NZ Ministry of Education Looking for Special Education Advisor at Bay of Plenty Full Time

Tauranga

Permanent, part-time (0.4 FTE)

• We have a big and important job to do, and we need your help
• Make a real difference in children and young people’s lives
• Work as part of a trans-disciplinary team of dedicated professionals

Use your specialist skills and experience to help maximise learning and promote social inclusion for children and young people with learning support needs.

Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education is looking for a permanent, part-time Special Education Advisor to be part of a close-knit, community-focused team that maximises learning and promotes social inclusion for children and young people with learning support needs.

This role is based at our Tauranga Office offering a fantastic lifestyle and work-life balance opportunity. Applicants who live in the surrounding Bay of Plenty areas and are willing to commute may also be interested in this role.

Help shape the future of Education

He mea tārai e mātou te mātauranga kia rangatira ai, kia mana taurite ai ōna huanga

We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes

At Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education, we work to provide services and support nationally, regionally and locally to the education sector, and in some cases, directly to ākonga and whānau.

We help shape the policies, settings and performance of the education system for early learning, schooling and tertiary. We do this by building relationships and understanding the needs of those who receive our services.

We are making significant changes to how we deliver our mahi by

• Taking practical action to give effect to te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Giving priority to regional and local voice.
• Delivering greater responsiveness, accessibility and integrated services and support.
• Improving feedback loops and information flows.

About our group and team

Te Mahau | Te Tai Whenua (Central) is a frontline group. Our frontline groups will collectively provide leadership and integrated services to the sector and others. This includes services such as learning support and education advice, and regulation functions for schools and early learning services.

Learning Support is a critical part of the Te Mahau | Te Tai Whenua (Central) Group in the Ministry. We are charged with leading the education sector in ensuring that children and young people with additional learning needs are supported to achieve their full potential through education.

Our Learning Support specialists work closely with families, whānau, caregivers, schools and early childhood educators in English and Māori medium settings and other agencies to help maximise learning outcomes and promote social inclusion.

To learn more about Learning Support, the roles we offer, frequently asked questions, and more, click here.

Mō tēnei tūranga | About this role

As a Special Education Advisor, you will play a critical role in our region’s Learning Support team by:

• Identifying patterns or contributing factors that may be influencing learning, wellbeing and behaviour.
• Supporting parents and whānau, teachers and schools to meet the learning support needs of children and young people.
• Developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with a range of professional partners, community and sector groups and support agencies to ensure that services are coordinated and effective.
• Enhancing inclusive practices in early learning services, schools and other educational settings.
• Assessing, collaboratively planning, supporting and monitoring the implementation of individual (or group) intervention plans.

A primary focus for this role is supporting learning institutions who have children receiving Ongoing Resourcing Support (ORS) and assisting them to prepare quality ORS applications.

Mōhou ake | About you

To be successful you will need:

• A Bachelor of Teaching or Postgraduate Diploma in Special Education/Education Psychology.
• Experience working with children and young people with learning needs in a classroom or other relevant setting.
• Experience of supporting other education professionals to meet the needs of children and young people with additional needs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively with children, young people and their families/whānau and teachers across a diverse range of settings.
• Advanced writing skills: recent experience writing ORS applications is desirable.
• The ability to understand and apply the principles of Te Tirirti o Waitangi and tangatawhenuatanga.

Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi? | Are you ready to make a difference?

We need to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, orientations, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to building racial equity and excellence in the education sector. We provide flexible working environments where everyone feels relevant, valued and supported.

All applications must be submitted online. If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume by using the ‘apply’ button. In your cover letter we’d like to know:

• about you, your values, your whakapapa
• your interest and motivations for this role
• the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation.

The Ministry encourages all employees to be fully vaccinated although currently this is a voluntary requirement. There is no requirement to show evidence of your vaccine status as this role is not covered by the Public Health (Vaccinations) Order.

There is more information regarding this role in the position description attached.

For further information, please contact Pennie Muldoon at 07 349 7464 and/or email [email protected].

Applications close on 31 July 2022.