Qualitative and Inclusive Playgroups Project Officer

** Contract for 2 years, Part-time 22.8 hours per week**:

- ** $95,195 per annum (pro rata) plus Superannuation**:

- ** Join our Community Capacity Building Team**

Hume City Council is one of Australia’s fastest growing and culturally diverse councils. We put the customer and our community at the centre of all that we do, ensuring our services are efficient and accessible.

Hume City Council coordinates 15 Community Hubs that are part of the Community Hubs Australia National Network. Playgroups are at the core of the Community hubs and the most important pillar as first point of contact for families and children and a soft entry to the educational system.

All Hume playgroups are supported playgroups, where mothers and carers learn the importance of playing and interacting with their children, where children learn to socialise with each other and to model adults, while developing their social and motor skills.

**What you’ll be doing**:

- Building capacity and skills of Hume Community Hubs Supported Playgroup Facilitators regarding early childhood development and the delivery of high-quality supported playgroups. This may include topics on (but not limited to): identifying need for early intervention support, playgroup planning, set up and structure, engaging parents to support their child’s early learning and development, and referrals and link to relevant services for additional support.
- Supporting Playgroup Facilitators to use inclusive principles, practice, strategies and resources that promotes accessibility to priority groups (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, LGTBQI+, Dads, people with a disability, migrant and refugee families).
- Providing Hume Community Hubs Supported Playgroup Facilitators with guidance, strategies and resources to deliver high quality supported playgroups.
- Providing 1:1 support and coaching for Hume Community Hubs Supported Playgroup Facilitators.
- Establishing and maintain a Community of Practice between Hume Community Hubs Supported Playgroups and Hume City Council Playgroups.

**The skills and experience you’ll bring to the role**:

- Tertiary qualifications and experience in community development, social science and early childhood services or related field, including strong knowledge of child development and learning.
- Ability to develop cooperative relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders including playgroup facilitators, schools, hub leaders, families and service providers.
- Demonstrated ability to implement suitable play experiences in line with family expectations and children’s developmental needs.
- Relevant experience in training, coaching and mentoring professionals to develop skills and abilities which get the best outcomes for families and children.
- Demonstrated experience in working with diverse communities and vulnerable families including multicultural families, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGTBQI+, Dads, people with a disability, migrant and refugee families.
- Well-developed verbal and written communication skills and computer skills for data entry.
- Demonstrated high level of organisational skills, including experience in prioritising and managing own workload with limited supervision.
- Current driver’s licence, Working with Children Check and Police check.

The role of the Hubs Playgroups Project Officer is suitable for a highly skilled professional who is strongly independent, creative and able to meet demanding reporting requirements, including data entry.

**Why Hume City Council?**

A leader in local government, we’re committed to creating an inclusive and collaborative work environment that is guided by our values:
**We’re better, every day**: We give things a go and value progress over perfection. We have permission to go for it and are expected to reflect and learn.

**We’re in it together**: At Hume, everyone matters. We Welcome and include all. Respect and safety are expected.

**We show up**: We empower and trust others and own our work. We rise to the challenges and are expected to do what we say we will.

**All for Hume**: We strive to achieve our best for the Hume Community. We are proud and passionate about working towards better outcomes and expect they are at the centre of everything we do.

We offer a competitive salary package, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.

A child safe organisation and an equal opportunity employer. Council encourages people of all ages, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply.