• Help ensure children and their families are valued and meaningfully included in kindergarten
• Hybrid WFH opportunity role for a qualified and experienced early childhood teacher
• VECTEA Level 1 Advisor + increased take-home pay with salary packaging benefits

Your new role

At Uniting Early Learning, we have a range of programs to support children’s development and well-being. We have a special focus on the inclusion of vulnerable children and children with severe disabilities and additional needs.

As a Preschool Field Officer, you will be part of the team that promotes and supports inclusion in Victorian government-funded kindergarten programs the Wimmera and Southern Mallee regions (Horsham, Hindmarsh, Northern Grampians, Southern Grampians, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack).

You will build capacity in Early Childhood Teachers and their teaching teams to create an environment where all children are valued, experience a sense of belonging, and are encouraged to reach their full potential in all areas of development.

Some of your key responsibilities will include:

• Assisting in planning and developing teaching strategies to encourage the participation of children with additional needs.
• Providing support, resources, and information to early childhood professionals, to enable the successful inclusion of children with additional needs.
• Supporting family-centered practices by offering information or advice on children’s developmental stages and needs, resources, and access to service options to parents and educators.
• Providing a coordinated service to children and families through working cooperatively with other specialist services and early childhood professionals.

Benefits of working at Uniting

Our work isn’t easy, but it matters. Work with people who care as much as you.

This role is two days per week (0.4 FTE / 30.4 hours per fortnight), with one of the work days being Wednesdays. It is an opportunity to be part of a team that shares a passion for the work they do and understands the strength of collaboration to work on challenges and get the best outcomes.

For this role we offer a hybrid and flexible work environment. We focus on outcomes and deliverables and are set up for our employees to work remotely or from any Uniting office location.

In addition to your base salary of Level 1 Advisor under the VECTEA, you can access the following:

• Salary packaging benefits to increase your take-home pay.
• Need extra time off? Buy additional leave to increase annual leave!
• 60% discount for eligible employees on the childcare subsidy gap fee when using a Uniting Early Learning Service.
• Up to 10 weeks paid parental leave for primary caregivers (4 for secondary).
• 25% off at Uniting Op Shops.

Your skills and experience

You value a holistic approach to reducing the barriers to inclusion and work best in a collaborative culture. You are a strong problem solver and understand the importance of being adaptable in your thinking, considered, and consultative to get the best result.

You will also bring:

• A Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood) or equivalent. Additional qualifications in Special Education would be an advantage.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in implementing high-quality, inclusive early childhood education and care programs in 3 and 4-year-old-funded kindergartens.
• A commitment to participate in ongoing reflective practice through supervision and team discussions.
• An openness to ongoing mentoring to support the development of your practice and ability to build capacity within our early childhood community.

View the position description here.

How to apply

Click APPLY to submit your interest.

If this role sounds like a good fit for you, please apply soon. We'll review applications as they come in and may close the ad early.

For any questions, reach out to Karalynn McDonnell, Senior Preschool Field Officer on 0417 318 569 for a chat.

About Uniting

At Uniting we are passionate about working together to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice. We have a 5,000 strong workforce of employees and volunteers who deliver a diverse range of services across Victoria and Tasmania.

Visit us: www.vt.uniting.org

Uniting is a child safe organisation and is committed in everyday practice to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children, at all times. As a ‘child safe’ organisation, employment with Uniting is subject to a satisfactory national (and international where relevant) police check and relevant Working with Children Check in your State prior to commencement of any paid or unpaid work and/or participation in any service or undertaking.

Through the recruitment process, we will ask you for personal information. Disclosure is optional, however, it can help us support you better. We invite you to tell us if you identify as Aboriginal, a person with disability, from a diverse background or LGBTQIA+. You will be given an opportunity in the application form to request additional support. We welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can support you.