Officer Specialist School is a purpose-built facility servicing the needs of students aged between 5‐18, with mild to severe intellectual and associated disabilities in the shires of Cardinia and Casey. The school opened in 2014 and the student population has increased rapidly each year, requiring new staff and additional buildings. There are two departments at the school, Primary and Secondary, that include classrooms, visual and performance arts spaces, food technology kitchens, multiplex and therapy spaces, and social gathering areas. With continued growth we now have modular buildings such as a Performing Arts Hub, Sensory Motor Room, Sustainability Hub and two sensory playgrounds.
School staff work in transdisciplinary teams that include teaching staff, allied health practitioners and education support staff to cater for diverse learning needs. This approach provides opportunities for staff to learn from one another and share expertise.
Officer Specialist School aims to create reflective and independent learners for life through a learning community that provides a challenging and secure environment responsive to individual learning needs.
Selection Criteria
* Demonstrated understanding of initiatives in student learning including the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment and Reporting Advice and the capacity to implement curriculum programmes consistent with their intent.
* High‐level classroom teaching skills and the capacity to work collaboratively with colleagues to continually improve teaching and learning.
* Ability to monitor and assess student learning data and use this data to inform teaching for improved student learning.
* High-level written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills, including a capacity to develop constructive relationships with students, parents and other staff.
* Commitment and capacity to actively contribute to a broad range of school activities and ongoing professional learning to enable further development of skills, expertise and teaching capacity.
* Ability to plan for, implement and monitor an educational programme that meets the needs of students with intellectual disability and complex learning needs.
Role
The classroom teacher classification has two salary ranges – Range 1 and Range 2. The primary focus is the planning, preparation and teaching of programmes to achieve specific student outcomes and the engagement in critical reflection and inquiry to improve knowledge and skills.
As classroom teachers gain experience, their contribution to the school program beyond the classroom increases. All teachers may be required to undertake other duties in addition to their rostered teaching duties, provided the responsibility is appropriate to the salary range, qualifications, training and experience.
Classroom Teacher – Range 2
Range 2 teachers play a significant role in assisting the school to improve student performance and educational outcomes. They contribute to the development and implementation of school policies and priorities. A critical component includes increasing staff knowledge of student learning and high‐quality instruction.
* Have the content knowledge and pedagogical practice to meet the diverse needs of all students.
* Model exemplary classroom practice and mentor/coach other teachers in critical reflection of their practice.
* Provide expert advice about content, processes and strategies that shape individual and school professional learning.
* Supervise and train one or more student teachers.
* Assist staff in using student data to inform teaching approaches and achieve targets related to improving student learning outcomes.
Classroom Teacher – Range 1
Range 1 teachers are skilled teachers who operate under general direction within clear guidelines. They may supervise and train student teachers, participate in the development of school policies and assist in the implementation of school priorities.
Focus areas include classroom management, subject content and teaching practice. New entrants receive structured support, mentoring and guidance from teachers at higher levels. They plan and teach student groups, participate in induction programmes and other professional learning activities that integrate curriculum, assessment and pedagogy across the school. They may also assist in policy development, project teams and co‐curriculum activities.
Responsibilities
* Direct teaching of groups of students and individual students.
* Contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of a curriculum area or other curriculum programme within the school.
* Undertaking other classroom teaching‐related and organisational duties as determined by the School Principal.
* Participating in activities such as parent/teacher meetings, staff meetings, camps and excursions.
* Undertaking other non‐teaching supervisory duties.
Who May Apply
Teachers who are currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and who are qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for the position.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community it serves. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability where requested.
Applicants seeking part‐time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and can negotiate a reduced time fraction on a case‐by‐case basis in line with operational requirements.
Child Safe Standards
Victorian government schools are child‐safe environments. All staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in accordance with child safe standards and the department's Child Safety Code of Conduct.
Conditions of Employment
* All staff have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
* Appointment is subject to satisfactory pre‐employment conditions checks.
* A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment.
* Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website.
Qualification Requirements
* Provisional or full registration approved by the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
* Qualification from an Australian postgraduate level initial teaching program or an equivalent course of study completed on or after 1 January 2024, and a satisfactory completion of a postgraduate level accredited initial teacher education program.
* Graduation from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme after 1 July 2016 must include a satisfied literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE).
Applications Close
Monday 4 May 2026 at 11.59 pm.
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