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SSS practitioner - Job Opportunity at Department of Education

Geelong, Australia
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: June 16, 2025
On-site
AUD 75,000 - 95,000 per year based on Victorian government pay scales for allied health professionals in education settings, with variations depending on specific professional qualification and experience level

Benefits

Opportunity to make meaningful impact on children and young people's lives with direct influence on educational outcomes and community wellbeing
Collaborative multidisciplinary team environment providing professional development through exposure to diverse expertise including psychology, occupational therapy, and behavior analysis
Comprehensive professional support system enabling autonomous practice while maintaining strong institutional backing
Diversity and inclusion commitment creating an equitable workplace that values all backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage
Geographic diversity offering exposure to varied educational settings across regional Victoria
Government employment stability with structured career progression pathways within the Victorian education system

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic assessment and consultation initiatives to transform teaching and learning outcomes for students requiring specialized support, directly impacting educational equity across the region
Lead collaborative program development with multidisciplinary teams to deliver evidence-based interventions that shape institutional approaches to student wellbeing and inclusion
Execute high-level stakeholder engagement through advanced communication and networking to build sustainable partnerships across the education community and external organizations
Provide autonomous professional judgment in complex case management situations, influencing policy implementation and program development at individual, group, school, and area levels
Deliver specialized expertise in trauma-informed practices and behavioral interventions that directly shapes educational staff capacity and student engagement outcomes
Generate comprehensive professional reports and documentation that inform systemic decision-making and contribute to area-wide strategic planning

Requirements

Education

Graduate or post-graduate qualification in psychology, occupational therapy, social work, applied behaviour analysis, or speech pathology depending on specialization

Experience

Professional registration and eligibility for membership in relevant professional associations

Required Skills

trauma informed practices complex presentations consulting with educational staff around behavioural and environmental adjustments highly developed communication skills including report-writing networking and interpersonal skills ability to work autonomously child and adolescent development

Certifications

Full Registration as a Psychologist with AHPRA (for psychology roles) Registration as an occupational therapist with AHPRA (for OT roles) Eligibility for membership of the Australia Association of Social Workers (for social work roles) Masters qualification in Applied Behaviour Analysis as specified by ABAA (for behavior analyst roles) Eligibility for membership of Speech Pathology Australia (for speech pathology roles) Current Australian Driver's Licence Working with Children Check
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The education sector is experiencing increased focus on trauma-informed practices and mental health support in schools, driven by growing recognition of the impact of adverse childhood experiences on learning outcomes. This trend has accelerated post-COVID, with governments investing heavily in student wellbeing infrastructure and multidisciplinary support teams. There is a significant shift toward evidence-based behavioral interventions and inclusive education practices, moving away from traditional disciplinary approaches to more therapeutic and supportive models that address underlying causes of behavioral challenges. Regional and rural education settings are increasingly prioritized for specialized support services, with government initiatives focusing on addressing educational inequities between metropolitan and regional areas through enhanced professional support structures.

Role Significance

Part of a multidisciplinary team of 8-12 allied health professionals covering the Barwon Area, with collaborative relationships extending across 17 areas within the South Western Victoria Region
Mid-level professional role with significant autonomous decision-making authority and direct influence on policy implementation at area level, positioned as a specialist contributor within the broader regional education framework

Key Projects

Development and implementation of trauma-informed practice frameworks across multiple schools within the Barwon Area Complex case management involving students with multiple support needs requiring coordinated multidisciplinary intervention Professional development and consultation programs for teaching staff to build capacity in behavioral support and inclusive education practices

Success Factors

Ability to navigate complex bureaucratic structures while maintaining focus on student outcomes and evidence-based practice Strong professional networking capabilities to build effective relationships across diverse stakeholder groups including schools, families, and community organizations Adaptability to work across varied educational settings from early childhood centers to secondary schools, each with unique cultural and operational contexts Advanced clinical reasoning skills to assess complex presentations and develop appropriate intervention strategies within educational frameworks

Market Demand

High demand driven by increased government investment in student wellbeing services and shortage of qualified allied health professionals willing to work in regional education settings

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Trauma-informed practice expertise is essential as schools increasingly recognize the prevalence of trauma among students and its impact on learning and behavior. This skill directly influences the effectiveness of interventions and the ability to train educational staff in appropriate response strategies. Advanced communication and consultation skills are fundamental to success in this role, as the practitioner must effectively translate complex psychological and therapeutic concepts into practical strategies that educators can implement in classroom settings. Autonomous professional judgment capabilities are crucial given the role's requirement to make independent decisions about complex cases while working within government frameworks and accountability structures.

Beneficial Skills

Knowledge of educational policy frameworks and government processes would enhance effectiveness in navigating the departmental structure and contributing to systemic change initiatives. Experience with data collection and analysis for program evaluation would support evidence-based practice requirements and contribute to departmental reporting and improvement processes. Understanding of cultural competency and Indigenous perspectives would be valuable given the department's commitment to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and communities.

Unique Aspects

Rare opportunity to work within a comprehensive multidisciplinary team structure that includes psychology, occupational therapy, speech pathology, social work, and behavior analysis expertise under one organizational umbrella
Direct influence on educational policy implementation through area-based insights and feedback mechanisms that shape departmental strategies and resource allocation
Geographic scope covering diverse educational settings from coastal communities to inland rural schools, providing exposure to varied socioeconomic and cultural contexts
Integration of early childhood and school-age services creating continuity of support across developmental stages

Career Growth

Typically 3-5 years to progress to senior specialist roles, with potential for leadership positions within 5-7 years depending on performance and additional qualifications

Potential Next Roles

Senior Student Support Services roles with team leadership responsibilities Area-level coordination positions overseeing multiple schools and early childhood services Policy development roles within central office focusing on student wellbeing and inclusion Training and professional development coordinator positions

Company Overview

Department of Education

The Victorian Department of Education is one of Australia's largest education providers, responsible for delivering education services to over 650,000 students across the state. As a major government department, it plays a crucial role in shaping educational policy and outcomes across Victoria, with significant influence on national education trends and practices.

Leading position as the primary government education provider in Victoria, with substantial budget allocation and political priority for education reform initiatives, particularly in areas of student wellbeing and inclusive education
Strong regional presence through the Schools and Regional Services division, with structured support systems designed to address the unique challenges of delivering quality education services across diverse geographic and demographic contexts
Public service environment characterized by strong emphasis on equity, diversity, and evidence-based practice, with collaborative decision-making processes and commitment to professional development and career progression
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