Koolkan Early Childhood Centre Director

About the Organisation

Aurukun Shire Council plays a crucial role in leading the community and addressing the needs of its residents. The Council works closely with various stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and local businesses, to improve service delivery and create opportunities for the community it serves.

Key focus areas for the Aurukun Shire Council include community safety, governance, economic development, and preservation of cultural identity, environmental management, postal services and child care provision.

Initiatives are developed and implemented in consultation with community members, ensuring their active participation and ownership. The Council strives to empower community members, promote self-determination, and build a sustainable and prosperous future for Aurukun.

About the Role

This role is residential and based in Aurukun.

Reporting to the General Manager Community Services, this role effectively manages  the day-to-day operations of the Koolkan Early Childhood Centre including but not limited to compliance, staffing, budgeting, reporting, enrolment and educational and care functions while building meaningful connections with the local community.

Key Accountabilities

Educational and Care Management

• Lead, manage, motivate and mentor a team of Educators and support personal while sustaining a positive and inclusive centre culture
• Work closely with families and/or caregivers to ensure children's health, safety and wellbeing by establishing open communication and involvement
• Ensure all incidents, accidents and injuries are documented and reported within regulatory guidelines.
• Support and emphasis the rights and best interests of the child while making children the centre of decision making
• Ensure the Centre delivers high-quality, age appropriate, education programming aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework, the National Quality Framework and relevant Government Regulations
• Lead quality improvement planning and operational targets while considering cultural imperatives
• Build and sustain partnerships with and between the Centre, the school, the community and other government agencies.
• Seek out and coordinate with support services to respond to identified child and family needs.
• Ensure that the Centre meets all relevant legislative standards.
• Prepare and provide timely reports to the General Manager of Community Services, as required.
• Maintain the cultural integrity of the Centre to reflect the community in which the Centre operates.

Financial Management

• In consultation of the General Manager Community services regularly review and monitor costs for the Centre to ensure adherence to budgetary requirements. Ensure any potential budget over-runs are identified and reported.
• Monitor procurement outcomes to ensure that any legislative requirements are met, and that Council is receiving "value for money" from suppliers.
• Ensure grant funding performance reports are completed and submitted on time.
• Assist the General Manager of Community Services in the preparation of Council's budgets.
• Monitor operations to ensure that they are being undertaken in a cost effect manner and being undertaken within agreed budget, time schedules and quality standards.
• Completion of financial, statistical and other returns and surveys as required.

People Management

• Lead and mentor the Centre team with kindness, courage, generosity and clarity while providing leadership, guidance and support to staff within the service.
• Provide the leadership required to ensure effective delivery of quality
• services by supporting staff to achieve the work goals and objectives of the Centre.
• Actively recruit and provide training and support to indigenous trainees and other staff as and when required.
• Develop and maintain appropriate professional development plans with particular emphasis on retaining local indigenous staff members.
• Ensure that staff carry out their duties in accordance with their position descriptions, Council's human resource policies and procedures, while complying with statutory requirements.
• Ensure that recruitment and promotion decisions are made in accordance with Council's policies and procedures.
• In consultation with the General Manager of Community Services, monitor staff numbers and skill levels to ensure Council has adequate human resources to achieve current and future identified operational outcomes.
• Lead weekly staff meetings.

Selection Criteria

1. Relevant tertiary qualifications in Early Childhood Education, minimum standard Diploma in Children's Services.
2. At least five years' experience in the field of childcare and/or early childcare education
3. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
4. Computer literacy particularly with the Microsoft Office Suite of programs and digital reporting systems particular to early childhood settings.
5. Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, with ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with Indigenous people.
6. Ability to review and manage budgets.
7. Current First Aid and Resuscitation. Asthma and anaphylaxis Certificate/s.
8. Accredited Child Protection Training
9. Current C class manual drivers licence
10. Positive Working with Children Blue Card.
11. Have, or be willing to attain, Food Safety Supervisor Certificate
12. Understanding or ability to acquire understanding of local government regulations, operations and procedures.

Benefits

Joining ASC means becoming part of an organisation with strong cultural values with a focus on providing exceptional services to, and for, the community. You will be offered;

• A salary of $95,000 - $105,000 per annum including allowances plus superannuation. Some overtime at penalty rates may be available
• Subsidised accommodation provided for imported employees
• 5 weeks annual leave, 3 weeks personal leave, 8 Days Isolation Leave per year
• 2 return flights per year to Cairns from Aurukun in accordance with Council policy
• Relocation expenses in accordance with Council policy
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

How to apply

Applications which include Cover Letter addressing the Selection Criteria and Resume with contactable referees can be sent to;

People and Culture Manager

Aurukun Shire Council

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Applications close 4pm Friday 19 September 2025

Shortlisting for this position will begin immediately.

To apply, you must have the legal right to work in Australia.

Appointment to this position is subject to a satisfactory National Police Check.