Education Officer

Posted: 17/09/2024- Closing Date: 06/10/2024- Job Type: Permanent - Full Time- Location: Newcastle West- Job Category: Education, Childcare & TrainingThe Catholic Schools Office (CSO) is seeking a Permanent Full time Education Officer - Secondary Religious Education and Spirituality to join the team in 2025.

The Catholic Schools Office is responsible for the leadership, operation, and management of systemic schools within the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. We educate over 21,000 students across 44 primary schools, 11 secondary schools, one K-12 school, one flexible learning centre, and one special school. Our mission is to provide high-quality education grounded in Catholic values and traditions.

The CSO Education Officer - Secondary Religious Education and Spirituality will provide leadership and support in the understanding and implementation of the Religious Education curriculum K-12. The primary purpose of this role is to:

- build capacity of Leaders of Learning Religious Education (LOLRE) and secondary Religious Education (RE) teachers to provide high quality support that leads to the effective implementation of the RE Curriculum K-12;
- support schools in the development of quality assessment and resources to support the RE Curriculum K-12;
- develop, implement and monitor RE professional learning experiences for LOLREs and RE teachers;
- collaborate within and across the Religious Education and Spirituality Services (RE&S) team to provide expert advice in the RE curriculum and Pedagogy of Encounter (POE).

**Desired Skills and Experience**:
**EXPERIENCE/CRITERIA**
- Practising Catholic active in the life of a Eucharistic community, with an understanding of their baptismal call to share and witness the good news of Jesus Christ.
- Ability to articulate a clear understanding of and a personal commitment to Catholic education and the mission of the Church through Catholic schools.
- A sound understanding of the nature and purpose of Religious Education in a Secondary school context.
- A background in secondary Catholic school education with a sound understanding of the new diocesan K-10 RE curriculum and the Pedagogy of Encounter (POE).
- Sound knowledge of inquiry-based learning in Religious Education.
- Experience in the teaching of Secondary RE (7-12).
- A demonstrated capacity to lead and mentor staff in the teaching of RE.
- A sound knowledge and understanding of Religious Education curriculum and assessment in Stage 6.
- Competency in facilitation, professional learning, interpersonal and communication skills.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively as part of an innovative and dynamic team.
- A willingness to undertake travel as required.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- Qualifications as a four-year trained teacher.
- Active NESA Accreditation.
- Active AWTL Accreditation Category E.
- Postgraduate qualification in Religious Education or Theological Studies.
- Current paid NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) number.
- Completion of anaphylaxis training.

**CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT**

Salary is in accordance with Catholic Schools Office, Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle Employees Enterprise Agreement 2019.

**BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH US**
- Work in quality schools where students are nurtured, challenged and encouraged to excel and grow
- A corporate fitness program through Fitness Passport
- Employee assistance program (EAP)
- Training and staff development programs
- Paid parental leave for eligible employees
- Access to long service leave after just five years for eligible employees.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION**

**TO APPLY**
- Please provide a cover letter along with your resume
- Within your cover letter address each of the selection criteria as listed** **under EXPERIENCE/CRITERIA above and ensure your response to each criteria is no longer than 300 words.

**Applications close: Sunday 6th October 2024 at 11.59pm**

**_Additional information_**
- The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is a child safe organisation, committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable persons and has zero-tolerance of any abuse. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check and comply with our Safeguarding Framework Policy and Codes of Conduct._
- This position has been determined as child related and the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle will be verifying the successful applicant’s Working with Children Check for Paid Employment prior to commencing working in the position. For more information, please visit the NSW Office of Children’s Guardian._
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate an understanding of appropriate behaviours when engaging with children._