We are seeking to establish a pool of Education Assistant - Special Needs for permanent and fixed term, full-time and part-time vacancies which may arise during the 2025 school year. Appointments may be offered at any time for vacancies that commence during this period.
Our beautiful 100-year-old school stands on the bank of the Avon River and has a proud and rich history of providing a comprehensive curriculum to students in Years 7 to 12 from the Northam and surrounding Wheatbelt towns. At Northam Senior High School, we build a positive, honest and connected relationships to ensure that our students can contribute to their current and future communities. Our vision is 'A Community United' which we achieve through our four values: Courage, Collaboration, Connection and Communication.
With over 650 students, we are the largest school in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. Northam SHS is a school where everyone matters and where our students all want to leave the school with clear pathways and opportunities for success.
Find out more about our school by visiting www.northamshs.wa.edu.au or Schools Online
The Location and Community
Located in the heart of the picturesque Avon Valley, Northam is home to a diverse range of tourist and heritage attractions, including hot air ballooning, cultural experiences, wildflowers, tours & trails, historic buildings, horse racing, and much, much more. The Avon River flows through the town and has an abundance of bird life, including the unique white swan. Spanning the river next to the Visitor Centre is the pedestrian suspension bridge, which is the longest of its kind in Australia.
For more information about Northam visit Shire of Northam
The Role
As a Special Needs Education Assistant, you will, under teacher direction, assist with the implementation and delivery of specialised education programs. Suitable applicants will ideally have professional knowledge and experience in supporting students with a range of disabilities including Intellectual Disability, Physical Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mental Health Disorders. You will assist with implementing individual student or small group programs/demonstrations. Additionally, you may also be required to provide feedback on education and therapy programs and participate in the evaluation process relating to the achievement of goals in IEPs or Behaviour Support Plans. Experience of supporting students with a Disability in a mainstream setting with ASDAN, ABLEWA, Assistive Technology Devices, Protective Behaviours, Social Skills, Life Skills and Direct Instruction will be highly regarded.
Suitable applicants will ideally have well developed interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with staff to create and maintain a supportive, inclusive education program to meet the specific needs of the students. They should be organised and able to use initiative to assist the teacher with the general care and well-being of students and maintenance of the learning environment. It is desirable for applicants to have knowledge of, or experience in, working with students with special needs in a mainstream environment.
Want to know more?
Full details of the role, selection criteria and training requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Kirsty Sloan, Learning Support Coordinator on 08 9621 6300 or emailing kirsty.sloan@education.wa.edu.au
Equity and Diversity
We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our schools and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Explore our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 for more details.
Eligibility
To work with us, you must:
- be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.
- obtain a valid Working With Children Check before you start; and
- consent to a National Criminal History Check with the Department's Screening Unit.
Additional eligibility and training requirements are outlined in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).
Application Instructions
Apply online in two easy steps:
Step 1: Select Apply for Job
Complete the online application form, including details of two (2) work related referees, preferably one being your current line manager.
Step 2: Attach your documents
- A CV of up to three (3) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position
- A three (3) page statement addressing the following selection criteria as outlined in the attached JDF
- Demonstrated good written and oral communication skills, including the ability to interact with students with special needs, parents and teaching professionals on the provision of educational programs, and to assist teachers in understanding students where necessary.
- Demonstrated good interpersonal skills, including the ability to work as part of a team in the evaluation of educational programs, including special education and therapy programs where these have been implemented.
- Demonstrated good organisational skills that will assist in the delivery and development of effective education programs to students and subsequent feedback to teaching professionals or psychologists.
- Demonstrated ability to assist teachers or therapists in implementing educational programs, including special education and, should this be a requirement of the position, occupational and/or physiotherapy programs.
- Demonstrated knowledge of health and physical disabilities in students and adolescents.
- Demonstrated ability to assist with general health and well-being of students.
It is recommended you have your attachments ready before selecting Apply for Job.
Your application must be received before the closing date and time. Late applications will not be accepted.
For technical support submitting your application, you can call the Department of Education’s Recruitment team on (08) 9264 4127 for assistance.
Advertised Vacancy Number: IPS/SS929988
The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.
Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Thursday, 28 November 2024
