Overview
Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 3
Occupation: Education and training
Location: Gippsland - Baw Baw
Reference:
Location Profile
Trafalgar High School is a 7 to 12 regional high school with a student enrolment of approximately 700 students. Of these students many travel from outside of the immediate area to make Trafalgar High School the school of their choice. It is situated in a pleasant environment between the Strzelecki Ranges and Mount Baw Baw. Located on a large, attractive site adjacent to Trafalgar Primary School, this unique rural setting nurtures a strong school identity based on wide community support, providing a stable, caring environment in which each individual attains a sense of identity and self-worth. Many students travel to the school by bus or train from well beyond the local area.
Our vision at Trafalgar High School is to provide a caring, supportive and challenging learning environment where all students have the opportunity to achieve and develop as lifelong learners who actively participate in their community.
Trafalgar High School is dedicated to providing a valuable education that aims for excellence through creating opportunity for every student in its community. The program offered at the school is comprehensive including a strong academic curriculum that is well balanced across the Key Learning Domains and a variety and range of extra-curricular activities that enhance learning opportunities for all students. The commitment to learning for all students is a core belief and value at Trafalgar High School
Our values provide the platform for all relationships and interactions within our community.
Respect
Effort
Kindness
In addition, a Select Entry Accelerated Learning Program (SEALP), established in 1997, enables selected students to cover an enriched Years 7 to 10 curriculum, potentially in only three years. Many SEALP students choose to remain in this program into Year 10, however, undertaking some VCE units in the process. The school seeks to offer the broadest VCE curriculum possible each year. The VCE Vocational Major (VM) is available to Years 11 and 12 students more suited to hands-on work. Aiding is available to students assessed as having learning difficulties. The school has successive high achievement in VCE results and excellent On Track data. Striving to meet the needs of all students whereby they can experience success through their efforts is undertaken in a learning environment where high aspiration and effort is encouraged.
A balanced approach to the development of the whole child is also of paramount importance and fundamental in the education philosophy of the school. Approaches through positive education are explicitly taught focusing on using strengths to succeed and approaching all opportunities with a growth mindset. Students are supported throughout their Years 7 to 12 education in a safe and caring learning environment where the tenets of positive education, mindfulness and restorative practice form the basis of the engagement and wellbeing approaches. A strong sense of community is also important at Trafalgar High School, with over 34 feeder primary schools links and partnerships with community and community organisations. These are vital in building and strengthening a sense of connectedness and are evident through our partnerships with Trafalgar Youth Resource Centre, service clubs and organisations, business partners and the involvement and real input through student voice with student leaders.
Selection Criteria
* Demonstrated knowledge and experience in professional service delivery; including administration, records management, finance, human resources, marketing and governance;
* Demonstrated capacity to engage stakeholders with program operations and manage program data in accordance with government and education policy;
* Experienced in providing complex reports that may require cross-data sets consolidation;
* Effective communication skills when engaging with various stakeholders and levels of management;
* Effective management of personal workload and motivation to deliver a program that delivers across a large number of stakeholders, including student and support networks, schools and education systems, industry and workplace compliance and overarching state and commonwealth regulations;
* Demonstrated proficiency in information technology systems;
* Committed to personal learning and building resilience; and commitment to DET values
Role
The Head Start Administrator is a professional service provider, delivering a support function that gains cooperation of other program staff or members of the school community to achieve specific program objectives, such as in administration and operations within department or school policy. The administrator may deliver service provision or program support from up to 50 government secondary and specialist schools, as well as Flexible Learning Options settings that align with one of the twelve program hubs across Victoria.
Reporting directly to the Head Start Hub Director; the Head Start Administrator will:
* have a constructive impact on program administration and operations; such as finance, human resources, data capture and other support areas that contributes significantly to the program management function;
* manage and direct the preparation of program budget and regular financial statements and contribute to financial decision making; coordinate a range of functions;
* manage the delivery of a particular administrative services or operational functions as identified by Hub Director (e.g. reporting, facilities, events management);
* be based at school within the local hub working with broad responsibility and minimal day-to-day direction;
* liaise with the general school community, the department and other government agencies; training, employer and other related service providers when needed;
* support the Head Start service provided to program staff, students or industry alongside program colleagues from across the state by identifying improvement opportunities and risk for strong student outcomes.
Responsibilities
* Prepare management plans regarding the finance, governance and reporting;
* Manage the flow of information to staff and students to ensure appropriate awareness of program operations and safety; including program opportunities and events;
* Investigate and report on the efficiency and effectiveness of program design; and conduct training and instruction to program colleagues within operational parameters;
* Interact with a range of external or internal stakeholders to provide advice or information; and coordinate delivery of a range of program support services using a student-centred approach, across schools or industry;
* Manage the program liaison with school staff and Head Start Director to ensure program goals are achieved; such as administering contracts and service agreements relating to the program and data capture and reporting for program leadership;
* Provide executive support to the Head Start Director and Assistant Director, and act on behalf of the Head Start leadership team on student and/or industry services;
* Develop and seek to improve successful interconnections between the senior secondary reform and Head Start program operations; and identify and collaboratively seek solutions to any unforeseen touch points with department and school settings alongside state-wide colleagues delivering the Head Start SBATs program;
* Ensure program operational and administrative processes are compliant with Department policies and any other regulatory requirements.
* Supervision of students can be required where it is an integral part of the employees position or in circumstances where supervision is required individually or in groups up to 4 in controlled circumstances and where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher
* Other duties as directed
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:
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
* An understanding of the school setting, particularly the relationships between middle and senior secondary education with career pathways is desired
* A current employee Working with Children Check card is mandatory
* Staff may be required to work across a number of school sites and visit workplaces
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
Applications close Monday 9 March 2026 at 11.59pm
Posted
24 February 2026