MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people. Every person at MacKillop has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every person’s cultural or linguistic background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, intersex status, relationship status, religion or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, age, and abilities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Multiple Positions Available:

Full-time Fixed (until 03/10/2023) opportunity based in Ballarat, VIC within our MacKillop Education Services Program.

Part-time Fixed (22.8 hours per week – 0.6 EFT until 02/10/2023) opportunity based in Ballarat, VIC within our MacKillop Education Services Program.

Our offer:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – free and confidential counselling, coaching and emotional support for work and personal challenges
• Generous Salary Packaging up to $18,500 (helps increase your take home pay)
• Ongoing Career Development, Education and Training
• Click HERE to find out more about becoming a member of the MacKillop Family Services team and what further support we have to offer our employees.

Position Purpose:

The central goal of MacKillop Family Services is to support, to foster hope and to promote justice for children, young people and their families, particularly those who experience distress, disadvantage and abuse. Education is central to that goal.

Children in Out-of-Home Care are a high priority client group of MacKillop Education, as are adolescents at risk of leaving school without vocational skills. MacKillop Education currently provides education support to these young people through outreach programs from four sites: Geelong, Maidstone, Warrnambool and Caulfield. We also offer education support through our Children in Residential Care Programs (CIRC) and the Western Education Support Team Program (WEST).

Our schools in Geelong (Foundation to VCAL), Maidstone (Years 3 to 6), and Caulfield (Foundation to Year 10, commencing with Years 3 to 6 in 2020) cater for students who are disengaged, or at risk of disengaging, from education. The education programs provide flexible learning pathways and they equip participants with the skills they need to re-enter mainstream school, or, for senior students, to take up employment or further education options, including traineeships and apprenticeships.

The XTend Program in Geelong caters for young people aged 12 to 17 years, who are engaged with mental health services and/or child protection.

Our Outreach Paw Pals Program focuses on building student engagement and confidence and enhancing learning outcomes. This will be facilitated through Animal Assisted Educational (AAE) based activities and individualised learning sessions, working alongside trained therapy dogs and program facilitators. AAE is a planned and structured student intervention with specific academic and educational goals.

Primary Objectives:

• To improve learning outcomes for children and young people in Out-of-Home Care and primary and secondary school settings, using a specialised Animal Assisted Education Curriculum
• To foster a collaborative approach with educational and community services stakeholders
• To ensure the Paw Pals Animal Assisted Education Program meets the complex needs of vulnerable and at-risk young people.

Key Selection Criteria:

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Experience working with a therapy dog, in an educational setting
• Relevant qualification and experience in working with animal assisted therapies, as well as owning a qualified therapy dog (teaching qualification preferred)
• Experience working with vulnerable and at-risk young people and an understanding of how trauma impacts on learning
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written

Please address the full Key Selection Criteria outlined in the PD as part of your application.

For a full listing please view the attached Position Description.

You must have a:

• Valid and current Driver’s Licence;
• Satisfactory Criminal History Check;
• Valid Working with Children Check;
• Valid and current NDIS Workers Screening Check (for risk assessed / client facing roles)

How to Apply: Click 'Apply Now' where you will be prompted to proceed with your application via the Ethical Jobs website.

For more information, please contact:

Sarah Castle at [email protected] using the subject line: Program Facilitators - Paw Pals - Ballarat enquiry via EthicalJobs or on 0418 302 195.

It is our goal that MacKillop Family Services continues to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.

Shortlisting for this position may commence immediately so please submit your application as soon as possible.