Aboriginal Education Liaison Officer

**Company Description**
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) is one of Australia’s largest autism-specific service providers, with one of the biggest autism-specific school programs in the world. A not-for-profit organisation, we work in partnership with people of all ages on the autism spectrum, and their families to deliver evidence-informed solutions that are person-centred, family-focused and customer driven.

At Aspect we recognise a different brilliant®, where we seek to understand, engage and celebrate the strengths, interests and aspiration of people on the autism spectrum.

Vision: The best opportunities for people on the autism spectrum

Mission: We work with people of all ages on the autism spectrum, delivering evidence-informed solutions that are person-centred, family-focused, and customer-driven

Values: We are passionate about people, about being positive, and about what’s possible.
**Job Description** Aboriginal Education Liaison Officer - Part-time (2 days per week) Maximum Term contract**

Contracted position commencing Term 1, 2025 until the end of Term 4, 2025 (with possible extension)

Aspect is committed to equity and excellence for all and to ensuring our educational strategy supports and advances Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in and through education to achieve their learning potential. We seek to do this in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities ensuring their perspectives in the decision-making process.

As an experienced mentor with a passion for education and cultural mentoring, you will work closely in a team with other professionals such as our school psychologist, speech therapists and occupational therapists to develop and deliver quality learning programs. The team’s purpose is to promote the Aspect school as a place of learning and excellence in accordance with contemporary evidence-based learning principles for autistic students.

The purpose of the role is to support the Principal in leading:

- A culturally safe and inclusive school environment for students, teachers and school community members
- Staff in being culturally competent in the local context
- Effective engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members relating to student learning, wellbeing, and engagement.

**Key accountabilities**

**Work with teachers to**:

- Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness for all students with particular reference to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
- Help maintain effective relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their parents, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and school staff
- Support staff relating to meetings with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families regarding the educational progress of their children and attend meetings where requested
- Assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in all school activities, including excursions as requested.

**Work as part of a school team to support students**:

- In relation to their school participation and programs
- In relation to their attendance and retention

**Other Duties**:

- Build effective partnerships with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agencies and representatives in order to support student outcomes and pathways
- Liaising with the Principal and staff on protocols for interacting with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in relation to staff and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in the school and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education activities
- Performing other related duties as required by the Principal
- take reasonable care for their own health and safety
- comply, so far as the worker is reasonably able, with any reasonable instruction that is given by the person conducting the business or undertaking to allow the person to comply with legislative requirements.
- report unsafe conditions or practices, and make suggestions to their manager on improving work, health & safety at Aspect.
- participate in the staff consultation process about work health & safety matters.
- understand and adhere to Aspect’s Code of Conduct.

**Qualifications** What you bring**:

- Demonstrated experience and expertise working in educational and/or community settings with a focus on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families
- Demonstrated experience in engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities
- Established and ongoing links with the local and/or wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community that can support the development of community programs and student pathways
- Qualifications and/or experience (see below) relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and/or cultural settings. This is inclusive of being able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and conte