@ 06 June 2016
Marian College
Position Description
Position: / Family Liaison Officer - SudaneseRemuneration Scale: / Category b Level 2 / $49,385 - $56,354 (pro-rata)
Hours of Work: / 0.6 Fte / 22.8 hours/week
Reports to: / Assistant to the Co-Principals (ACP) Student Wellbeing / Co-Principals
Overview
All staff members of Marian College are expected to support Catholic education in the Brigidine tradition as expressed in the College’s vision and mission statements.
Each staff member’s role is designed to contribute to the best possible educational outcomes for all students, enhance the community’s strengths and ensure careful stewardship of the College’s resources.
Primary Objective of the Role
To support Sudanese students and their families to ensure that they have full and equitable access to the programs and services offered at Marian College.
Major Areas of Responsibility
I Support the transition of new students into the College
II Provide a connection between families and College staff members
III Provide support to families presenting with individual needs
IV Support the recognition and celebration of cultural diversity at the College
Statement of Duties
The following duties are aligned to the 4 major areas of responsibility of the Family Liaison Officer:
Supporting Transition / - Liaise with the Language School regarding new enrolments and orientation of students to Marian College
- provide support for students and new families enrolling into the College
- provide support for the completion of required paperwork for enrolment
Providing a Connection to the College / - act as a point of contact for EAL families with College staff members
- make phone contact with families prior to key events
- act as an interpreter for Sudanese families to assist communication in all areas of College function, for example:
o Homeroom Teachers
o Year Level Leaders
o Parent-Teacher Interviews
o Individual Needs staff
o Issues related to school fees
o completion of required paperwork
- plan Sudanese Parent meetings with the ACP Student Wellbeing and coordinate the running of these
- translate and prepare documents for distribution to families
- provide information and/or connection to resourcing to support educational provision for Sudanese students at the College
Supporting families with individual needs / - alert Year Level Leaders, the Head of Student Wellbeing and/or the Co-Principals, as appropriate, to concerns regarding individual families and students
- where appropriate (and in consultation with the Co-Principals) conduct home visits to Sudanese families
- liaise with Sudanese Welfare Support Agencies to access support for students and their families when necessary
Recognising and Celebrating Cultural Diversity / - highlight Sudanese cultural celebrations in the wider community, draw these to the attention of the school community and as part of whole school events organise Sudanese cultural experiences at the College
Other / The Family Liaison Officer will, at times, be required to undertake other duties related to the role as directed by the Head of Student Wellbeing or the Co-Principals.
In negotiation with the Co-Principals it is possible for this role to evolve to capitalise on the individual strengths and initiative of the person in the position.
Qualities and Capabilities
The successful candidate will demonstrate a comprehensive range of the following:
Dispositions
- a respect for the mission, identity and core values of Brigidine education as lived at Marian College
- clear and strong understanding the need for accountability
- collaborative participation in professional relationships
- an openness to learning and improvement in all situations
- friendliness and service to all members of the College community
Attributes
- the capacity for hard work and flexibility in working hours
- alertness in congested and stressful situations
- confidence and enthusiasm about the College environment
- a sense of humour and appreciation of the appropriate use of humour
- respect for people from diverse backgrounds
Knowledge and understandings
- intercultural understandings
- knowledge of the various support agencies available for schools, families and students
- fluent in spoken and written languages as required
Skills
- the ability to work collaboratively, flexibly and independently in a demanding environment
- the capacity to negotiate calmly with staff and students
- the ability to develop and demonstrate efficient work practices
- the ability to locate information and support services quickly and accurately
- the capacity to develop and maintain professional relationships across the College community
- the ability to integrate habits and practices of ongoing review to ensure continuous improvement in maintenance services cross the College
Risk and Occupational Health and Safety
The Family Liaison Officer will:
- comply with legislated occupational health and safety practices and participate in consultative processes
- observe safe work practices in accordance with training and instruction given
- identify, report and where appropriate, action risks/hazards in order to eliminate or mitigate against the risk recurring (Risks arising in the workplace may be financial, site, task or person specific or related to safety.)
- oversee, promote and implement occupational health and safety and risk mitigation processes corresponding to the role of the bus driver
Key Communications
Internal
ACP Student Wellbeing
Literacy Coordinator
Co-Principals / Committees
Student Services (where necessary) / External
Sudanese Social Welfare Agencies
Sudanese Cultural and Support Groups
Background & Qualifications / Family Social Work experience and/or qualifications
Capacity to speak and understand Arabic would be considered an advantage
Other Requirements / Criminal Record Check
Valid Working with Children Card
Flexibility to vary working hours to fulfil requirements of position
Contract & Conditions / Contract: Replacement
Conditions: Entitlements under the Victorian Catholic Schools Multi-Employer Agreement 2013
Authorised by: Co-Principals
Date: June 2016
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