Early Years Coordinator

About Us :

Yarriambiack Shire Council has a population of 6,645 people and covers an area of 7,158sq km. Yarriambiack Shire Council stretches from the Wimmera River just north of the Grampians in the south, to the centre of the Mallee in the north. The Yarriambiack Creek is the main natural feature traversing the Shire. The area is also linked by road and rail systems that run in a north-south direction. The area has an almost ideal climate with a short winter and delightful autumn and spring. Warracknabeal is the major service centre in the region and provides a wide range of services. It is complemented by Hopetoun in the north and Minyip, Murtoa and Rupanyup in the south, with another 13 small towns spread throughout the Municipality. Council offers an abundance of services to the region such as maternal and child health, enhanced maternal child health, library services, tourism and area promotion, parks and gardens, kindergarten services, housing support, environmental health services, food inspections, immunisation, youth support, planning and building services, waste services, law, order and public safety, public recreation spaces including swimming pools and sporting stadiums, emergency management, roads, footpaths, bridges, buildings, aerodromes, public halls and saleyards. Council is also engages technical specialists to provide effective governance, accounting and finance, customer service, administration, engineering and asset management and information management services. 

About You :

• Demonstrated understanding of best practice within Early Years in line with National Quality Assessment Framework
• Demonstrated understanding of the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 and Education and Care Services National Regulations 2018
• Experience in implementing and monitoring quality assurance practices and processes to ensure best practice
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills.
• Well-developed skills in the use of a computer and various software packages.
• Experience in data collection, reporting and grant acquittal processes

Position Summary :

• To review and implement policy and best practice within Early Years services to ensure all kindergartens meet or exceed the NQAF, National Quality Assessment Framework.
• To ensure that Kindergartens meet the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 and Education and Care Services National Regulations 2018.

Key Requirements :

• Formal qualification in early years or relevant discipline with some relevant practical experience or less formal qualifications with substantial practical experience in the early years space .
• Experience in supervising staff.

Job Responsibility :

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Compliance

• In consultation with Chief Operating Officer ensure that all services are compliant with Victorian Early Years Learning Framework and National Quality Assessment Framework, Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 and Children’s Services Regulations.
• Ensure all Yarriambiack Shire Council early years policies and procedures are current and comply with the above.
• Review safety audits conducted on kindergartens and work with the Chief Operating Officer to ensure all audit priorities are addressed.
• Provide advice to Chief Operating Officer on issues arising around compliance and safety.

Staff Management

• Assist in the management of Early Years staff, ensuring organisational and departmental staffing requirements are met
• Contribute to the recruitment of Early Years Services staff
• Assist in the delivery of Early Years induction programs to all newly appointed Early Years Services staff
• Assist the Chief Operating Officer, by scheduling and coordinating training and professional development of all Early Years staff, including annual performance appraisals
• Responsible for validating Early Years staff time sheets, and organising relief staff where required
• Administration of Early Years services (i.e. enrolments, invoicing)
• Receive and refer enquiries regarding early years services, initiate and follow up on appropriate action, liaising with relevant Council Officers and external parties
• Responsible for ensuring that an appropriate records system is maintained, including family, child and staff records
• Assist the Chief Operating Officer to manage all concerns of families and staff through established Shire procedures and policies relating to customer and client complaints and requests
• To assist in development of resources for kindergarten staff and families providing information on regulations, training and early childhood services and development

Organisational

• Develop strong and respectful relationships with all Early Years team members
• Develop relationships with counterparts within Yarriambiack Shire Council and in other organisations to assist in the resolution of identified early years problems.
• Support the Chief Operating Officer where request with Parent Advisory Group relationship management.
• Other early years duties as directed by Chief Operating Officer

RISK & OHS MANAGEMENT / STAFF AUTHORITY & RESPONSIBILITIES

The following authorities and responsibilities are assigned to the levels of management and staff as shown and are based on those in the Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004.

Supervisors and Deputy Supervisors (Depot/Work Sites, Home Care/Community Services, Administration)

• Foster a top down risk and safety cultural approach from Supervisors and Deputy Supervisors whereby this culture becomes a core value of Council.
• Ensure all appropriate actions are taken to implement Risk / OHS Management policies and procedures and that the organisation complies with OHS Legislation.
• Visually monitor and report risk and safety management issues to the relevant employees, contractor and volunteers to address. Rectify risk and safety issues to make the worksite safe. Notify the Safety Officer of the issue for any follow up and recording on the Councils Risk Register.
• Monitor risk management performance within your area of responsibility. Attend Risk and OHS compliance training as directed.
• Visibly show a pro active commitment to Risk and OHS Management through participation in formal and informal discussions, workplace visits and hazard inspections, etc.
• Ensure asset related damage, hazard or potential hazards are immediately reported to your manager.
• Be an active member if requested of the Risk and OHS Committee.
• Investigate in conjunction with OH&S Officer, investigate and review all incidents / hazards and near miss reports from Council employees, contractors, volunteers and the general public.
• Constructively action and implement control measures. Sign off on the appropriate Incident Notification Report Form and Hazard Identification and / Property Damage Report Forms.
• Ensure liaison with employee health and safety representatives, particularly on any workplace changes which have an OHS component.
• Initiate actions to improve Risk and OHS Management within your area of responsibility.
• Visually and actively monitor the workplace/Worksite or Contractor to determine presence of hazards and take appropriate action to rectify any hazards found. Notify Management or the Safety Officer if the need arises.
• Ensure all employees are inducted prior to commencing employment and that they receive regular training as required.
• Facilitate the rehabilitation of any injured employee.

COUNCIL ASSETS RESPONSIBILITIES

Take reasonable care of any council property or assets that you may use, have access to, or have overall responsibility for. Record and report to your Supervisor/Manager, any damage or potential for damage, to property or assets that you may use, have access to, or overall responsibility for. This may include risks such as accidental fire, arson, storm, flood or security.

ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIP

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Supervises: Kindergarten staff (Teachers and Educators across Hopetoun/Beulah, Warracknabeal, Minyip and Rupanyup Services)

Internal Liaisons: All Staff

External Liaisons: Department Education, Parents and Carers, Families, Allied Health Professionals, Emerge Early Learning Services.

ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• At all times, behave in a manner consistent with Council’s Employee Code of Conduct and Human Resource policies and guidelines (including Bullying / Equal Opportunity / Discrimination/ Sexual Harassment Guidelines).
• Ensure compliance to relevant OHS regulatory requirements and implement, promote and maintain Council’s OHS and Return to Work policies, procedures, training programs and initiatives.
• Ensure compliance to relevant regulatory or legislative requirements; including but not limited to Information Privacy and Freedom of Information.

CHILD SAFE STANDARDS:

Yarriambiack Shire Council is committed to creating a child safe and child friendly environment where children and young people are respected, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. All staff must adhere to Council’s Child Safe Policy and procedures and ensure that any reasonable suspicion of abuse to children or young people is reported.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:

Yarriambiack Shire Council offers a work environment free from discrimination, sexual or other harassment, victimisation, vilification and bullying. Employees are expected to contribute to the maintenance of such a work environment.

PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY:

Employees must respect and protect the privacy and confidentiality of information gained or accessed during the course of their employment. Employees are required to comply with the Information Privacy Act, the Health Records Act and Council’s Confidentiality policies.

Both during and after employment with Council, employees must not: Communicate confidential or private information to third parties.

Make use of any information gained through employment at the Shire for any purpose other

than the discharge of official duties.

PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION:

Personal and Health Information collected by Council is used for recruitment and if the applicant is successful will be used for Human Resources. The Personal and Health Information will be used solely by Council for this purpose and/or directly related purposes. Council may disclose this information to other organisations if required by legislation. The applicant understands that the Personal and Health Information provided is for the above purpose and that he or she may apply to Council for access to and/or amendment of the information after finalisation of the appeals process. Information relating to unsuccessful applicants may be destroyed by Council after 12 months from this time. Requests for access and/or correction should be made to Council’s Privacy Officer.

RECORD KEEPING:

Record keeping responsibilities for all staff members:

• Creating and capturing full and accurate records of Council business.
• Adhering to Council’s Records Management Policies and Procedures.

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW:

Every staff member is required to actively participate in the annual performance review/appraisal process with his or her supervisor.

VARIATIONS TO CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This position description is subject to change from time to time as Yarriambiack Shire Council’s organisation may be developed or restructured. Any such reorganisation of duties shall be the subject of discussion with the position incumbent.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• As part of Yarriambiack Shire Council’s recruitment and selection process, a Pre-employment medical assessment, satisfactory Police Check and Working with Children’s Check (Vic) is required for this position.
• Current Victorian Drivers Licence
• A Police Check every three years after engagement.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXTENT OF AUTHORITY

• The Early Years Coordinator is accountable to the Chief Operations officer for efficient and effective performance of duties.
• Accountable for ensuring tasks are completed within prescribed time constraints.
• The freedom to act as governed by objectives and/or budgets of Early Years with regular reporting to the Chief Operating officer and ensure adherence to goals and objectives
• Ability to provide input into policy development within area of expertise and/or management.
• Ability to manage resources and capable of providing input into policy development.
• Make independent decisions on method of work within budgetary and time constraints.

JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING

• Able to improve and/or develop methods and techniques based on previous experience and knowledge specific to the area of Early Years.
• Problem solve applying previous knowledge and techniques to relevant to Early Years situations.
• Use personal judgement and accept responsibility for quality relating to manner and method for which work undertaken.
• Guidance and advice is usually available from within the organisation to support judgement and decision

SPECIALIST SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• A sound understanding and knowledge of early childhood development and education.
• Working knowledge of Early Years data collection and enrolment process to enable reporting to State Government through online platforms.

MANAGEMENT SKILLS:

• Ability to manage time, set priorities, plan and organise work to achieve required tasks and meet time constraints.
• Ability to perform with minimum supervision.
• Where supervision is part of the job, it is expected you will assist other employees in their tasks where required.
• Able to implement personnel policies and practices including awards, EEO and OHS policies.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

• Ability to gain co-operation and assistance from members of the public, other employees, and other relevant internal and external clients in the performance and administration of defined activities.
• Ability to liaise with counterparts/peers in other organisations/municipalities to discuss specialist problems.

Job Functions :

Local

Job Benefits :

• Joining a positive and inclusive team culture.

• Being a leader of a team of early years professional delivering amazing early child

education outcomes to the communities of Yarriambiack Shire Council

• Ability to impact the outcomes of the future of our community.

Selling Point :

Fixed Term Contract to 30 June 2025 • Salary at Band 6 • Leadership role tasked with ensuring the highest quality kindergarten service delivery • Work with an extremely passionate, committed and skilled early years team

Contact :

Human Resources