Kitchen Coordinator

Saints College; Ballarat; Hybrid; AUD 89,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

Saints College in Ballarat is seeking a Kitchen Coordinator to oversee the meals program for students in a safe, compliant kitchen. The role emphasizes nutritious, culturally inclusive meals and active engagement with students through food and hospitality while upholding food safety, OH&S and safeguarding standards.

The position offers ongoing employment under the Catholic Education Multi Enterprise Agreement 2022, with a salary range listed and a strong focus on collaboration with wellbeing

Qualifications

• Certificate in Food Handling or equivalent education and experience.
• Food Safety Supervisor Certificate or willingness to obtain.
• Ability to obtain a Working with Children Check and National Police Check.
• 3 years of experience in similar role.
• Ability to design and refine a school meals program that meets nutritional and cultural needs.
• Ability to manage kitchen budgets and purchasing.

Skills

Food Handling Certification

Food Safety Supervisor Certification

Working with Children Check

Kitchen budgeting

Menu planning

Staff coordination

Education

Certificate in Food Handling or equivalent education and experience

Job description

About us

Saints College is a school of the Edmund Rice Education Australia Victorian Schools Ltd. Since 2012, we have led that way in radically inclusive education, by providing a safe, inclusive, and flexible learning environment for young people who have experienced barriers to accessing mainstream education. Our team is committed to supporting young people in re-engaging with learning through neuroaffirming, strengths based and trauma-informed approaches that meet their individual needs.

We prioritise building honest and authentic relationships with young people, their families, and communities, fostering a culture that values, supports, and celebrates the dignity and uniqueness of each person.

We offer a full-time, multi-year secondary education program designed to meet the diverse learning needs of young people. Through flexible and innovative teaching methods, we provide a safe, supportive and holistic learning experience that encourages young people to set learning goals, identify and develop their strengths, explore future pathways, and transition into adulthood, employment, further education, and community participation.

Our campuses offer tailored programs that integrate wellbeing and education, ensuring young people receive the individualised support they need to thrive. We work closely with families, community organisations, and support services to provide wraparound support that addresses both educational and personal development needs.

Our Young People

Young people come from diverse backgrounds and often face a significant and complex range of educational, social, developmental, environmental, psychological, health, legal barriers to learning which require unique interventions. Our approach is grounded in the Operation By Principles framework, which combines education with an understanding of trauma-informed practices.

We recognise that each young person’s journey is unique. Our staff are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and empowering learning environment where young people can develop confidence, reconnect with education, and work towards their goals.

Our Team

Opened in 2024, our Ballarat campus is located in a beautifully restored historic school building. With specialist spaces for music, art, and woodwork, it supports up to 120 young people in a welcoming and creative environment. Many are seeking a calm, personalised learning space after experiencing challenges in mainstream education.

Job Description

The Role

The Kitchen Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the school’s meals program, ensuring the preparation and delivery of nutritious, culturally inclusive meals for students in a flexible learning environment. The position plays a key part in building connections with young people through food and hospitality, while maintaining compliance with food safety, OHS and child safeguarding standards.

You will be employed on an ongoingbasis, commencingas soon as possible, and will be employed under the Catholic Education Multi Enterprise Agreement 2022.

Classification for the role is a Category C ESS Level 4, with a salary range of $89,376 to $101,804(depending on education and experience).

Desired Skills and Experience

You will need

• Ability to commit to and work within our Operating Principles; Respect, Participation, Safe and Legal and Honesty
• Certificate in Food Handling or equivalent education and experience. Food Safety Supervisor Certificate (or willingness to obtain)
• Ability to obtain a Working with Children Check and provide a National Police Check certificate (issued within the last six months)
• 3 years of experience in similar role
• Ability to design, deliver and refine a school meals program that meets nutritional, cultural and logistical needs.
• Capacity to independently make day-to-day operational decisions (e.g., menu adjustments, resolving supply issues).
• Ability to apply knowledge of Food Safety, OH&S, and child safety regulations to maintain a fully compliant kitchen environment.
• Competency in managing kitchen budgets, purchasing, and maintaining financial records.
• Ability to involve students in food preparation in a safe, structured, and meaningful way.
• Able to work collaboratively with wellbeing teams, school staff, and external stakeholders to align kitchen operations with student support goals.
• Proven ability to prepare meals in bulk in accordance with dietary and cultural needs.
• Skills in managing kitchen workflows, equipment, hygiene protocols, and ordering processes.
• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills, especially in engaging young people with diverse and complex needs.
• High-level organisational and time management skills to meet food service deadlines consistently.
• Ability to respond calmly and effectively to changing circumstances, including student behaviours, attendance variations, and kitchen demands.
• Emotionally intelligent and able to maintain composure and clarity in a dynamic, at times high-pressure, environment.
• Unwavering dedication to promoting a child-safe environment and meeting all legal safeguarding obligations.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People are encouraged to apply, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value diversity.

We are a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice tradition and are recognised as a leading organisation for the provision of educational and social inclusion programs for disenfranchised young people.

All applicants will be subject to EREA’s and legislative screening procedures. These checks are consistent with our commitment to child protection policies and procedures. We are committed to ensuring the safety, wellbeing and dignity of all children and young people. Please review the Information Collection Notice on our website for details about how we manage your employment application information.

We are a child safe environment, committed to ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and participation of all children and young people under our care. All staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards MO1359. All staff abide by the Child Safety Code of Conduct available at: Child Safe Standards: Policy | saintscollege.vic.edu.au