Guidance Officer (FTE 0.6) - Mackay District Special School

An exciting opportunity has become available for a dedicated and passionate individual to join out leadership team. In this role you will provide professional expertise, leadership and support to school communities and networks in the development and implementation of plans, programs, and procedures to assist students in achieving positive educational, developmental and lifelong learning outcomes. You will achieve this by collaboratively negotiating, developing and implementing programs for students that have a focus on preventative and early intervention strategies are responsive to identified personal, social, emotional and educational needs and aim to foster resilience and personal skills development.

About Mackay District Special School

After its official name change in August 2002 from Kewarra Special School to Mackay District Special School, a transition from an institution to an educational facility began. Being Mackay and surrounding districts only special school, a positive outlook was sought to confidently and proudly bring this stronger school body to the community. Along with this advancement came a new generation of families and staff whose motivation was to promote awareness within the community, which successfully resulted in a recognised acceptance of the students.

Your Role

As the Guidance Officer you will have responsibility for, but not limited to, the following:

• Advocate, provide counselling, psychoeducational assessment and individual student support, recommendations and advice to students, teachers and parents concerning educational, behavioural, career development, mental health and family issues.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team and facilitate effective working relationships and partnerships with parents, school personnel and external support agencies in order to provide a comprehensive support, case management and referral service that optimises students' access and engagement in educational programs.
• Provide a counselling and referral service to assist students in decision making about critical educational, personal, social, emotional and career development, and provide ongoing support during the implementation phase of their decision.
• Conduct activities such as student observation and psychoeducational assessment in order to determine the nature of student learning difficulties, disability, developmental levels or psychological and emotional status in order to make recommendations for educational adjustments and interventions.

A mandatory requirement of this role is:

• Current full registration or current provisional registration with eligibility for full registration, as a teacher in Queensland. For more information please CLICK HERE.
• Teachers working in Education and Care Services (including State Delivered Kindergarten programs) require an exemption card issued by Blue Card Services. For more information please CLICK HERE.

AND one of the following;

• Completed coursework Masters, majoring in guidance and counselling, or an equivalent completed coursework Masters including study in the areas of psychoeducational assessment, counselling and mental health. OR
• General or provisional registration as a psychologist through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) Psychology Board. OR
• an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited four or five year qualification in psychology that will enable general registration as a psychologist following completion of a board approved internship or accredited sequence of study.

Interested? To apply:

• Attach a maximum 2 page brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (one of whom should be your current supervisor)
• Attach a maximum 2 page written response outlining your suitability for the role referring to the key capabilities (1-4 only) identified in the attached role description.
• Please note: Engagement in this position is subject to the person fully satisfying the COVID-19 vaccination requirements outlined in the attached Candidate Information Fact Sheet 2022. Applicants are asked to submit evidence of their COVID-19 vaccination with their application.

Applications remain current for 12 months from the closing date and may be considered for appointment to identical or similar vacancies within the Department. Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.