Cairns School of Distance Education are welcoming applications for a Guidance Officer to join their school community on a temporary full-time basis, for a period of 6 months, unless otherwise determined. The school's culture is characterised by the provision of individualised curriculum and high levels of educational support, achieved through close professional working relationships with students and home tutors.

Applicants who are from State Schools must have the permission of their supervising principal before applying as release from the school will require their Principal's authorisation.

This Guidance Officer position will include 0.4FTE GO-wellbeing role and 0.6FTE GO generic role description. More information about Cairns School of Distance Education can be found on the website http://www.cairnssde.eq.edu.au

Job details

This temporary vacancy is open to Expressions of Interest and any extensions to this appointment will not exceed 12 months. 

About the Role

As a Guidance Officer - wellbeing you will be a specialist member of a multi-disciplinary team. You will offer therapeutic support to students with mild-to-moderate mental health concerns.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Assess the mental health needs of students to inform appropriate therapeutic interventions;
• Deliver individual and group interventions to students which address mental health concerns;
• Work collaboratively with schools' leadership and student support teams to inform student support planning, and provide advice to teachers supporting students' mental health in the classroom;
• Develop referral and case management processes to support delivery of the service;
• Coordinate referrals to external agencies, and work collaboratively with external networks and stakeholders to ensure access to appropriate supports for students;
• Provide advice and assistance to families to support the mental health of students;
• Support school communities in responding to critical incidents and emergencies as part of the school response team;
• Guidance Officers, Student Wellbeing have a clear focus on delivering wellbeing support and counselling to students.

About You

Within the context of the role described above, the ideal applicant will be someone who has the following key capabilities:

1. Identification, support and therapeutic intervention planning for students with mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
2. Provide advice and counselling on educational, behavioural, vocational, personal, social, family and mental health and wellbeing issues.
3. Provide support and ensure safety plans for the school context are implemented for students who are self-harming and/or at risk of suicide.

As a Guidance Officer, the ideal applicant will be someone who has the following key capabilities:

1. Capacity to provide leadership that enables the effective delivery of whole-of-school educational programs and services that support the inclusion of all students.
2. Capacity for effective counselling and individual case management involving multidisciplinary approach, within an environment of competing priorities.
3. Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to develop and sustain productive relationships within and beyond the school community.
4. Capacity to develop and implement student support programs and services for students with high support needs that reflect best practice and that align with departmental policies and procedures.
5. Demonstrated capacity to effectively respond to sensitive and complex student issues within an ethical framework.

Please refer to the attached role description for any mandatory requirements for this position.

How to Apply

• Please attach a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should have an understanding of your relevant previous work history); and
• A 1-pg written statement about how your achievements and capabilities meet the requirements of the role.
• Attach a copy of your mandatory qualifications/registration outlined in the attached role description

OR;

• Attach evidence of the mandatory requirements outlined in the attached role description.

We welcome all applicants to share any support needed to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive. 

Applicants need to be a current Queensland Government employee to be eligible to apply. 

Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted. 

When working in regulated employment an employee must have a current Working with Children Clearance (blue card) issued by Blue Card Services.

Salary rate shown is reflective of full-time (1.0 FTE). 

The Department of Education is a family inclusive workplace. Click here to find out more about our Inclusion and Diversity strategies. 

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

For a full list of the position responsibilities and mandatory requirements, please ensure you download the attached role description and candidate information fact sheet and follow the instructions.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• FNR642146_25E - Role Description (PDF, 169KB)
  Role Description
  
  Applicant Information Package (PDF, 245KB)
  Information Package for Applicants