Food Studies Assistant (ES1:2)

government schools; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Preston High School in Melbourne's northern suburbs seeks an Education Support Officer to assist in classrooms and practical activities. The role supports teachers, coordinates routine tasks, and may supervise students up to four in certain settings under teacher direction.

It involves collaboration, confidentiality, and a commitment to ongoing professional learning. The position excludes teaching responsibilities and follows school policy.

Qualifications

• Experience in education support tasks within a school setting.
• Ability to supervise students and coordinate classroom activities.
• Commitment to confidentiality and professional learning.

Responsibilities

• Prepare demonstrations under supervision or direction.
• Clean all work areas after practical classes.
• Wash, dry and fold linen used in practical classes.
• Maintain storage and supplies for teaching areas.
• Keep Class Teachers informed via email and meetings.
• Assist in organising and maintaining student and teacher resources.

Skills

Team collaboration

Oral and written communication

Confidentiality

Education

Education support qualification

Tools

Office 365

Job description

Occupation: Education and training

Location: Melbourne - Northern suburbs

Reference: 1551624

Location Profile

Preston High School is a co-educational secondary school that opened its doors to the first intake of Year 7s in 2019 and will grow to approximately 1,400 students by 2027.

Housed in a newly refurbished 1920s 2-storey red-brick school building alongside a new Stadium, Theatre and Arts centre, as well as a 4-storey vertical building, Preston High School is located in the heart of Preston and adjacent to the Preston Town Hall, Library, Market, High St and all Public Transport. The school¿s designated neighbourhood boundary encompasses parts of Preston, Thornbury, and Reservoir.

The school¿s mission is: Empowering Tomorrow¿s Leaders.

Selection Criteria

SC1 Demonstrated capacity to perform duties consistent with established guidelines and frameworks, including coordinating and supporting others in respect to specific work functions relevant to the role.

SC2 Demonstrated capacity to work and collaborate with others in a team environment.

SC3 Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively in a team environment, including high level oral and written communication skills.

SC4 Possess the technical knowledge and expertise relevant to the position.

SC5 Demonstrated capacity to provide advice and support to management and other school staff in respect to the work area.

SC6 A commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others.

Role

There is no attendance required during school holiday periods for this position.

An education support class position at this range will perform tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice, and school policy under supervision and direction. This may include coordination of other education support class staff within the work area or educational program.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students but must not include duties of a teacher as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students can be required individually or in groups up to 4 in controlled circumstances and where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

Certification and/or qualifications of up to three years can be required at this level (noting that Registered Nurse is not included at this level, the first level for which is Level 1 range 3).

A role at this range may include:

• Specific support tasks to achieve outcomes. Typically, this will involve accountability for a single function, (e.g. ensuring data is properly maintained) or the co-ordination of a work area under the direction of the principal or a manager.
• Assisting teachers, within an educational program, by undertaking specific support tasks or the coordination of the support function.
• Supervised health and wellbeing support tasks, medical intervention support tasks, or other specialised student/teacher support roles (e.g. enrolled nurses performing the role as described in schedule 3). These roles require specific qualifications and/or training, including roles where further training must be undertaken from time to time. The role is for a specific purpose, for which there will be direct accountability as opposed to support roles that are carried out by a range of staff performing routine tasks under direction.
• Technical tasks that require a sound knowledge of basic technical and/or scientific principles that are used to develop and adapt work methods and make judgements where there are clear guidelines and limited options. Routine technical support in libraries, science, and information technology would be typical examples.

An education support class position at this range commencing at the base will initially be limited to undertaking routine tasks that are carried out under close supervision and direction. Work that carries some degree of independence will generally involve a limited number of tasks performed on a regular basis where priorities are clear, procedures are well established, and direction is readily available. Subject to any specific qualification and/or training requirement, an education support class employee employed in this range may be progressively required to undertake coordination, specialisedstudent/teacher support tasks, or technical tasks as experience in the role is gained.

Responsibilities

Practical Demonstrations:

Under supervision or direction, prepare demonstration for classroom teacher

Cleaning Duties:

Clean all work areas after practical classes

Wash, dry and fold linen used as part of practical classes

Clean food storage areas ¿ refrigerators, freezers and pantry for example

Refill detergent containers at each work area as required

Equipment check of student workstations after practical classes

Ordering and Purchasing:

Order required food for each class, ensuring there is sufficient for all students

Order and purchase goods and supplies for a variety of teaching areas

Collect food from suppliers if required. Shopping duties as required

Maintain stores of staple ingredients ¿ flour, butter, spices and eggs for example

Other Duties:

Regularly check supplies of bulk products and use by dates

Package and store cooked foods, if required

Photocopy and archive recipes as required.

Maintain communication with Class Teachers through email and other meetings as required.

Keep storage facilities clean and tidy

Maintain kitchen and supplies across the school

Assist in organising and maintaining student and teacher resources across the school.

Operate in a professional, courteous, efficient manner always respecting confidentiality for all school staff, contractors, and students

Undertake other related duties as requested by the principal

Who May Apply

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

Diversity and Inclusion

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 [e-mail]

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.

Child Safe Standards

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:

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:

A specific response to the key selection criteria and position details. Preferably no more than one criterion per page, size 11 Arial (or equivalent) font where possible.

Conditions of Employment

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.

Applications close Sunday 22 November 2026 at 11.59pm