Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Learning Specialist - Range 3
Occupation: Learning specialist
Location: Gippsland - Bass Coast
Reference: 1500676
Bass Coast Specialist School is situated close to the Wonthaggi town centre. Built in 2009 it opened with seven students and in 2025 it has 70 students enrolled living within the boundaries of the Bass Coast Shire. Most students are bussed to school with three buses travelling from Grantville, Phillip Island and Inverloch. The school is surrounded by green fields on two sides with the new Bass Coast College senior campus next door. The school is a purpose-built facility in a large area designated as the Bass Coast Learning and Educational Precinct. The facility consists of eleven classrooms with adjoining disabled bathrooms, a literacy centre, indoor gym, sensory room, engine room, art room, music room, teaching kitchen and consulting rooms. The school has expansive grounds for outdoor learning and play and a good mix of play equipment. The school provides individualised learning for students aged between five and eighteen who have an intellectual disability. Some of the students have additional disabilities including muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and/or autism.
The School Vision to educate our students to communicate, be kind, be safe and be lifelong learners influences every part of the school life at Bass Coast Specialist School. This vision is reinforced by our values of belonging, community, success, respect and relationships. Our vision and values ensure the comprehensive education provided prepares our students for adult life in their community. The school owns five buses and ensure the students access community facilities including the local YMCA pool, gym, library and local beaches. Bass Coast Specialist School is committed to developing the skills required for independence and community inclusion. In a happy and safe school environment, the school fosters confidence and a sense of community. Our exceptional staffing levels makes certain that every child is treated as an individual
Context
The Disability Inclusion reform agenda announced in the 2020/21 State Budget will invest more than $1.5 billion into the Victorian Education system over four years. This investment will support the Department of Education (the Department) to further improve outcomes for schools and students with disability and diverse learning needs. A key initiative under the reform is the Inclusion Outreach Coaching initiative, which supports schools to implement inclusive practices, guided by Inclusion Outreach Coaches (Learning Specialists).
Classification
Teacher Class (Learning Specialist) - Range 3
The successful applicant will be a highly skilled classroom practitioner who continues to spend the majority of their time in schools and classrooms delivering high-quality teaching and learning and have a range of responsibilities related to their expertise, including teaching demonstration lessons, observing and providing feedback to other teachers and facilitating school-based professional learning. Learning Specialist class employees are expected to have deep knowledge and expertise in high quality teaching and learning in delivering improved achievement, engagement and wellbeing for students. The role of the Learning Specialist will be to model excellence in teaching and learning through demonstration lessons, and mentoring and coaching teachers in improving the skill, knowledge and effectiveness of the teaching workforce.
For more information on the responsibilities of a Learning Specialist Range 3 employee, please visit:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/industrial-agreements/resources
Inclusion Outreach Coaches are based in specialist schools and partner with mainstream schools for defined periods, to provide coaching support to school leadership and staff aimed at strengthening inclusive practices. Coaches partner with the schools to increase their capability to implement preventative, evidence-based strategies that benefit all students. Together, the coach and school use data to identify a goal to work towards and plan and monitor for improvement and sustainability. Coaches collaborate with Departmental regional team members in a team-based response to the identified need. There is an emphasis on Tier 1 preventative, system change practices. Coaches do not work directly with students or provide individual student support. Coaches will undertake training to support schools in data-based decision making and using a Multi-tiered System of Supports. Coaches use a hybrid delivery model, so travel will be required.
Additional Area Responsibilities
Operating in collaboration with the Department's Area teams, this role will also have the following Area responsibilities:
Required
Applicants must:
Desirable
Other Relevant Information
Please ensure that your application includes:
Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name. Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action.
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 [email protected]
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.
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://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy
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://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview
Inclusion Outreach Coaches are based in specialist schools and partner with mainstream schools for defined periods, to provide coaching support to school leadership and staff aimed at strengthening inclusive practices. Coaches partner with the schools to increase their capability to implement preventative, evidenced-based strategies that benefit all students. Together, the coach and school use data to identify a goal to work towards and plan and monitor for improvement and sustainability. Coaches collaborate with Departmental regional team members in a team-based response to the identified need. There is an emphasis on Tier 1 preventative, system change practices. Coaches do not work directly with students or provide individual student support. Coaches will undertake training to support schools in data-based decision making and Multi-tiered Systems of Support. Coaches use a hybrid delivery model, so travel will may be required. To be eligible to apply you must have a current Working with Children Check and drivers licence.
To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class:
Details of qualification requirements as updated from time to time can be found at Recruitment in Schools.