Maintenance & Grounds Assistant - ES1-3

Government schools; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

East Doncaster Secondary College is seeking a Maintenance and Grounds Assistant to sustain our grounds, gardens and external facilities, including ovals, paths and drainage. The role supports OH&S tasks and ensures a welcoming, safe environment for students and staff.

H Hours 7:30am-3:30pm, Monday to Friday with school holiday attendance negotiable. The successful candidate will work with the Facilities Manager, supporting maintenance and event setups while adhering to Child Safe Standards and

Qualifications

• Experience maintaining school grounds and external facilities including gardens, ovals, paths, drainage, playgrounds, fencing, basic irrigation and waste/recycling.
• Ability to manage time, prioritise tasks and work with minimal supervision while contributing to a collaborative school environment.
• Effective communication and cooperative work with leadership, teachers, education support staff and contractors.
• Knowledge of safe work practices, risk assessments, manual handling, ladder safety, chemical storage, SWMS/permits and safety around students.
• Ability to navigate unexpected challenges with flexibility and contribute to school culture.

Responsibilities

• Handle day-to-day maintenance as directed by Facilities Manager (lockers, buildings, grounds, furniture, general repairs and OH&S)
• Maintain grounds, equipment and work areas in a safe, orderly and secure manner
• Assist with school events to ensure grounds, facilities, furniture and security meet event needs
• Maintain essential services knowledge of mechanical, gas, electrical and hydraulic systems
• Move and arrange furniture for events and exams as required
• Respond promptly to maintenance requests from Facilities Manager
• Ensure broken/damaged equipment is repaired or disposed of promptly
• Assist with allocation and maintenance of student lockers
• Keep tools and equipment in good operating condition and stored safely
• Maintain gardens and recreation areas; perform debris removal and sanitation tasks
• Maintain cleanliness of school grounds and manage litter removal
• Follow OH&S and risk management procedures to ensure a safe working environment
• Uphold safety and security during school events and daily operations
• The range of duties may expand or change as directed by school leadership
• Work independently with sound judgment and initiative
• Operate professionally and confidentially when interacting with staff, contractors and students
• Complete required online training modules and child safety checks
• Must hold a current Working with Children Check (Employee)
• Previous general maintenance or trade experience is preferred

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Time management

Communication with stakeholders

Safety awareness

Adaptability / resilience

Job description

SC 1. Demonstrated experience maintaining grounds and external facilities (gardens/ovals, paths, drainage, playgrounds, fencing, basic irrigation and waste/recycling), including seasonal tasks and presentation standards.

SC 2. Proven ability to manage time, prioritise tasks, and carry out duties with minimal supervision, while also contributing positively to a collaborative school environment.

SC 3. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with leadership, teachers, education support staff and contractors.

SC 4. Demonstrated knowledge and application of safe work practices relevant to maintenance (risk assessments, manual handling, ladder/height safety, chemical storage, SWMS/permits where applicable) and an understanding of operating safely around students consistent with Child Safe Standards.

SC 5. Demonstrated ability to effectively navigate unexpected challenges, demonstrating flexibility and resilience in meeting the evolving needs and circumstances of the school environment. Demonstrated capacity to contribute to the culture of a school.

Selection Criteria

SC 1. Demonstrated experience maintaining grounds and external facilities (gardens/ovals, paths, drainage, playgrounds, fencing, basic irrigation and waste/recycling), including seasonal tasks and presentation standards.

SC 2. Proven ability to manage time, prioritise tasks, and carry out duties with minimal supervision, while also contributing positively to a collaborative school environment.

SC 3. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with leadership, teachers, education support staff and contractors.

SC 4. Demonstrated knowledge and application of safe work practices relevant to maintenance (risk assessments, manual handling, ladder/height safety, chemical storage, SWMS/permits where applicable) and an understanding of operating safely around students consistent with Child Safe Standards.

SC 5. Demonstrated ability to effectively navigate unexpected challenges, demonstrating flexibility and resilience in meeting the evolving needs and circumstances of the school environment. Demonstrated capacity to contribute to the culture of a school.

Role

Hours7.30am-3.30pmMondaytoFriday

SchoolHolidayattendancerequirementsforthispositioncanbenegotiated, however, will be required at times up to a maximum of 30 days per year. A leave purchase allowance will be paid for school holiday attendance.

The Maintenance and GroundsAssistant fulfills an important role in the presentation and upkeep of school grounds and the provision of OH&S tasks as outlined in Department Policy. It is expected that they will provide a high level of attention to detail ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for students, staff and visitors to theCollegeandbecompetentintheprovisionofuptodateandrelevantinformation.

An education support class position atthis range will perform tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice, and school policy under supervisionanddirection.Thismayincludecoordinationofothereducationsupport class staff within the work area or educational program.

Responsibilities

• Dealing withall day-to-day maintenance requirements of the College as directed by the Facilities Manager (e.g.lockers, buildings, grounds, furniture, general repairsand emergency work (Occupational Health and Safety)

• Maintaining grounds, equipment and workareas in a safe, orderly and secure manner

• Other duties as determined by the College Principal/Business Manager

• Being familiar with the essential services such as mechanical, gas, electrical and hydraulic systems of the schools

• Undertaking the maintenance, repair and movement of furniture. This includes movement of furniture for special events, exams etc.

• Responding in a timely manner to maintenance requests from the Facilities Manager.

• Ensuring that broken/damaged equipment is repaired or disposed of in a timely manner

• Assisting with the allocation and maintenance of student lockers

• Keeping all tools, plant and equipment maintained in good operating condition and stored in a safe manner.

• Maintenance of gardens and recreation areas

• External blowing/vacuuming of leaves and debris as per school schedule.

• Emptying bins (rubbish and recycling) and maintaining in a sanitary condition.

• Spot cleaning as required

• Maintaining the cleanliness of the school grounds by ensuring all litter is picked up and disposed of regularly

• Assisting in maintaining a safe and healthy working environment by following OH&S and risk management procedures

• School events - setting up of school events to ensure matters such as grounds, facilities, furniture, equipment, cleaning and security meet the needs of the school and event

• The range of duties may be expanded or altered at any time in the future or as directed by the Principal, Business Manager or Facilities Manager in accordance with ES1-3 Dimensions of Work

• Working independently with confidence and initiative, including prioritising workloads.

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

• Undertake required online training modules and hearing testing

• Must have a current Working with Children's Check Employee

• Previous experience in general maintenance, handyman work or trade background preferred

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*******@education.vic.gov.au

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:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

DE Values

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:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

Other Information

Successful applicant will be required to hold a current Victorian Working With Children Check - Employee.

Mandatory Reporting, Anaphylaxis Training and OHS Modules required to be undertaken.

We ask applicants to please include the contact details of three current professional referees, including a referee from your current or immediate past employer and a principal where previous school employment was undertaken. Please include their name, title, organisation, email address and phone number.

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.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal

Location Profile

East Doncaster Secondary College, situated in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, is a large, co-educational school with a focus on high academic achievement, excellence in teaching and learning and student connectedness and wellbeing.

The College has an enrolment of approximately 2300 students and 223 teaching and education support staff.

As a College, we strive to develop passionate lifelong learners who are creative and critical thinkers with the confidence and resilience to thrive in the global community. We want students to experience a sense of achievement and growth in their academic, personal, social and emotional development. The College values of curiosity, excellence, fairness, respect, resilience, teamwork and care and compassion reflect these desired outcomes.

We have high expectations that our students will commit to being supportive of each other as they strive for success as learners. Our catch phrase for learning is Creating a Culture of Curiosity. We strive to ensure that there is a focus on learning improvement for every student.As a result, our student achievement data is excellent across a range of data sets and year levels.

Diversity adds to the richness and quality of the students educational experience at East Doncaster Secondary College. We are proudly multicultural across more than 50 nationalities, with a strong and established International Student Program.

The College offers an array of alternative pathway options to enable greater flexibility in our ability to cater for individual needs. Students have access to external VET provision and a high quality Vocational Major VCE pathway.

At East Doncaster Secondary College, we are committed to child safety. We strive to ensure that our students are safe, happy and empowered.Through a holistic approach to wellbeing, the College offer an extensive overlay program, Positive Futures, as a means of visibly addressing the social and emotional needs of our students in a multi-dimensional and integrated approach.

As a high performing school, East Doncaster Secondary College prides itself on the creation of a learning environment where student academic, sporting, music and achievements in the arts are recognised and celebrated. Underlying the focus on excellence is the recognition that such outcomes can best be achieved in an environment where students are happy, healthy and connected.

Copies of the School Strategic Plan, Annual Implementation Plan and School Policies can be accessed via the school website www.eastdonsc.vic.edu.au

For information regarding East Doncaster Secondary College Child Safety Standards and practices, including Code of Conduct please go to https://www.eastdonsc.vic.edu.au/our-college/documents-policies-reports/