Job description
LOCATION PROFILE
“Our job is not to prepare students for something, it is our job to activate our students to prepare themselves for anything.”
Adapted from AJ Juliani.
Bundoora Secondary College (BSC) is a secondary college in a quiet residential area of Bundoora, a northern suburb of Melbourne. We are an innovative, caring school and take great pride in knowing every member of our community (both staff and students) as individuals and as learners. The school is set on a well-developed, picturesque site adjacent to Gresswell Forest. The spacious grounds include a variety of playing fields and as our school farm continues to develop, a range of animal paddocks, productive gardens and indigenous flora plots.
Students at BSC are not bound by the traditional year level classes. The school is broken into three cohorts – ENTRY (level 7), PACE21 (levels 8-11), and GRADUATES (final year of study). Our broad pathways focus and vertical curriculum supports student’s choice and provides flexibility across our learning program, ensuring that all students can engage in their learning at their point of interest and be challenged at their point of need.
BSC is currently experiencing a period of strong growth and we require staff who are flexible and generalist in their philosophy and thinking. We are a diverse and inclusive community and live by our school values – Respect, Responsibility, Resilience, Relationships and Rigour (the 5 Rs). BSC is a Child Safe school and expects all employees to be cognisant of the expectations upon them to contribute positively to our child safe environment.
ROLE
The BSC Urban Agriculture & Environment Program Manager will provide high quality and professional customer service to the college and will maintain the college’s farm, gardens, grounds and equipment to an agreed standard that provides a safe and secure environment for the school community.
This full-time position (1.0 EFT) may require some duties to be performed at times other than during the school day or when students are in attendance. Hours of work will be negotiated with the successful applicant upon appointment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The BSC Urban Agriculture & Environment Program Manager’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Assisting with school improvements such as, landscaping, fencing, paving, establishing gardens, building retaining walls, etc.
- Maintaining grounds, gardens, and garden equipment, including, mowing/slashing, watering, weeding, planting, pruning and sweeping/blowing paved areas.
- Contributing to the maintenance of a safe and healthy workplace by reporting accidents and hazards, and addressing risks.
- Contributing to the sense of ‘school pride’ by helping to ensure that the college and it’s grounds and gardens remain litter free.
- Ensuring that environmental sustainability is practised.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The BSC Urban Agriculture & Environment Program Manager
- Reports directly to the Assistant Principal.
- Works collaboratively with the BSC Maintenance Manager and teaching staff within the program.
- Provides support and advice to other staff as required.
- Liaises with external agencies and providers as required.
EXPERIENCE/SKILLS
It is expected that the BSC Urban Agriculture & Environment Program Manager will possess the following experience/skills:
- Qualified or experienced gardener/horticulturist or relevant experience (e.g. farming background).
- Experience with animals (e.g. goats, chickens) essential, as are backyard construction skills (e.g. fence building, animal enclosure building).
- Previous experience working in a school environment, or working with youth, is desirable but not required.
- A current Working with Children Check.
- A current driver’s licence.
- Comprehensive experience with power and garden tools.
- Strong commitment to the principles and practices of OH&S.
- Strong teamwork and communication skills, demonstrated by a rapport with all levels of the organisation, including young adults.
- High level of organisational and time management skills with an ability to manage and prioritise a number of concurrent tasks whilst meeting deadlines.
- Basic computer and literacy skills, with a working knowledge of computer programs including Word, Excel and Outlook etc.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
It is expected that the BSC Urban Agriculture & Environment Program Manager will be safety conscious, professional, team-orientated, flexible, reliable, helpful and approachable, patient, and someone who takes pride in their work and environment.
Ideally the succesful applicant will love sharing their knowledge and skills, and have the flexibility and patience to work alongside teenagers, helping them to take part in school improvement projects.
SELECTION CRITERIA
- SC1 Demonstrated ability to work independently and efficiently when completing tasks.
- SC2 Demonstrated ability to work and communicate as part of a team and regularly liaise with contractors on the school site.
- SC3 Possess the knowledge, expertise, and passion relevant to the position.
- SC4 Demonstrated ability to identify and assess potential risks, provide advice and support to management, and work within OHS policy and guidelines.
- SC5 Demonstrated ability to work with and guide young adults.
WHO MAY APPLY
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfil the specific requirements of the position.
EEO AND OHS COMMITMENT
Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.
The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms – gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected]
CHILD SAFE STANDARDS
Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department’s exemplar available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION VALUES
The department’s employees commit to upholding the department’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department’s Values complement each school’s own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
- Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
- A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
- Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department’s Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx
other information
Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact:
Brian Daniells, Assistant Principal, Bundoora Secondary College for further details
[email protected] using the subject line: Urban Agriculture and Environment Program Manager enquiry via EthicalJobs
Phone: 03 9467 1511
To Apply
To apply for this position, please click “Apply Now”.
Search for Job Opening Number 1410753 – Urban Agriculture and Environment Program Manager. You will be required to login / create an account.
Please include your CV and response to the Selection Criteria in your application.