Overview Work Type: Fixed-term - Part-time Salary: Salary not specified Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 2 Occupation: Education and training Location: Grampians - Ballarat Reference: 1523138 Location Profile Ballarat Specialist School provides high¿quality education for students aged 3 to 18 years with diagnosed intellectual disabilities ranging from mild to profound. We are a dual¿campus K¿12 setting structured around four stages of learning: Early Learning (3¿5 years), Primary School (5¿12 years), Middle School (12¿15 years) and Senior School (15¿18 years). Our Early Learning to Middle School programs operate from our Gillies Street Campus, while our Senior School is located at our 8.09¿hectare FARM Campus in Norman Street. We currently support approximately 440 students across both sites. Our Mission and Approach Our mission, ¿Achieving Personal Success Together,¿ guides everything we do. We are committed to creating a safe, flexible and stimulating learning environment where both students and staff can reach their full potential. Our curriculum is personalised, balanced and designed to celebrate individual achievement. Teaching and learning at Ballarat Specialist School is grounded in the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, the Victorian Pathways Certificate, a strong focus on Literacy and Numeracy, and Individual Education Plans for every student. Our pedagogy is evidence¿based and supported by a gradual release of responsibility model. Professional Learning Communities drive curriculum, assessment, inquiry and reflection across the school. Small Class Sizes and Classroom Support A key strength of our school is our commitment to small class sizes, ensuring students receive targeted, responsive and meaningful instruction. Each classroom is supported by Education Support (ES) staff allocated according to student need, enabling a high level of individualised attention and consistent support throughout the school day. This structure allows teachers and ES staff to work closely together to implement personalised learning goals, support communication and engagement, respond to sensory and wellbeing needs, and create safe, predictable and inclusive learning environments. Integrated Services Team Our comprehensive Integrated Services Team works across all areas of the school to support students in achieving their academic, functional and personalised goals. The team includes Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Physiotherapists, Exercise Physiologists, Allied Health Assistants, Mental Health Practitioners, NDIS¿funded practitioners (in collaboration with families) and Registered Nurses. This multidisciplinary team partners with teachers, ES staff and families to embed therapeutic, communication, health and wellbeing supports into everyday learning. Their work strengthens student engagement, independence and readiness for future pathways. Pathways and Real¿World Learning Ballarat Specialist School is committed to preparing students for meaningful, fulfilling futures. Our pathways model provides students with authentic, hands¿on learning experiences that build independence, confidence and employability skills. Key pathway opportunities include school¿based enterprises such as the Vintage Soul Op Shop and cafés at both campuses, Mini Woolies at Gillies Street, and accredited vocational pathways including Certificate I in Life Skills and Certificate II courses delivered onsite in partnership with local TAFE providers. Industry¿aligned learning areas include Kitchen Operations, Retail, Horticulture, Visual Arts, Sport and Recreation, Music Industry and Work Skills. These programs support students to explore interests, develop practical skills and transition confidently into post¿school options including supported employment, open employment, community participation and further training. Individualised Support Every student has an Individual Education Plan developed through a collaborative Student Support Group involving parents and carers, external agencies, classroom teachers, education assistants and our Integrated Services Team. This ensures each student¿s learning, wellbeing and communication needs are understood and supported. Selection Criteria SC1 Capacity to undertake routine support tasks across a range of functions in one or more work areas within a school environment.
SC2 Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively with members of the school community including students and the capacity to provide learning support to students through various Vocational programs ran through a hospitality sector.
SC3 Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Hospitality Equipment including Commercial cooking equipment as relevant to the position.
SC4 Capacity to work cooperatively with a range of people including teachers, education support, students and parents.
SC5 A commitment to professional learning and growth. Role Café Assistant plays a vital role in the successful daily operations of the school café. This includes preparing and serving a range of food and beverages, ensuring a high standard of product quality and presentation. The role also involves upholding strict hygiene, cleanliness, and food safety standards to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all customers. In addition to delivering friendly and efficient customer service to students, staff, and members of the public, the Café Assistant also supports the school¿s educational goals by working closely with students undertaking training or work experience in the café. This includes modelling professional café practices, guiding students through tasks, providing encouragement and feedback, and helping them develop valuable skills in a real-world hospitality setting. Responsibilities
* Prepare and serve a variety of hot and cold beverages
* Assist in the preparation and serving of food items such as sandwiches, snacks, and light meals.
* Operate the point-of-sale (POS) system to take and process customer orders.
* Set up and pack down the café deli fridge daily.
* Maintain high standards of hygiene, cleanliness, and food safety in line with school and health regulations.
* Clean all café areas and equipment to meet Food Safety Australia standards.
* Follow all workplace health and safety policies and procedures.
* Complete daily food safety records, including temperature checks and delivery logs.
* Collect used crockery and cutlery from café tables and clean tables both indoors and outdoors.
* Take out rubbish as required and ensure bins are emptied at the end of the day.
* Wash and dry café laundry as needed.
* Provide excellent customer service to members of the school community and the public.
* Support and guide students participating in training or work experience by modelling professional café practices and assisting them in developing their skills.
* Perform other tasks as directed by the Café Manager.
Who May Apply Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position. Diversity and Inclusion The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, 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 safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via 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. 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: https:///pal/child-safe-standards/policy 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: https:///pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview Other Information Hours of Employment: Monday and Tuesday 8:00am to 3:00 0pm Attendance is not required during school holiday periods. Preparing your application: Applicants must hold a current type `E\" Working with Children Check Card. In your application, you must include both the name on your Working with Children Card and the actual card number. Applicants must respond to the Key Selection Criteria for this position in their application. If you do not address the selection criteria you may not be offered an interview. You are also requested to name two confidential referees that we can contact for further information. Our selection process: After the closing date, our Selection Panel will meet and consider the applications submitted by applicants. The Panel will short list applicants for interview, interviews will be conducted and referees contacted prior to a decision being made. If offered an interview you will be expected to present your current type 'E' Working with Children's Check card. The successful applicant will complete a Validation of Personal Information declaration and a Pre-Employment Health declaration. 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 http:///hrweb/Pages/default.aspx
Applications close Tuesday 14 April Posted 1 April 2026