Information Pack

Family Day Care Education and Resource Officer

Thank you for your interest in applying for the position Family Day Care Education and Resource Officer with the City of Ballarat.

Please find enclosed an information package for the position. The package includes the following documents:

  • Employment Details
  • Benefits of working with the City of Ballarat
  • Position description including the ‘Key Selection Criteria’
  • ‘How to Apply’

For general details of the Council, please refer to the following web site:

For further information about the position or duties involved; please contact Chris ODoherty, Manager, Child Care Services on 03 5320 5713.

If you wish to apply for this position, please refer to ‘How to Apply’ notes at the end of this document.

Employment Details for the Position

Status:Temporary, part time, position until 20 December, 2013.

Hours:Normal hours are between 8.30 am to 5:00 pm Wednesday to Friday, with a 45 minute lunch break.

Location:The position will be based at the Phoenix, Armstrong Street South, Ballarat.

Agreement:Ballarat City Council Enterprise Agreement No 5, 2010

Classification:Band 5

Salary:$55,737 to $63,626 prorata, per annum plus 9.25% superannuation.

Payment Details:Salary is paid on a fortnightly basis into a nominated bank account by direct bank deposit.

Superannuation:Council will contribute 9.25% of salary to a complying superannuation fund nominated by an employee. If an employee fails to nominate a complying fund the council will make the contributions to the Local Authorities Superannuation Fund, known as Vision Super.

QualifyingThis position is subject to an initial one (1) month qualifying

Period:period.

Annual Leave:Four (4) weeks annual leave pro rataper annum.

Sick Leave:Twelve (12) days sick leave pro rataper annum.

Long Service Leave:Three (3) monthspro rata after ten (10) years of service. Eligible Employees are able to access their Long Service Leave (LSL) entitlements pro-rata after seven (7) years continuous service. LSL may be subjected to portability arrangements for Local Government employees in certain circumstances.

Pre-EmploymentMedical:It is a condition of employment that appointees must undertake a pre-employment medical examination at the Council’s cost. A medical provider must certify that the successful applicant is capable of carrying out the physical demands of the position
ProfessionalCouncil recognises the importance of the employee maintaining an

Development:adequate level of skill and will allow for appropriate training opportunities.

Benefits of working with the City of Ballarat

Working at the City of Ballarat, you will be rewarded with flexible working arrangements, work/life balance, an attractive salary, study assistance programs, discounted gym memberships and an encouraging and supportive work environment.

As the Council provides a diverse range of services to the Ballarat community, employment opportunities can vary from Administration, Engineering, Planning, Home Care and Management with the majority of staff working on a full-time basis and the remainder part-time and casual.

  • Salary Sacrifice
  • Study Leave
  • Wellness Program including discounted gym membership
  • Dry Cleaning Services
  • Payment of rates through payroll deduction if you are a ratepayer
  • 10% discount of purchases from the Art Gallery of Ballarat Gift Shop

Family Friendly and Flexible Working Arrangements

  • 13 weeks Paid Maternity Leave
  • 2 weeks Paid Paternity leave
  • 48/52 arrangements
  • Job sharing
  • Baby feeding facilities

24 Hours Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

  • Converge International is the Council’s preferred EAP supplier
  • Designed to help employees deal with any work-related or personal problems
  • Confidential

Professional Development

  • Committed to developing its people by strategically identifying, developing and evaluating learning opportunities
  • Access to learning opportunities will be non-discriminatory, based on corporate, team and individual needs and developments
Position Description

POSITIONFamily Day Care Education and Resource Officer

POSITION NUMBER1433

CLASSIFICATIONBand 5

AWARDBallarat City Council Enterprise Agreement, No. 5, 2010

DIVISIONPeople and Communities

BUSINESS UNITFamily and Children’s Services

APPROVING MANAGERManager Family & Children’s Services

  1. ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

As a result of population growth across Australia, Ballarat is now one of the largest inland regional cities in the country. Ballarat is uniquely located with easy access to Melbourne, Geelong and Bendigo and is the Western Victorian capital for a region of 400,000 people.

The Family and Children’s Services Unit belongs within the People and Communities Division of the City of Ballarat. The unit is responsible for the provision of services that are responsive to the needs of Ballarat families with young children. The services currently provided by the Family and Children’s Services unit include Long Day Care, Occasional Childcare, Family Day Care, Maternal and Child Health and Immunisation Services.

From a Health and Safety perspective the City of Ballarat requires the following:

  • Follow City of Ballarat policies and procedures.
  • Report hazards and other unsafe practices.
  • Report injuries as soon as possible to your Manager/Supervisor.
  • Participate constructively in all forums set up to investigate, improve or communicate safety.
  1. POSITION OBJECTIVES
  • To promote the provision of a quality Family Day Care Service through the support of Educators and families by undertaking home and safety assessments.
  • To provide high quality care for families using the service, according to the philosophies and goals of the service and the National Quality Standards.
  • The position will provide Educators with specialist knowledge, advice and support in the day-to-day provision of home-based child care.
  1. KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS
  • To develop, educate and support educators through regular home visits.
  • To ensure that the physical, emotional, social and cognitive needs of the children in care are being met.
  • To ensure that the child’s individual needs are met through the provision of developmentally appropriate experiences.
  • To ensure that hygiene and nutrition standards are adhered to.
  • To ensure that National Regulations, Quality Standards and Frameworks are adhered to.
  • To assist with the planning and development of a professional development program for Educators.
  • To maintain records of all communications (home visits/telephone calls/written) concerning families and educators.
  • To attend all relevant internal and external meetings as required.
  • To assist in orientation, evaluation and on-going professional development of educators.

Occupational Health & Safety

  • Perform duties in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, Regulations, Codes of Practice and Council policy and procedures.
  • Refer and abide by Council policies and procedures for risk management.
  • Monitor occupational health and safety/risk management within area of responsibility.
  • Actively participate in the development and implementation of hazard/risk elimination or minimisation strategies.
  • Immediately report any accidents/risks and hazards to relevant manager and take appropriate action.
  • Participate in workplace inspections, audits and risk assessments.
  • Wear PPE and follow safe work procedures as directed.
  • Constructively participate in monthly team meetings.
  • Emergency management work is a core business for council. Employees may be required to contribute to emergency management activities as they arise.
  1. ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to:Manager Child Care Services

Supervises:Family Day Care Educators

Internal Liaisons:Manager Family & Children’s Services

Coordinators

Other relevant services as required

Council Employees

External Liaisons:Service agencies

Client families

Students / Volunteers

5.ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXTENT OF AUTHORITY

  • Responsible for monitoring Educators to adhere to quality practices as outlined in National Quality Standards.
  • Responsible for development, education and support of Educators.

6.JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING

  • Demonstrated use of initiative to achieve specific objectives efficiently and objectively.
  • Proven ability to deal with sensitive and complex issues in a confidential manner.
  1. SPECIALIST SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
  • Knowledge of the National Regulations 2012.
  • Knowledge of Victorian & National Early Years Development Framework.
  • Sound knowledge of Family Day Care policies and procedures.
  • An understanding of the relevant technology, procedures and processes used.

8. MANAGEMENT SKILLS

  • Demonstrated skills in managing time and planning and organising one’s own work.
  • Ability to work as part of a team and independently in the field.

9. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

  • Proven ability to gain co-operation and assistance from educators.
  • Demonstrated skills in written communication to enable the preparation of routine correspondence and reports if required.
  • To contribute to a positive sense of teamwork through effective communication with

educators and all staff.

10. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

  • Diploma in Children’s Services
  • Experience in home based child care is desirable
  • Current police check
  • Current Working with Children Check
  • Current First Aid
  • Current Driver’s License

11. SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential
  • Diploma in Children’s Services.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop cooperative and collaborative working relationships with all stakeholders including staff and families.
  • Thorough knowledge and understanding of early childhood development and an ability to impart knowledge and skills.
  • Demonstrated commitment to facilitating and supporting change and innovation.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills.
  • Thorough understanding of National Regulations and Early Years Frameworks.
  • Knowledge and understanding of health and safety issues relevant to work activities and work area.
Desirable
  • Experience in supporting and directing staff.

How to Apply

These notes are provided to assist you in the preparation of your application and to help the selection panel judge your application.

Application Cover Sheet

Please ensure you complete the ‘Application Cover Sheet’ and include in your application. The personal information collected on this form will be used solely by the Council for that primary purpose for which it was collected or a purpose the person would reasonably expect. If this information is not collected your application will not be processed. The applicant understands that the personal information provided is for recruitment purposes and that he or she may apply to the Council for access to and/or amendment of the information.

Addressing Key Selection Criteria

The Key Selection Criteria are listed in the Position Description. Each criterion must be addressed and it is essential that the information you provide is clear, concise and most importantly relevant, so that the selection panel can readily assess your application for the above position. It is up to you to demonstrate that you understand the requirements of the position and that you have the necessary knowledge, experience and qualifications to successfully carry out the duties of the position. It must be noted that it is not practical to interview all applicants and therefore only those who best meet the requirements will be short-listed for interview.

Applications

  • Ensure that you have read the position description and understand the requirements of the position
  • Your application should include;
  • Application Cover Sheet
  • A covering letter
  • A document addressing the key selection criteria
  • A current resume

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality and are to be submitted by email to: .

Alternatively, you may post your application to;

“Private and Confidential”

Human Resources

City of Ballarat

PO Box 655

BALLARAT VIC 3353

Please do not hand - deliver your applications.Please use a paperclip to secure all documents;do not staple your application or enclose your application in a folder.

Applications close:Friday,23 August, 2013 at 5.00pm

Please Note: Late Applications cannot be accepted.

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