2014 refers

Post of responsibility allowances will not be payable to seconded personnel who are in receipt of the above secondment allowances.

7. Selection Procedure

Applications should be made by submission of a completed application form. This should be submitted in electronic format no later than 12 noon on May 8th, 2015. Please note that three signed hard copies must also be submitted by Friday 15th May, 2015 to:

Sharon Gavillet

NBSS Administrator

National Behaviour Support Service

Navan Education Centre

Athlumney

Navan

Co Meath

Phone:(046) 9093355

Fax:(046) 9093354

Email:

  • Late applications will not be considered
  • A selection committee will be established to carry out all aspects of the selection process.
  • Shortlisting may apply.
  • It is the responsibility of the candidates to make themselves available for interview, if invited to attend. Candidates should note that it may not be possible to provide an alternative date.
  • Those called for interview will be asked to make a 5 minute presentation to the interview panel focusing on the applicant’s vision for the position and the contribution they could make to the development of the organisation.
  • A panel will be formed from which future RDO vacancies will be filled.
  • Candidates will be responsible for all expenses incurred in connection with their application and attendance at interview.

8. Release from Present Post

  • It is a matter for successful candidates to secure the agreement of their school authorities for release to take up a post for the period concerned.
  • Successful candidates will be expected to be available to take up appointment as soon as possible.
  • Commitment of release from your employer will be required. On receipt of an offer the successful candidate will be asked to seek immediate confirmation from his/her employer (e.g. Chairperson of the Board of Management). This signed statement should indicate that the employer (e.g. Chairperson of the Board of Management) is in a position to release the successful applicant.