Advertised Vacancy Number: IPS/SS851546
Are you a passionate and talented Education Assistant – Special Needs who has demonstrated a strong commitment for improving the educational outcomes of students?
This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 1, 2024
This is a fantastic opportunity for a highly effective, dedicated, and enthusiastic Special Needs Education Assistant to provide classroom level support, to enable the delivery of high quality, student-focused learning programs. There will be two (2) permanent positions available for the start of 2024.
As Special Needs Education Assistant, you will form part of our dedicated team of staff working with students with a range of special needs and other mental health and developmental disabilities and/or disorders. In this role you will collaborate with the classroom teacher to assist in the planning and delivery of educational programs to support the learning and development of students. You will predominantly be working with students in our learning support pathway and mainstream classes.
The successful applicant will, under general guidance; identify, develop, and deliver specific intervention programs for students with special needs and should display the ability to effectively support the specific learning needs of individual adolescents with varying degrees of disability. The ability to work independently, and at times without supervision, and the ability to think on your feet and use your initiative to manage challenging behaviours, will be highly regarded. To ensure high quality outcomes for students, you should build positive, professional working relationships with students, staff, parents/carers, and stakeholders.
The successful applicant will ideally have strong interpersonal skills, high levels of personal organisation (including effective record keeping) and the capacity to ensure compliance with college and Department of Education policies and procedures, under the guidance of the Program Coordinator – Specialised Autism Learning Program and Manager Corporate Services.
Special Needs Education Assistants support the Department’s main objective of teaching and learning of students through assisting the teacher in delivering planned education programs and encouraging a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Discretion is exercised in monitoring and subsequently withdrawing assistance to allow the students to independently integrate into the learning environment. Employees at this level work under general supervision and guidance performing tasks that require discretion and judgement in achieving clearly defined outcomes, determined by the teacher. The successful applicant will ideally apply techniques, skills and knowledge of relevant principles and practices acquired through previous experience, on the job learning, or relevant qualification. You should be able to work as part of a team to improve outcomes for students.
We are seeking applicants that will ideally be highly motivated, energetic, enthusiastic, flexible, and reliable and have a sense of humour! You should ensure the learning environment is inclusive and relevant, appropriately resourced and maintained, with the health and safety of the students a high priority.
About Us
Located in the northern suburb of Alkimos with sweeping ocean views, Alkimos College opened in 2020 with our foundation Year 7 cohort of 176 students, providing local intake area students with access to an exceptional secondary education in world-class learning facilities. Each year we will add an additional cohort, until we reach our full complement of Year 7 -12 in 2025.
Stage 1 buildings include administration, student services, library, gymnasium, fitness centre, food studios, cafeteria, technologies, general classrooms, specialist science laboratories, nature play area and the Specialised Autism Program classroom and Homeroom. Shared oval and community facilities with the City of Wanneroo are available via the adjacent Halesworth Park precinct. Stage 2, (ready in 2024), will include a performing arts centre, lecture theatre, additional student services and general classrooms.
The college places a high priority on professional learning, with a focus on a whole of college instructional framework as part of our ‘Alkimos Approach.’ A commitment to self-reflection and growth is vital. The college uses a coaching framework for all planning, review, performance development and classroom observation and feedback. Staff are expected to embrace technology and innovation and enhance their skills with technology to improve work practices. The college provides students with a range of devices available to suit the learning required. This includes laptops, iPads, Macs, PCs.
Alkimos College has high expectations of the student cohort to ensure all students are well prepared for their future, and have the opportunities to develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to achieve their potential. This is complemented by a strong focus on student engagement and mental health and wellbeing, through our bespoke Anchor Program. Alkimos College has a Specialised Autism Learning Program, an academic extension pathway and in 2022 commenced the Gifted and Talented Academic Selective Entrance Program.
This selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy. Applicants assessed as suitable during this selection process may be considered for other similar vacancies that occur throughout our school for up to 12 months following this initial appointment. This includes circumstances where this position becomes subsequently vacant should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised position.
To be suitable for this role, you will need to demonstrate the following work related requirements (selection criteria):
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Knowledge of health and physical disabilities in students and adolescents.
- Ability to assist with general health and well-being of students.
Applications will be assessed against these work related (selection criteria) of the position. The business needs of the school may also be considered. It is therefore recommended that you consider all information contained in the advertisement and any other related information before applying for the vacancy.
The Department is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and persons from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply.
Further information about Alkimos College can be found by visiting alkimoscollege.wa.edu.au or Schools Online.
Additional information about Independent Public Schools is also available here
For further job related information:
Please contact Nancy McNally, Principal, by telephoning (08) 9561 7300 or emailing Nancy.McNally2@education.wa.edu.au
During the school holiday period, please contact Nancy McNally on 0416 078 550 or emailing Nancy.McNally2@education.wa.edu.au
Application Instructions
All applications are submitted online. Select “Apply for Job”, at either the top or bottom of this screen and follow the instructions on your screen.
Your application should include:
- A three (3) page statement addressing the Work Related Requirements (selection criteria), in context of the role and business needs of the school.
- A CV of up to three (3) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position.
- The contact details for two (2) work related referees who can attest to the claims made in your written application, preferably one being your current line manager.
It is recommended you have these documents completed and ready to attach before selecting “Apply for Job”.
You are asked to complete an online application form and attach your documentation, please allow enough time to complete this process as applications cannot be accepted after the closing date and time.
After you have submitted your application online, you will receive an email confirming lodgement. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please telephone (08) 9264 4127.
If you are having difficulty submitting your online application, please telephone (08) 9264 8666 for assistance.
ELIGIBILITY AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Employees will be required to:
- obtain a current Department of Education Criminal Record Clearance prior to commencement of employment.
- obtain or hold a current Working with Children Check.
- complete the Department’s induction program within 3 months of commencement.
- complete any training specific to this role required by Departmental policy.
- complete the Department’s training in Accountable and Ethical Decision-Making within 6 months of appointment.
- complete the Department’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness online course within 3 months of commencement.
- provide evidence of eligibility to work in Australia for the term of the vacancy.
The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.
Applications must be submitted before 4.30pm (WST) on Friday, 20 October 2023.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE
PROFORMA, FAXED, HAND DELIVERED, POSTED, EMAILED AND LATE APPLICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
