Aboriginal Services Engagement Officer

**Department for Education**

**Job reference**: 498525

**Location**: 5554 - KADINA

**Job status**: Ongoing

**Eligibility**: Open to Everyone

**Why work with us**

We’re building a public education system which is genuinely recognised as world-class - where every preschool and school is great and where there is growth for every child and student.

We are one team, statewide. Everyone in public education works together, united behind our vision because what we're doing today will improve the futures of children in South Australia.

We’re making a difference so South Australia thrives.

**About this role**

The Aboriginal Education Directorate provides strategic cultural and policy advice on national and state policy direction in relation to Aboriginal education and contributes to the implementation of the Department’s Aboriginal Education Strategy.

The Aboriginal Services Engagement Officer will work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders to provide advice in the implementation of strategies identified in the Department of Education’s Aboriginal Strategy that support the attendance, social and emotional wellbeing, and engagement and participation in learning of Aboriginal children, young people and their families/carers.

**What you will do (key outcomes)**
- Actively contribute to a range of partnership approaches with schools, preschools, and Student Support Services to implement proactive school and community education initiatives that support inclusion, learner engagement and achievement, social and emotional wellbeing, and participation of Aboriginal children, young people and their families/carers and communities to engage in learning.
- Provide advice to site-based officers, leaders, and mentors to facilitate prompt and effective intervention and communication where there is a pattern of non-attendance.
- Ensure Aboriginal students have fair and equitable access to appropriate services and support to meet their specific needs as identified by their one plan through developing parent, family, and community capacity to contribute to improved learning and wellbeing by working together with families/carers to develop an attendance strategy that includes targets for improved attendance.
- Participate in case conferencing and liaising with government and non-government service providers to support early intervention with Aboriginal children and young people, and for students referred to Student Support Services.
- Contribute to evaluating and reporting on the effect and impact on outcomes, programs and service delivery to respond Aboriginal children and young people.
- Coordinate work in a team environment to negotiate resolution of issues and concerns and provide initiatives specifically for Aboriginal children and young people.
- Display advocacy and commitment to a shared vision to improve the educational outcomes for Aboriginal children and young people and the inclusion of family and community members in the decision-making structures
- Contribute to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment by taking personal accountability by identifying and reporting incidents, hazards, and injuries in accordance with DE policy & procedure, and cooperating and complying with reasonable instructions of DE line management and WHS Officers.

**The capabilities you will bring (key competencies)**
- **Evaluation**: Ability to evaluate, exercise initiative and judgement, and work as a member of a team to develop strategies to improve the attendance, social and emotional wellbeing, and engagement and participation in learning of Aboriginal children, young people and their families/carers.
- **Advocacy**: Proven experience in working and utilising family and community networks with a diverse range of Aboriginal community groups, Aboriginal families and their children and young people, and Aboriginal service agencies.
- **Cultural**: Sound knowledge and understanding of cultural and contemporary issues facing Aboriginal families and communities.
- **Work Health & Safety**: Demonstrated knowledge and commitment to promoting and creating safe and inclusive work environment; and the legislative requirements of Equal Opportunity and Work Health and Safety legislation.

**Application Instructions**:
Applicants are required to submit a CV, the Application Cover Sheet, Employment Declaration and a written statement of no more than 1500 words addressing the selection criteria in the attached document.

Please note to be employed by the department, applicants must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved medical exemption endorsed by a duly qualified medical practitioner. Unvaccinated people must comply with conditions for unvaccinated people as outlined in the Department’s website. Proof of vaccination status must be provided for sighting on request.
The successful applicant is required to gain a Department for Human Services (DHS) working with children check (WWCC) prior to being employed which