Head Start School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT) Support Officer - 3 roles - Ovens Murray

Department of Education Victoria; Ovens; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Education Victoria is seeking a Head Start SBAT Support Officer to help Victorian government school students explore or undertake SBATs. The role involves direct case-management, providing accurate SBAT information, and linking students with suitable employers across the Ovens Murray area.

Based within the Jobs, Skills and Pathways team, you will coordinate with JSPMs and HDC to navigate SBAT systems, monitor progress, and maintain high-quality data for reporting.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to manage student/client cases.
• Proficient with digital tools and data entry.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with Victorian government school contacts to promote Head Start and SBATs.
• Case-manage SBAT readiness and support plans for students.
• Ensure accurate data reporting and compliance with Department of Education policies.

Skills

Case management

Data and digital literacy

Stakeholder engagement

Written and verbal communication

Working with young people

Job description

Head Start School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT) Support Officer - 3 roles - Ovens Murray

Department of Education Victoria – Ovens VIC

23h ago , from Department of Education & Training Victoria

Join a passionate team dedicated to creating better education, training and employment opportunities for young Victorians.

3Head Start SBAT Support officer roles are available in the Ovens Murray Area.

• 1 FTE
• 0.7 FTE X 2

Based within the Jobs, Skills and Pathways Team, these roles are located in Ovens Murray and will involve travel throughout the area. The role may be based in any office across the Area; this will be determined as part of the recruitment process.

As a member of Schools and Regional Services (SRS) you will be part of a division that offers central, regional, and local expertise to enhance learning and development outcomes, supported by a diverse and geographically dispersed workforce. It comprises 17 areas within 4 regions, backed by 5 central office divisions, all collaborating to deliver improved outcomes for early childhood services, schools, communities, and learners, in line with Education State commitments.

SRS regions include divisions specialising in school performance, student wellbeing and early childhood support, working with area-based teams to tailor local interventions and practices. The 17 areas provide crucial insights into local trends and issues, facilitating effective policy and program development and driving child and learner outcomes across all services and programs.

Selection Criteria

DE Values

Demonstrated ability to model and support colleagues to adopt behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated ability to reflect upon professional practice and engage in professional learning to continually improve program quality.

Communication

Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate with a diversity of stakeholders to support positive student outcomes and accurate documentation of student progress.

Relationships and stakeholder engagement

Demonstrated high-level interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to work appropriately with young people with diverse backgrounds and needs, and to maintain supportive relationships with and between school staff, parents/carers, employers and training providers.

Data and digital skills

Demonstrated proficiency in the use of digital platforms and tools. Demonstrated ability to effectively input and manage program data in accordance with Department of Education policy, and to contribute to analysis of data to inform program practices.

Case management

Demonstrated exemplary case management skills. Demonstrated ability to monitor and evaluate student growth, identify appropriate cross-disciplinary supports and interventions to meet student needs, and develop learning goals to promote student agency.

Role

An exciting opportunity exists to join the Jobs, Skills and Pathways team, and support the delivery of theHead Start program in Victorian government schools.

About Head Start:

Head Start supports students in years 10 to 12 to participate in School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs). SBATs develop skills, capabilities and confidence that employers in growth industries need. Head Start provides a range of supports to assist students to undertake an SBAT as part of their senior secondary education.

Head Start in 2027, 2028 and 2029:

The 2026-27 State Budget allocated $46 million over years 2027, 2028 and 2029 towards the Head Start program, to support every Victorian government secondary school to access an effective model of SBAT support.

The Head Start model aims to increase year 12 completion rates and assist in addressing skill shortages to grow the Victorian economy, supporting all Victorian government school students that want to pursue an apprenticeship or traineeship to access an SBAT pathway aligned with their strengths and pathway aspirations. The model provides tailored supports to SBATs to simultaneously complete school and build skills they need to develop sustainable careers.

• Identify and pursue sustainable apprenticeship and traineeship pathways
• Have access to required supports to undertake an SBAT aligned to their strengths and aspirations
• Be safe and supported in the workplace, complete school and progress to full-time apprenticeships or traineeships
• Pathway to available jobs that address Victorian skills gaps

About the Head Start SBAT Support Officer role:

The role of the Head Start SBAT Support Officer is to provide tailored assistance to Victorian government school students exploring or undertaking an SBAT. This involves direct case-management of students, providing them with accurate and unbiased information about SBATs, evaluating their readiness to commence an SBAT, and using student insights to effectively pair them with a potential SBAT employer. Working closely with the area Jobs, Skills and Pathways Manager (JSPM), and Head Start Delivery Coordinator (HDC), the role supports individual students and schools to effectively navigate the Apprenticeship and Traineeship system to achieve positive SBAT outcomes. The role is also responsible for input of quality data to monitor program delivery and supporting SBAT employers to provide safe and supportive workplaces for students, including identifying and responding to emerging workplace issues and risks.

The successful applicant will demonstrate an understanding of:

• Vocational and applied learning,
• Apprenticeship/traineeship systems, and/or
• VET from an industry or school perspective

With an understanding of any of the following being highly desirable:

• Senior secondary school context, and/or
• Assessment of student readiness to undertake an SBAT; and/or
• SBAT context
• Role of industry in apprenticeships/traineeships or SBATs
• Youth support programs/services

The successful applicant will demonstrate skills and experience in:

• Case management (planning and review, risk management and problem solving)
• Data and digital literacy
• Stakeholder management and communication skills
• Professional judgement and accountability
• Adaptability, flexibility and reliability
• Initiative and contribution to workplace culture
• Working with young people/student centred approaches

Role conditions

• Role location is area-based but specific work location(s) will be determined as part of the recruitment process
• This role reports to the area Jobs, Skills and Pathways Manager (JSPM)
• Work-related travel will be covered in accordance with Victorian government and Department of Education policies

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key Victorian government school contacts to facilitate and promote Head Start and SBATs within each school
• Maintain Head Start policy and procedural compliance, high-quality data practices, and commitment to continuous improvement
• Case-manage aspiring, prospective and current SBATs through application of SBAT readiness framework, development of SBAT support plans, engagement with SBAT employer pairing process, ongoing support for SBAT progress, and contact with parents, families and carers where appropriate
• Evaluate individual student readiness to undertake an SBAT, and (where required) triage to appropriate supports within the Victorian government school system based on student need
• Work collaboratively with Head Start Delivery Coordinator (HDC), key school contacts, training providers and SBAT employers to resolve emerging student, school or stakeholder issues
• Contribute to accurate and timely reporting of operational activities and delivery outcomes, including escalating significant student safety, wellbeing, participation or program risks to Head Start Delivery Coordinator (HDC)
• Adhere to and promote relevant Department of Education policies and procedures, including Child Safe Standards
• Collaborate with Jobs, Skills and Pathways (JSP) team members to support other JSP workstreams and broader career education and Senior Secondary pathways initiatives
• Undertake and engage with training provided by the Department of Education, and other duties as required
• Any other duties as directed by manager.

Who May Apply

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

A current Victorian driver's licence is required.

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