Student Support Officer – NSW


About the role

Community Engagement

  • Establish and maintain relationships with program stakeholders including students, their families and schools, particularly in relation to academic supports and camp attendance and engagement.
  • Create and implement an annual schedule of stakeholder touch points such as face-to-face meetings, telephone contact, social media contact, community events and school-based events.
  • Design and deliver a range of community events to build rapport and engagement with High School Program participants, families, schools and other relevant stakeholders.
  • Monitor and report on effectiveness of engagement activities and make recommendations for improvements, where necessary.
  • Record all stakeholder contact in Dynamics.

Student Selection

  • Where required, attend meetings with schools or deliver presentations to promote the program and engage their support.
  • Implement student selection processes, evaluate applications and make recommendations for selection.
  • Facilitate the completion of sign-on documentation.

Wrap-Around Student Support

  • Facilitate the collection of student information including school reports, NAPLAN results, health and wellbeing information and family status and record on the relevant databases.
  • Work with individual students, families and schools to understand l academic and social support requirements.
  • Arrange for the purchase of key academic tools, equipment, resources and tutoring in line with approved Academic Support Plans.
  • Consult with the Student Support Officer on a regular basis to ensure appropriate tutoring support and understand its impact on students’ academic improvement.
  • Manage academic support spending for student cohorts in line with annual budget.
  • Refer students to additional support services as needed.
  • Identify students at risk of disengagement with the program and consult relevant team members to remedy.

Academic Camps

  • Participate in the design and organisation of Academic Enrichment Camps (up to 3 per year).
  • Provide hands-on assistance with the organisation / logistics of each camp, as required.
  • Support Program Coordinator with residential camps, working to manage the environment, support the students and facilitate activities.
  • Participate in post-camp evaluations and contribute to continuous improvement.

Child Safety / Working with Vulnerable People

  • Comply with the National Child Safety, Code of Conduct and Procedure.
  • Provide a welcoming and safe environment for children and young people.
  • Promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people associated with the program.
  • Interact with children and young people in ways which are positive and safe.
  • When required, provide adequate care and supervision of children and young people associated with the program.
  • Act as a positive role model for children and young people.
  • Report to an appropriate person any suspicions, concerns, allegations or disclosures of alleged abuse against children and young people.

Organisational Participation

  • Work collaboratively with team members to contribute broadly to the achievement of Aurora objectives. 
  • Participate in organisational and team planning initiatives.
  • Contribute to the smooth running of the office by undertaking general administrative duties, as requested.
  • Provide regular reporting as required.
  • Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and for that of others in the workplace by working in accordance with legislative requirements and Aurora’s policies and procedures.
  • Undertake other responsibilities and duties within the scope of this role, as directed.
  • Undertake other responsibilities and duties within the scope of this role, as directed.

Selection Criteria

  • To be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under s14a of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW). 
  • A demonstrated understanding of or capacity to learn about Indigenous histories, cultures, organisations and the systemic barriers that Indigenous peoples face in realising their aspirations for their communities and families.
  • The ability to communicate effectively with Indigenous people, stakeholders and organisations.
  • Tertiary qualifications or working towards qualifications.
  • Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Good business writing capabilities.
  • An organized, methodical and task-oriented approach to work with good time management skills.
  • Strong analytical skills.
  • Strong attention to detail and fast, accurate data entry skills.
  • Willingness and availability to attend residential camps during school holidays.
  • Highly developed computer literacy, including the use of CRMs and / or other databases.

Other Requirements

  • Willingness to obtain a Working With Children Check.
  • Satisfactory national police check ((outcome of this check is assessed on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily exclude you).
  • Driver’s licence preferable.