Kitchen / Garden position

Overview

Work Type: Ongoing - Part-time

Salary: Salary not specified

Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 3

Occupation: Other

Location: Melbourne - Southern suburbs

Reference:

Selection Criteria

SC1 Capacity to undertake routine support tasks across a range of functions to do with Gardening - produce gardening and animal care, including permaculture principles and seasonal vegetable/flower/fruit tree planting, maintenance, and crop rotation.

SC2 Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively with members of the school community including students and the capacity to provide support and/or attendant care to students where necessary.

SC3 Demonstrated proficiency in the use of office systems, software, or technical equipment as relevant to the position.

SC4 Capacity to work cooperatively with a range of people including teachers, Kitchen Specialist, students, and parents.

SC5 A commitment to professional learning and growth.

Role

Attendance requirement for this position

Range 3 is distinguished by the introduction of management responsibility and accountability for the delivery of professional support services. The role will usually impact beyond the work area or professional field. It seeks to gain cooperation of other staff members or members of the school community to achieve specific objectives, such as in school administration, operations or educational programs.

Direction on targets and goals is provided but the position will have some degree of latitude in determining how they are achieved. This latitude will generally be limited by standard procedures and school policy. Deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.

The provision of business management responsibilities becomes a feature at range 3. Management of staff to achieve the expected outcomes is a key responsibility. Staff management issues will be resolved with minimal reference to senior management, although guidance will be required in more complex cases. Senior management will be provided with timely reports and advice, although this will generally be confined to matters relating to the immediate work area, service provision or educational program and is unlikely to impact substantially on whole of school operations.

This is the minimum range for positions that carry a mandatory qualification requirement of not less than four years. Professional student support positions become a feature at range 3 (e.g. therapists, psychologists) where standard professional services are delivered. Professional support and guidance will be close at hand and deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students, but must not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students cannot be required except where it is an integral part of the employee¿s position or involves supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

Responsibilities

• To support the delivery of relevant curriculum programs within the kitchen / garden area
• To work under the direction of the Teacher in charge using established routines, methods and procedures
• To solve work problems by reference to established procedures and practices through liaison with supervisory staff. Refer problems of a more complex nature to appropriate personnel.
• To assist colleagues, both teaching and non-teaching in the tasks being undertaken in the kitchen / garden area and provide assistance to students as directed
• The Kitchen / Garden Assistant requires a broad knowledge of safe food handling, DE and associated health regulations
• Assist teaching staff with enforcement of appropriate safety procedures
• Assist students in relation to their equipment and materials needed in the classroom
• Assist with security of equipment and buildings
• Liaise with the Business Manager to undertake relevant staff professional development and training
• Maintain a healthy and safe working environment

Who May Apply

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

EEO AND OHS Commitment

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via

Child Safe Standards

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:

DE Values

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:

Other Information

For applicants:

• Please note, school holiday attendance will be required for animal feeding, cleaning and welfare.

• Qualifications in permaculture, hydroponics and agriculture will be highly regarded.

Please ensure you address the key selection criteria. Also attach a cover letter and your CV. Include your mobile contact number and email. Please list up to three referees (name, position and contact number). For file attachments, ensure your full name is in the file name.

For more information on this position or for a school tour, please contact Sarah Spence, Principal, on , or by email Sarah will be able to discuss the position and the likely responsibilities of the successful applicant.

Please ensure that your application includes:

• A resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, address and contact numbers, business and home)
• A section addressing the selection criteria and the requirements for application under the Who May Apply section
• Names and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of three referees who are able to attest to the claims made in your application.

Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name. Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action

Conditions of Employment

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at

Location Profile

East Bentleigh Primary School is located in Bentleigh East as part of the South East Victoria Region. Different learning styles are catered for at East Bentleigh Primary School. In our attempt to meet the individual needs of all students, two different methods of curriculum delivery are offered.

The two curriculum streams operate in parallel within the school and parents can place their child in whichever stream is more appropriate for the individual child.

One curriculum stream is based on multi-age education philosophies and the other is based on the educational philosophies of Rudolf Steiner. Both streams are underpinned by the Victorian Curriculum.

In keeping with our motto " Growing Together " all members of the community, be they children, staff or parents are made to feel that they belong. Staff ensure equal educational opportunities for male and female students, both in the classroom and during outdoor activities. We cater for a diversity of socio economic and cultural backgrounds.

The dedication and loyalty of both staff and parents are the school's most important asset. The staff includes teachers, and specialists in art/craft, physical education, library, LOTE (French) and music. East Bentleigh is well known for the outstanding quality of its arts and environmental programs. A particular delight to children and parents alike, are the many musical and dramatic performances held throughout the year.

East Bentleigh Primary School is a Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation School. This has seen the implementation of a Kitchen Garden Program for children in Years 3 - 6, a wonderfully enriching program which embeds the concept of real-life learning. Due to the hard work of the Garden and Environmental teams the school has won various awards.

The school is proud of its achievements and the strong sense of community it embodies.

The highly motivated, professional and caring staff at East Bentleigh Primary School put the needs of our children first, planning and implementing teaching and learning programs which develop inquiry, initiative, co-operation and independence. Restorative Justice and Positive Education Principles underpin all we do at our inclusive and respectful school. The Respectful Relationships initiative is embedded across the school to promote and model respect and equality to support children in building healthy relationships, resilience and confidence.

Our school prides itself on catering for students with diverse learning needs with targeted programs developed to support students with identified needs.

We promote the safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and encourage applications from Aboriginal peoples. Applicants are welcome to elaborate on experience they may have working with Aboriginal children and/or communities.

Our school has a strong commitment to Child Safe practices and policies.

East Bentleigh Primary School is on a path of steady improvement, to ensure that every educational opportunity is offered to individually support each unique student and family to progress and achieve to their very best.

Applications close Tuesday 26 August 2025 at 11.59pm

Posted

13 August 2025

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