Position Description:
The Defence Transition Men
The Defence Transition Mentor is appointed by the Principal and is responsible in the first instance to the Assistant Principal - Pastoral and ultimately the College Principal. The role holder will work collaboratively as part of a team including the College’s Pastoral Team, the College Leadership Team and the Defence Community Organization’s Regional Education Liaison Officer and will reflect the Edmund Rice Education philosophies of social justice, equity, participation and respect for the dignity of the person in partnership with all members of Ignatius Park College Community.
The Defence Transition Mentor will facilitate the best possible educational outcomes for children of the Australian Defence Force members through onsite, direct and flexible assistance to children, parents and teachers. This will involve providing information and support and develop a range of activities for the students to ease the impact of mobility and service related parental absence.
Key Accountabilities:
The Defence Transition Mentor will assist the Deputy Principal - Pastoral and the Pastoral Team by:
1. Assisting young people from Australian Defence Force families to integrate into the College community
2. Encouraging students to be involved in cultural, sporting, academic and personal development programmes
3. Raising awareness in the College community of Defence issues relating to students, such as parental absence and activities resulting from service requirements
Duties, Skills and Abilities associated with the Position:
The Defence Transition Mentor provides assistance to ADF children and their families. This may include:
· Work collaboratively with the College Pastoral Team in carrying out their duties.
· Support and assist young people from ADF families to integrate into the school community.
· Create a greater and ongoing awareness within the school community of the needs of young people from ADF families.
· Work with individuals, groups, families and stakeholders to develop, implement and evaluate relevant programs.
· Promote the participation of young people from ADF families in school and community activities.
· Provide advocacy and negotiation support for these young people as required.
· Provide them with information and appropriate referral to support services.
· Develop resources and programs to support young people from ADF families
· Proactively contribute to the school team adhering to school policies and priorities.
· Refrain from any behaviours that may impinge negatively upon a person’s dignity, morale or work effectiveness, be respectful and tolerant and engender fairness and respect in relationships with other staff, students, parents and members of the public;
· Maintain privacy of confidential information obtained in the course of performing duties of the role;
· The Defence Transition Mentor is not permitted to make statements in relation to the College or EREA to the media or other publicly available information sources.
It is expected that the successful applicant will be able to demonstrate the following attributes:
· Initiative and leadership qualities,
· Ability to work independently,
· Ability to work as part of a team,
· Display an inclusive approach to working with young people.
The Defence Transition Mentor is not a teacher nor counsellor nor is it intended that the Defence Transition Mentor work with one student on a long term basis.
Additional Information:
1. This is a Part-Time Term-Time contract position. Rate of Pay will be based on the School Officers Award – Level 5).
2. The Annual Leave Entitlement is four weeks pro rata annual leave per year with a 17.5% loading, (leave is pro rata relative to a full-time position working 76 hours per fortnight for 52 weeks per year.) A probationary period of 6 months is also dependent upon effective performance in the role.
3. Confirmation of employment is conditional upon the preferred applicant being issued with a Positive Notice Blue Card for Child Related Employment from the Commission for Children and Young People.
4. A non-smoking policy is effective in College buildings, offices and motor vehicles.
5. The appointee to this position will be required to complete a six-month period of probation.
6. All employees are accountable for complying with WH&S and Environmental policies and identifying, assessing and controlling workplace and environmental hazards in their area of responsibility.
Selection Criteria:
Your application for this position should specifically address each of the selection criteria listed below and the Role Description attached. Short listing and selection will be based upon responses to these selection criteria.
SC 1 Demonstrated ability to empathise and work with young people.
SC 2 Appropriate qualifications and/or demonstrated relevant experience.
SC 3 Demonstrated high level of communication skills both oral and written and the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of people e.g. students, school principal, school staff, parents, ADF Members and their families.
SC 4 Ability to liaise with a range of individuals and community groups and work in a team environment. Demonstrated skills in advocacy and negotiations including problem solving and conflict resolution are essential.
SC 5 Demonstrated ability to organise own work, set priorities, meet deadlines, work independently and as a team member, and maintain confidentiality.
SC 6 Ability to plan, organise, evaluate and deliver innovative and creative programs, resources and activities relating to mobile families, students and the school community.
Last Revised: 10 July 2015