POSITION TITLE:
Early Childhood Teacher
Leopold Integrated Children’s Centre
POSITION NUMBER:
2533
CLASSIFICATION/BAND:
Local Government Early Childhood Education
Employees’ Agreement 2009
$55,296 to $83,851, plus super
STATUS:
Permanent full-time position
DIVISION:
Community Services
DEPARTMENT:
Family Services
APPROVED BY:
Rebecca Benson
DATE APPROVED:
September 2015
POSITION OBJECTIVE:
Plan, implement and evaluate a high quality innovative and culturally responsive educational
program that supports a holistic, family-centred approach to the education and development of
preschool age children.
Provide pedagogical leadership and mentoring to educators at the service.
Work collaboratively with all staff at the centre to ensure that an integrated, child-centred service is
provided to children and their families.
THE CITY OF GREATER GEELONG:
The City of Greater Geelong is one of the largest local government areas in Victoria. The City
provides 129 services to the municipality which has a population of around 225,000. The City has
an annual budget of $402 million and employs over 2600 staff. It also utilises a large number of
volunteers. The organisation has five divisions: Community Services; Strategy and Performance;
Planning and Tourism; City Services, Projects, Recreation & Central Geelong.
The city of Greater Geelong has a large and increasing population of young children with over
13,000 children aged 0-4 years and over 10,000 children aged between 5-8 years. There are over
400 local services for young children and families located within the municipality.
Geelong:
Located 75 kilometres from Melbourne, Geelong is Victoria’s second largest city and is renowned
for its stunning north facing waterfront which overlooks Corio Bay. Geelong is a vibrant
cosmopolitan city with a relaxed coastal flavour. It is recognised as offering one of the best
lifestyles in Australia. Geelong has all the modern amenities of larger cities, combined with a clean
and healthy environment.
Just minutes away from the city centre are kilometres of pristine beaches, charming seaside
townships and unspoilt rural hinterland.
Geelong is also the gateway to the famous Great Ocean Road and some of the best surf beaches
in the world.
The City offers excellent educational opportunities. Geelong Grammar, Geelong College, The
Gordon and Deakin University are just some of the schools and tertiary institutions in the region.
ORGANISATION ENVIRONMENT:
Geelong is among the largest of 79 Councils which collectively represent approximately 5 million
Victorians. While each Council is independent, there are common rules, mainly in the form of
State Legislation, which provide the framework in which Councils operate.
Our Vision:
Geelong: building our community through enterprise, opportunity and innovation in a quality
environment.
Our Mission:
We will focus on developing and maintaining effective working relationships to deliver Council's
strategic directions and high quality services that meet the changing needs of our community.
Values and Behaviours:
Values form the basis of our behaviour; they add meaning to work and they provide a basis for
consistent planning and decision making across the organisation. The City of Greater Geelong
aims to foster a culture that embraces the organisation values being Integrity, Responsibility,
Innovation and Respect. All employees should demonstrate the behaviours that come from
these values when carrying out their work.
INTEGRATED CHILDREN’S CENTRES
The City of Greater Geelong has expressed its commitment to the development of ‘integrated
service delivery’ for children within its Municipal Early Years Plan 2013-2017: A Place for Us. The
Plan highlights the importance of integrated service delivery for improving outcomes for young
children and their families through professionals and services ‘working together’ to promote more
efficient, accessible and responsive service delivery for families with young children. Similarly, the
Municipal Children’s Services Infrastructure Plan 2013-2030, outlines the Council’s commitment to
the development of integrated early years services within community-based centres, where
possible and practicable.
The Boorai Centre Ocean Grove opened in January 2014 as the first integrated children’s centre
within the City of Greater Geelong. In 2015, four additional centres opened across the municipality
in Leopold, Grovedale, Barwon Heads and Norlane. Each centre brings together, within an
integrated practice model, a range of education, health, support and community services for
children, including education and care (long day care, occasional care and kindergarten services),
maternal and child health, parenting support, family support, allied health, early intervention and
other specialist support services.
ORGANISATION RELATIONSHIP:
This position is part of the Community Services Division which comprises the following
Departments:
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Family Services
Community Development
Arts and Culture
Health and Local Laws
Aged and Disability Services
Reports To:
Centre Manager/Early Childhood Services Manager/Early Childhood
Centre Manager
Directly Manages:
Students, Volunteers
Internal Liaisons:
Centre-based staff, Family Services staff
External Liaisons:
Children and families using the centre, local community agencies, primary
schools, early intervention and disability support services, community
members
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Develop, implement and evaluate a high quality, culturally responsive education program for
children that reflects individual children, family and community needs and complies with the
centre’s philosophy, the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework,
Education and Care Services National Law, Education and Care Services Regulations and
National Quality Standards.
2. Effectively support children to develop their social, emotional, cognitive, language, cultural,
fine-motor and gross-motor competencies.
3. Ensure that the education program being delivered is informed by a sound curriculum
approach, up-to-date research and a relevant theoretical model.
4. Establish a holistic service model that enhances the development and well-being of children,
including liaising with relevant support and professional services, facilitating family
engagement, and delivering an innovative education program that responds to the specific
needs of local children and the community.
5. Ensure a safe and stimulating learning environment exists for all children and that the health
and well being of each child is a priority.
6. Ensure supervision of children is active, adequate and efficient at all times and implement and
maintain clear expectations for children when establishing limits for appropriate behaviour.
7. Maintain detailed developmental observations and records for each child to be used as a basis
for assessment, planning and evaluation, in line with the EYLF learning outcomes and practice
principles.
8. Provide access for the inclusion and support of children with additional needs, from diverse
cultural backgrounds and/or with vulnerabilities, liaising with relevant professionals in relation
to the planning and implementation of appropriate learning and support plans.
9. Coordinate and participate in multi-disciplinary clinical and planning meetings for centre-based
staff, building a culture of collaborative, integrated practice within the centre.
10. Mentor and support educators and students in relation to curriculum approaches, planning
processes and the identified needs of individual children and their families.
11. Assist in the establishment and review of daily procedures, policies, objectives and
philosophies for the centre.
12. Assist centre management with data collection, financial reporting and other administrative
tasks as required.
13. Develop collaborative relationships with professionals in early childhood services, local
schools and other relevant community organisations and stakeholder groups.
14. Develop and maintain knowledge of early childhood, family and education services that are
available to the local community.
15. Participate in community consultations, network development, and program activities that
encourage and facilitate child and family participation in the local community.
16. Maintain professional knowledge, resources and skills through in-service education, sharing
ideas and professional reading.
17. Maintain necessary qualifications essential for the role.
18. Adhere to all Council’s policies and procedures as relevant to this position.
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:
Essential:
1. Tertiary qualifications (Bachelor of Early Childhood Education or equivalent).
2. Experience in providing high quality education programs to pre-school children.
3. Sound knowledge of the development and needs of children in the 0-6 years age group and
proven ability to plan appropriate education programs that deliver outcomes for children as
articulated in the Early Years Learning and Development Frameworks.
4. Sound understanding of the principles of integrated service delivery.
5. Demonstrated flexibility, innovation, and ability to work with a range of professionals from
diverse disciplines.
6. Ability to identify, develop and maintain relationships with key internal and external
stakeholders.
7. Sound understanding of vulnerability and risk indicators for young children, within the context of
their family, culture and community, as well as an ability to undertake appropriate action in
response to the needs of vulnerable or at risk children.
8. Proven ability to establish, promote and develop open strong relationships with children, staff,
parents and the community.
9. Knowledge of current research and theory that supports the delivery of high quality early
childhood education.
10. Ability to ensure confidentiality, professionalism and discretion is maintained.
11. Ability to plan and efficiently organise time and prioritise tasks and undertake service
administration.
12. Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills.
13. Current National Police Check and Working with Children Check.
14. Current Victorian Driver’s Licence.
15. All candidates should display integrity, responsibility, respect for others and the ability to be
innovative.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXTENT OF AUTHORITY:
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Responsible for the effective planning, implementation and evaluation of a high quality
education program for children within the centre, that is based upon relevant frameworks,
curriculum approaches, planning models and research.
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Responsible for informing centre management of any emerging needs for families, as well as
of any service difficulties and opportunities encountered in carrying out the role.
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Be responsible for keeping comprehensive records for as required by the Centre, Council or
regulatory bodies.
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Responsible for ensuring that the centre’s building, grounds and equipment are maintained to
a high standard of hygiene, safety, cleanliness and repair and that any maintenance or safety
related issues are reported in a timely manner in accordance with OHS regulations.
JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING:
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Ability to work under limited supervision and use professional knowledge and experience in
making decisions and assessments.
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Ability to provide input into the development and implementation of the Quality Improvement
Plan for the centre.
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Ability to make decisions in relation to children’s learning, development, well-being and safety.
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Ability to identify and respond to health and safety and other operational issues, bringing
relevant issues to the attention of centre management.
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Ability to utilise professional networks to enhance service delivery.
SPECIALIST SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
 Sound knowledge of the development and needs of children in the 0-6 years age group, within
the context of their culture and community.
 Proven ability to plan appropriate education programs in line with the Victorian Early Years
Learning and Development Framework.
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Understanding of the National Early Childhood Quality Framework and the Education and
Care Services National Law Act 2010.
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Proven ability to establish, promote and develop positive relationships with children, families,
staff and community members.
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Sound understanding of the principles of integrated service delivery.
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Sound understanding of vulnerability and risk indicators for young children, within the context
of their family, culture and community, as well as an ability to undertake appropriate action in
response to the needs of vulnerable or at risk children.
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An understanding of the needs of the local community.
MANAGEMENT SKILLS:
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Ability to manage workload, including set priorities and deliver requisite outcomes in a timely
manner.
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Strong administrative and organisational skills.
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Capacity to successfully meet agreed performance targets and reporting measures.
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Ability to work with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
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Ability to manage change and be innovative.
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Ability to mentor and support educators and students in relation to the delivery of quality
education programs to children
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:
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Ability to demonstrate the organisational Values and Behaviours and represent Council in a
positive and professional manner.
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Ability to demonstrate enthusiasm, self-motivation and innovation within self and in the staff
team.
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Demonstrated ability to be flexible, responsive to a range of situations and to show initiative
and creativity.
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Ability to employ effective negotiation and conflict resolution skills to resolve issues with
families and staff.
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High level communication skills including oral and written skills.
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Ability to contribute to and work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
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Ability to work effectively with community groups, organisations and peak networks.
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Demonstrate integrity, responsibility, respect and innovation in all aspects of the position.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
In addition to those listed in the key selection criteria.
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Tertiary qualifications (Bachelor of Early Childhood Education or equivalent)
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Experience in providing high quality education programs to pre-school children.
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Current Victorian Driver’s Licence.
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Current Working with Children Check.
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Current Police check (must be less than 6 months form date of issue).
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Current Level 2 First Aid.
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Current Management of Anaphylaxis, Asthma and CPR.
SPECIFIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:
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A pre-employment medical examination may be required.
Participate, where required, in the reporting of health, safety and wellbeing issues.
Long / short distance travel between sites as necessary.
Dealing with difficult clients and situations.
Manual handling tasks may be involved.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
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Employment is subject to the presentation of documentary evidence of the right to work in
Australia.
A National Police Records and Working with Children’s check may be required throughout
your employment with Council.
Current Victorian Drivers Licence is essential where the need to drive a Council vehicle is
required.
This position requires work outside normal rostered hours from time to time, subject to the
conditions of Council’s EBA.
RISK MANAGEMENT, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND CHARTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS:
Observe policies and procedures to minimise injury and damage to assets and property.
Adhere to Council’s OH&S, equal opportunity and risk management policies, as well as act in
accordance with the Charter of Human Rights.
Ensure behaviour in the workplace does not discriminate, bully or harass others.
Take reasonable care of self and others who may be affected by your actions.
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:
Employment may be subject to a three-month probationary period (please note that following
consultation, this period may be extended by up to a further three months).
Internal candidates may be subject to a three-month trial period.
Conditions of employment are as per your contract of employment.
The City of Greater Geelong is an Equal Opportunity Employer and has a no smoking in the
workplace practise and is also committed to Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) in the
workplace and therefore all employees adherence to all OH&S Policies and Procedures is
mandatory.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications for this position close at 5:00pm Friday 25 September 2015 and should be submitted
through the on-line facility at www.geelongaustralia.com.au (for internal candidates, please refer to
CityWeb).
Should you not have access to the on-line facility,
applications may be directed to:
Recruitment Administration Officer
Organisation Development Department
City of Greater Geelong
PO Box 104
GEELONG VIC 3220
Phone:
5272 4273
Fax:
5272 4292
For details on the recruitment process
If you require further information regarding this position, please contact:
Monica Sifionis, Centre Manager on 5272 5555.
Privacy Statement
Making an application for this position requires that you consent to the collection, use, storage and destruction of
personal information, including details of your referees. This information will assist us to select the best applicant for the
vacant position.
At all times during the recruitment and selection process, personal data will be treated in a highly confidential manner.
Documents will only be available to members of the selection committee for the purposes of selecting the best person
for the position.
All unsuccessful applicants’ documentation will be destroyed three months after the end of the recruitment process.
Please do not send originals of documentation with your application, as they will be destroyed.
In addition the applicant understands that they may apply to Council for access and/or amendment of the information.
Successful applicant details become employment-related information and will be placed on the successful applicant’s
Personal File. The City of Greater Geelong may release this personal information to third parties such as Vision Super
Fund Pty Ltd., Victorian Workcover and Centrelink for employment related purposes.