Food Technology Assistant

State Government of Victoria, Australia; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Mernda Central College in Melbourne's northern suburbs seeks an Education Support Class employee to assist teachers and students under supervision. The role includes coordinating support tasks, data maintenance, and contributing to a safe learning environment.

Applicants should have related qualifications and readiness to work within school policies. The position emphasizes teamwork, communication, and adherence to child safety standards to support student learning outcomes.

Qualifications

• Possess the technical knowledge and expertise relevant to the position.
• Demonstrated capacity to work and collaborate with others in a team environment.
• Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively in a team environment, including high level oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to provide advice and support to management and other school staff in respect to the work area.
• A commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others.

Responsibilities

• Assisting and providing support to teaching staff and students to facilitate student learning in the classroom.
• Accepting delivery and storage of produce and food supplies.
• Organising and maintaining pantry stock levels and used‑by‑dates.
• Preparing food ingredients for practical classes.
• Maintaining presentation and cleanliness of food preparation areas, equipment and appliances.
• To maintain a high standard of cleanliness within the kitchen and prep areas.
• Ensure OH&S compliance according to DET and government regulations.
• A clear commitment to child safety.
• To uphold the child safety standards as outlined in our Child Safety policy and Child Safety Code of Conduct.
• Any other duties as directed by the College Principal.

Skills

Technical knowledge

Teamwork

Communication

Advising management

Professional learning

Education

Certificate/Diploma in education support

Experience in school environment

Job description

Occupation: Education and training

Location: Melbourne - Northern suburbs

Reference: 1543644

Location Profile

Mernda Central P-12 College operates under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. Through this model, the College has been financed, designed, and constructed by the private sector to meet high contractual standards. This allows our Principal and teaching staff to focus on what matters most, student learning while asset management is handled externally.

Located at 70 Breadalbane Avenue in Mernda, within the City of Whittlesea, our College caters to students from Prep to Year 12. Our state-of-the-art facilities reflect modern educational design, offering adaptable and functional spaces that support active, student-centred learning.

Mernda Central College offers a seamless educational journey from Prep through to Year 12. The school is structured into four sub-schools to support students at every stage of their development:

• Junior School: Prep to Year 4
• Middle School: Years 5 to 7
• Aspire: Years 8 to 9
• Senior School: Years 10 to 12

Our curriculum and teaching strategies are designed to encourage students to aim high, take pride in their work, and strive for excellence.

Student leadership is a valued part of college life. Leadership opportunities are available across all year levels, supported by training and development programs. Students are encouraged to take initiative, contribute their voice, and help shape the future of the College.

Designed as a community hub, Mernda Central College fosters strong partnerships with the YMCA and Downer to provide shared facilities and community programs. The relationships between staff, students, families, and the wider community are a key strength of the College. Parent involvement in school life is highly valued and contributes significantly to the success of our learning community.

Our Vision
Mernda Central College empowers all members of the college community to aim high, show respect, behave safely, and value our community.

Our Mission

• Provide opportunities for all members to work collaboratively in accessing a seamless, personalised, and innovative education.
• Build a safe and supportive learning environment where all members are challenged and inspired to pursue their interests and achieve their full potential.
• Operate as a community hub to foster connected, curious, and tolerant global citizens.

Selection Criteria

SC1 Possess the technicalknowledge and expertise relevant to the position.

SC2Demonstrated capacity to work and collaborate with others in a team environment.

SC3Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively in a team environment, including high level oral and written communication skills.

SC4 Demonstrated capacity to provide advice and support to management and other school staff in respect to the work area.

SC5 A commitment to professional learning and growthfor both self and others.

Role

Attendance requirement for this position: 7.30 am - 3.30 pm

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

• Assisting and providing support to teaching staff and students to facilitate student learning in the classroom.
• Accepting delivery and storage of produce and food supplies.
• Organising and maintaining pantry stock levels and used‑by‑dates.
• Preparing food ingredients for practical classes.
• Maintaining presentation and cleanliness of food preparation areas, equipment and appliances.
• To maintain a high standard of cleanliness within the kitchen and prep areas.
• Ensure OH&S compliance according to DET and government regulations.
• A clear commitment to child safety.
• To uphold the child safety standards as outlined in our Child Safety policy and Child Safety Code of Conduct.
• Any other duties as directed by the College 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‑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:

• 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 Monday 28 September 2026 at 11.59pm