Blue Light Victoria is currently seeking engaging, experienced facilitators and/or teachers with experience working with upper primary school children to lead and facilitate our DASH program across the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Victoria.

Organisation Background

Blue Light Victoria (BLV) is an independent, for-purpose organisation with a vision to inspire, engage and equip young people to be their best self. Working with young people between the ages of 10-21 years, BLV provides youth engagement opportunities building resilience and wellbeing through interactive programs across Victoria. BLV partners with a wide array of stakeholders to deliver these initiatives, including community organisations, Victoria Police, emergency services and primary and secondary schools.

Programs facilitated across the state enable approximately 20,000 young people to participate in a BLV event or program each year.

We offer flexible working arrangements and training and development opportunities.

The DASH! Program

BLV has recently been successful in securing funding for the delivery of ‘DASH!’ – a program for Years 5 and 6 students, across the local government areas of Northern and Southern Grampians, Pyrenees, Ararat and Golden Plains. Facilitators will need to be based locally in these areas or within relatively close proximity.

The program encourages awareness of local community and builds relationships with ‘community experts’ through a range of modalities, experiences and skill building. Students explore issues of significance in a fun and active way, and design collaborative, action-based projects, culminating in an interactive demonstration of their learning.

DASH is facilitated in the classroom by Blue Light Victoria staff and supported by our key partners such as Victoria Police, emergency services and other relevant community agencies. This approach provides a unique opportunity for students to engage beyond the school and to interact directly with their community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Preparation prior to program delivery
  • Attend facilitator training sessions.
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of DASH program content.
  • Attend meetings
  • Manage program materials.
• Delivery of DASH program across primary schools
  • Travel to schools across the region to facilitate the DASH program in an engaging manner.
  • Facilitate programs to maximise engagement and meet intended program outcomes.
  • Deliver information sessions in person or virtually to school staff and parents.
  • Provide a safe, comfortable environment for students.
  • Enable deep discussions.
  • Build rapport with program participants and enable rapport building between ‘community experts’ and students.
  • Work collaboratively with DASH stakeholders and staff.
• Stakeholder Management.
  • Maintain positive relationships with schools and local community services.
  • Communicate directly with police, emergency and community service members who will be participating in the program.
  • Represent Blue Light Victoria positively and professionally
• Basic program administration.
  • Manage calendar including scheduling of programs and school site visits.
  • Complete program evaluation and reporting within required timeframes.
  • Undertake risk assessments and Incident reporting as required.
• Liaise regularly with the Program Manager and/or Training and Development Manager to provide feedback on individual sessions and program progress
• Travel within base area locations as well as some travel to Melbourne will be required.

Essential Selection Criteria

• Highly developed and engaging communication and facilitation skills
• Ability to read a room and adapt to a wide range of situations and audiences.
• Ability to take themes and program objectives and unpack them into deeper conversations with a group of upper primary school aged students
• Experience in teaching and or group facilitation
• An ability to receive and grow in response to feedback
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills and ability to interact with diverse groups of people.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills
• A national police check, Working with Children Check and proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.
• Drivers license and access to a car

Desirable Selection Criteria

• Experience working with upper primary school aged children
• Experience and understanding of inquiry based learning
• Mental Health First Aid qualification

Hours and basis of employment

• Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award
• Full-time – 36 hours per week. Fixed Term Contract. Will also consider part-time applications.

We are seeking 4 positions based across these regions.

Application Process

Please include the following in your application:

• Cover letter that summarises how you fit the Selection Criteria
• A current CV

Applications will only be considered if they include all required components.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. If you are successful for an interview you will also be required to submit a short 1-2 minute video (filmed on your phone is fine) introducing yourself and either discussing or demonstrating how you would explain empathy to students from grade 5 and 6. If you have any questions about the role, please email [email protected] using the subject line: Program Facilitators - Primary School Program - Regional Victoria enquiry via EthicalJobs.

People with diverse experiences are highly encouraged to apply. This includes but is not limited to, people with lived experience in caring roles, First Nations, people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, people with disabilities and members of the LGBTIQA+ community.

A position description is attached.