Overview Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time Salary: $113,022 - $136,747 Grade: VPS 5 Occupation: Early childhood Location: Loddon Mallee - Greater Bendigo Reference: VG/1914954 This is a Fixed Term Full - Time 1.0 FTE position until 30 June 2029 About the Role The position will commence immediately. The main purpose of this role is to advise, support and build the capacity of funded kindergarten services to continuously improve service quality, particularly through the implementation of early childhood reforms, Best Start, Best Life reforms and the delivery of Networks and Forums. The Kindergarten Improvement Advisor will need to draw on experience and knowledge in an early learning context, administration of early childhood services and curriculum delivery. To be successful in this role you should have excellent interpersonal, influencing, and analytical skills. You will possess a strong understanding of quality pedagogical practices and a strong knowledge of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF). Group facilitation skills and experience would be an advantage. You will play a lead role in strengthening early childhood service collaboration, which will ultimately support services through a time of significant reform activity, help create a culture of trust and reflection, and improve transitions for children and families between services and into school. Flexibility will be required during periods of surge activity. Key responsibilities of the role may include:
* establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with funded kindergarten services.
* applying problem-solving skills to manage problems and decisions.
* utilise department systems, including the Kindergarten Information and Service Agreement Management systems.
* engaging in meaningful conversations with services, using data and evidence, to identify and address the needs of the services as it relates to educationally disadvantaged children.
* fostering the development of collaborative relationships widely in the community.
* understanding current research and developments in the early childhood sector, identifying implications and opportunities.
* provide advice to the Early Childhood Improvement Manager on delivery issues, operational perspectives and policy implications
* enabling collaboration between early childhood services and schools to build local communities of practice.
* implementing quality assurance measures to ensure that early childhood reforms are delivered in line with Departmental requirements.
* providing support, tools and advice to early childhood service providers to assist them to develop plans in response to their identified challenges in delivering early childhood reforms.
* advising and supporting funded kindergartens to plan the best use of allocated Early Childhood reform funding. This may include, but is not limited to, receipting, reviewing, signing off and approving Early Childhood reform funding plans.
* working collaboratively as part of a team and strengthening Area and state-wide connections including the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority.
Attributes - Position Specific Criteria: Criteria 1: Demonstrates the 'Victorian Public Sector Values' of Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. Criteria 2: 'Customer Focus' – Identifies and responds to customer requirements. Uses understanding of stakeholders' context to tailor programs and ensure program outcomes are delivered. Effectively manages risks to serv ice delivery. Criteria 3: 'Project Delivery' – Translates strategies into programs or projects that actively enable the achievement of outcomes. Defines the governance (e.g., success measures, roles and responsibilities, progress monitoring) required to manage risks and maximise success Criteria 4: 'Partnering and Co-creation' – Partners with stakeholders to collaborate program design process, to best understand user needs, obtain ideas, insights, and input. Ensures decisions are made within agreed timeline. Qualifications and Experience
* Desirable: A bachelor's degree in education – Early Childhood.
* Desirable: Recent relevant experience in an early childhood setting, or other clearly relevant and transferrable knowledge and skills.